Lust and Henry Atkin guns

Henry Atkin learned to make guns while apprenticed to his father - the first gun maker employed by Purdey when they began their business in the early 19th century. After his apprenticeship he worked in the London gun trade (likely as an outworker) and began making guns under his own name in the late 19th century at the height of widespread participation in British shooting sports. His guns were based on the same design as the Purdey guns - the excellent sidelock design first developed by Fredrick Beesley. The quality of Atkin's guns earned him a loyal following and membership in the top tier of London gunmakers.

Henry died in 1907, but his firm continued making top quality guns and, in 1909, they began building guns incorporating modifications to the cocking system and ejectors, refinements on the 'Purdey" design. Over the years of the twentieth century the firm Henry Atkin Ltd. persisted through times fat and lean and kept their enviable reputation intact until 1960 when they merged with Grant and Lang, forming Atkin, Grant, and Lang, which survives to this day and is still making the improved '1909 Model' sidelock best gun.

 The Aktin (top) and Purdey compared.

In 1947 the doyen of British gun writers, Gough Thomas, ordered a 12 gauge Atkin and insisted that the gun be built "...to the highest prewar standards." He was very well satisfied in the gun delivered to him and shot it the rest of his life, often praising the gun in his writings.

Fast forward to me. I have been well aware of Atkin's guns for some time and was finally overwhelmed by my lust for another gun -- an lightweight, 12 gauge, spring opening, sidelock ejector Atkin gun.

This gun was made as the first gun of a consecutive pair in 1930. It has it's original 27" barrels and remains in proof after nearly 90 years of use. Weight is 6lbs., 3 oz. It is being exported from the UK and imported to the USA - a nearly incomprehensible process that reminds me of the famous 'chicken sandwich' scene from "Five Easy Pieces" with Jack Nicholson ordering a variation from the menu. I'll post up here when I do see the gun arrive.

Marksmanship for the bird hunter

Let me start by saying that I am not a great fan of Orvis. Having read most of what is available on the subject of shotguns and shooting I have found some texts that are very helpful in the practical application of technique for the upland bird hunter, and many, many that did not, or could not, distinguish between target shooting (trap, skeet, sporting clays) and the needs of the upland bird hunter. The Orvis Wing-Shooting Handbook does.

Looking for something to read last night I picked Bowlen's book from the shelf and re-read mytattered copy. Bruce Bowlen has a structured, simple approach that most bird hunters will find useful - especially those that, like me, like to carry a lightweight doublegun. 

In the early 90s I abandoned International Skeet and clays. I sold my heavy O/U target guns. I wanted to learn to shoot a light game gun well, and could not make adequate progress using the techniques that worked (mostly) for me when shooting targets in competition. I struggled to figure out how to effectively shoot a sub six pound SxS gun. Since a friend and fellow shooter, Jon Ogilvie, offered high level instruction, I also turned to him for help. After a period of years (I must be a slow learner) I evolved a personal style (a jumble of Move-Mount-Shoot and instinctive techniques) that allows me to shoot lightweight double guns reasonably well in most any field situation. I still have my off days, but I now have confidence that any bird in range is at risk.

If I had read Bowlen's book when I started in shooting truly lightweight guns at game birds in the early 80s, I would have suffered much less pain, sweat, cartridges, and embarrassment. Bruce writes clearly and lays out a clear, step-by-step method uncluttered by anecdote or self aggrandizement. This is a welcome relief from the run of the mill 'outdoor writer' for which I am very grateful. I recommend this book for any upland gunner, even one who has already figured most of it out. 

I also recommend a text by a pair of Brits, Shotgun Marksmanship by Percy Stanbury and G.L. Carlisle. This requires wading through the 'whilsts' and 'one musts' to get to the meat, but it is good.