The image of the classic British shotgun is almost without fail that of a dainty, well-made side-by-side in the hands of a nattily attired hunter in the game field. Sometimes, the gent carrying the gun may have been accompanied by a second, slightly more humbly dressed individual, also carrying a gun with a cartridge bag slung over his shoulder. This was the loader with the gentleman shooter’s second gun, and in many instances, the guns were a matching pair by one of the famous London gunmakers.
The British shotgun has another side to it as well, though. Not every shotgun to have left the showroom in England and Scotland in bygone times was a best-quality sidelock. In fact, many were decidedly humbler in appearance and decoration, and over the years, the British catered to virtually every taste and budget. To put this in perspective, let’s look at what the British made and how they did it.
ACTIONS
We have already mentioned the sidelock action. Gunmaking-wise, it was the top of the pyramid for the British. With very few exceptions, these were usually the finest and most expensive models produced by the various makers. Fine wood and extensive engraving were hallmarks of the side-lock. The well-to-do and the cream of British
