Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2019 15:28:35 GMT
The Game Fair
The weather was varied, the crowds reasonable and the organisation and facilities adequate. I heard a good bit of griping from trade stands about a raft of issues but, in general, I think most people found it worthwhile attending.
I certainly enjoyed it and did a little business too. I sincerely hope it continues to build momentum as it is the one event we have where every facet of the shooting community and gun trade get together. Without it, for all its faults, we would be more fragmented and worse off.
All the major auctioneers were there: Southams, Bonhams, Holt’s and Gavin Gardiner. The Game Fair is an opportunity for the auctioneers to engage with the public and show off some of the lots in their upcoming sales and perhaps pick up some business from people who would not otherwise come face-to-face with an auctioneer to discuss the possibility of buying or selling.
Holt’s were kind enough to provide refuge and refreshment for me and my band of stragglers every evening, before we wandered off to our ‘glamping’ spot, which was not at all ‘glam’ but served its purpose and avoided drives to and from outside accommodation each day. I’d do it again, although I’m not sure my companions would!
Credit to Nick Bongers and Josh Povey for their cooking prowess on the BBQ and to the younger members of the Holt family – and Donald (Don Juan) Dallas – for providing the entertainment. My indelible memory of this year’s Game Fair was Donald taking a swig from his lager and saying to one of the girls, across the table; “You know, if I was fifty-four, I’d ask you out”.
Gun dealers who reported a slow start to sales were generally happier by the end of Saturday. There was certainly some horse trading going on over beers behind the scenes most evenings and I came home with three new guns for clients.
The mood around the stands was besieged, as we reeled from multiple attacks on our sport: lead shot, grouse shooting, pheasant releasing and food marketing all took flak in the media during the Fair.
The Fieldsports stand provided a welcome respite with awards recognising the good work being carried out on our behalf and in our defence by the likes of The British Game Alliance and Owen Williams. It was pleasing to see bit of well-deserved recognition being given.
It was good to see the efforts of the GTA, notably hosting a stage at which Gavin Gardiner talked to the audience about buying guns at auction and Simon West gave a fascinating demonstration of canon casting, with actual molten metal and sand-casting moulds. I presented a case for customising vintage guns by starting with a very high condition action and re-stocking and re-barrelling it as a bespoke project.
As it happens, I later found a perfect candidate (an 1894 Purdey) at Elderkin’s and took it back to base to re-build for an American customer. It really is a good way to buy a bespoke Purdey for thirty grand, instead of a hundred-and-forty.
If you think about it, most people who buy a new Purdey opt for the classic rose and scroll engraving and a standard game gun configuration. That being the case, only the stock dimensions, barrel length and choke vary much from one gun to the next.
Auctions have often been very good places to source actions for these projects, as they frequently contain guns with thin walls or damaged stocks
IF THIS IS YOUR FAVOURIT FORUM TOO! Post your opinion below PLS. Your gun friends in here like to know!
The weather was varied, the crowds reasonable and the organisation and facilities adequate. I heard a good bit of griping from trade stands about a raft of issues but, in general, I think most people found it worthwhile attending.
I certainly enjoyed it and did a little business too. I sincerely hope it continues to build momentum as it is the one event we have where every facet of the shooting community and gun trade get together. Without it, for all its faults, we would be more fragmented and worse off.
All the major auctioneers were there: Southams, Bonhams, Holt’s and Gavin Gardiner. The Game Fair is an opportunity for the auctioneers to engage with the public and show off some of the lots in their upcoming sales and perhaps pick up some business from people who would not otherwise come face-to-face with an auctioneer to discuss the possibility of buying or selling.
Holt’s were kind enough to provide refuge and refreshment for me and my band of stragglers every evening, before we wandered off to our ‘glamping’ spot, which was not at all ‘glam’ but served its purpose and avoided drives to and from outside accommodation each day. I’d do it again, although I’m not sure my companions would!
Credit to Nick Bongers and Josh Povey for their cooking prowess on the BBQ and to the younger members of the Holt family – and Donald (Don Juan) Dallas – for providing the entertainment. My indelible memory of this year’s Game Fair was Donald taking a swig from his lager and saying to one of the girls, across the table; “You know, if I was fifty-four, I’d ask you out”.
Gun dealers who reported a slow start to sales were generally happier by the end of Saturday. There was certainly some horse trading going on over beers behind the scenes most evenings and I came home with three new guns for clients.
The mood around the stands was besieged, as we reeled from multiple attacks on our sport: lead shot, grouse shooting, pheasant releasing and food marketing all took flak in the media during the Fair.
The Fieldsports stand provided a welcome respite with awards recognising the good work being carried out on our behalf and in our defence by the likes of The British Game Alliance and Owen Williams. It was pleasing to see bit of well-deserved recognition being given.
It was good to see the efforts of the GTA, notably hosting a stage at which Gavin Gardiner talked to the audience about buying guns at auction and Simon West gave a fascinating demonstration of canon casting, with actual molten metal and sand-casting moulds. I presented a case for customising vintage guns by starting with a very high condition action and re-stocking and re-barrelling it as a bespoke project.
The Holt’s team enjoyed a successful weekend of trade and discussion at Hatfield House
Bonhams were among the exhibitors attracting the attentions of visitors to the Game Fair in July
If you think about it, most people who buy a new Purdey opt for the classic rose and scroll engraving and a standard game gun configuration. That being the case, only the stock dimensions, barrel length and choke vary much from one gun to the next.
Auctions have often been very good places to source actions for these projects, as they frequently contain guns with thin walls or damaged stocks
IF THIS IS YOUR FAVOURIT FORUM TOO! Post your opinion below PLS. Your gun friends in here like to know!
