MODERN SPORTING GUNS. By Christopher Austyn.

1994 1st edition. 4to (213 x 279mm). Pp128. Colour and b/w photographs. Black boards, spine titled in gilt.

Christopher Austyn examines in detail sporting guns manufactured since 1900. "Formerly made with Damascus barrels, today's 'best guns' have steel barrels; stocks are made from the finest walnut imported from a number of countries. Engravings can be seen at their best on, amongst others, Purdey guns with their delicate, understated arrangement of bouquets and scrolls, and in the bolder foliate scrolls on those guns made by Holland and Holland. Most of the finest are side-by-side sidelock ejector shotguns but round-action and an increasing number of over-and-under examples can be found. Among the finest double rifles are the .600s of which relatively few were made but they were often inlaid with special engravings of big game scenes; sometimes they have a diamond as a foresight, intended perhaps for an Indian Maharajah. Christopher Austyn goes on to discuss problem areas that a collector should look out for; these occur mainly as material or structural flaws; the question of 'proof' can also cause concern. ...Finally, he turns to the question of market influences and gives interesting examples, within price ranges, of guns and rifles sold at auction in recent years." Chapters include: Best English guns; Round action and over-and-under guns; Boxlocks and other sidelocks; Hammer guns and those guns illustrating the development of the modern English gun; Sporting rifles; Accessories; Problems; The market; Auction price guide; Engraving.