FEAST FOR THE EYES FRIDAY: GUNMAKING EDITION

For the mechanically inclined (or at least, interested), there are few things that lend themselves so well to high-quality video production as gunkaprocesses. Machines working at high speed, slowed down to a manageable visual framerate, macro shots showing the effects of a rasp’s effort, the vivid colour of a torch’s flame… it’s all great eye candy.

But in stumbling around the reams of video available on Youtube, we came across two similar videos from a couple familiar faces: Holland & Holland, and Beretta. Each video showcases the methodology involved in the making of both of these companies fine double-barreled shotguns in a truly artful form, but both videos also showcase the equally masterful, but equally opposite manner in which they build their guns.

As the Beretta video showcases, in the production of their fine SO-series of sidelock over-under guns, production hinges (no pun intended) on the marriage of new-world manufacturing methods including cold hammer forging barrels and five-axis CNC machining to old-world craftsmanship. It makes sense as Beretta themselves represent a similar marriage; as the world's oldest manufacturing company but one that still produces millions of thoroughly modern firearms for thoroughly modern customers. With a manufacturing history that started in 1526 with the manufacture of an order of gun barrels for the Arsenal of Venice, Beretta still today maintains a variety of military contracts, and as the video demonstrates they have obviously embraced modern technology without letting go of their storied past.

Holland & Holland on the other hand is English gunmaking at its finest. Although vastly newer, Holland & Holland was created with the express purpose of providing the discerning English shooter and hunter with the absolute best gun available, but the company's founder, Harris Holland, refused to follow in the footsteps of England's other storied gunmakers to achieve that goal. Today, Holland & Holland holds 51 patents; more than any other English gunmaker. But unlike Beretta, Holland & Holland's creativity is founded in the company's literal roots, as the various generations of Holland & Holland gunmakers use the familiar old ways to improve upon their famous double gun offerings.