Tour Holland & Holland on DVD

Ever wonder what makes a "best" gun best? Or the processes that go into making a best gun? Or how much of one is still handcrafted? Or simply why best guns cost so much? If you're one of the fortunate few who can order a best gun, then a factory tour reserved for clients will answer all of those questions. For those with less cash at hand, however, the new documentary DVD "A Look Inside Holland & Holland: The Royal Gunmaker" provides the next best thing. The DVD offers a contemporary firsthand look at the entire manufacturing process at H&H's London factory at Kensal Green.

Made with the full cooperation of the company, it was filmed by director Billy Payn with assistance from Peter Boxall, Holland's manufacturing manager from 1990 to '99 and its manufacturing director from '99 to 2005. During his tenure, Boxall was responsible for introducing state-of-the-art CAD/CAM and CNC technology to Holland's, helping modernize the firm's production methods. He also was instrumental in assisting development of the new Holland models that have appeared during the past decade and a half. Introductions by Daryl Greatrex, H&H Managing Director, and Russell Wilkin, technical director in charge of gunmaking, begin the 90-minute program. Pocket histories of each of the major gun and rifle models follow, and then the scene shifts to try-gun fittings with famed shooting instructor Ken Davies at H&H's Northwood shooting grounds. This is followed by a primer by Boxall on selecting walnut before the DVD dives into the gunmaking process, beginning with the machine shop. One message that rings clear is that even in this era of high-tech manufacturing, traditional craftsmanship remains at the heart of best British gunmaking-and this is the focus of most of the program's 12 chapters. Starting with craftsmen in the barrel shop, the tour progresses-in the approximate order that a gun is built-through to the action shop, and then to the stocking shop, to barrel regulators, to in-house engravers, and finally to the finishing shop. Also included are four short bonus scenes: a short on Damascus barrels, a visit to the repair shop, a primer on spill boring, and more on proper gunmounting technique with Ken Davies. Overall, the DVD is a very high-quality production that befits its subject matter. It took four months to film and eight to edit, camera angles are innovative, and image quality is excellent. There is intentionally very little narration by the producers and, refreshingly, no focus on the interviewers themselves. Instead the craftsmen-and their skills-are allowed to be the real stars of the show. Their quiet pride is evident in their words and made manifest in their handwork. Every chapter will be absorbing for those interested in traditional gunmaking techniques; in particular, I found it fascinating how ubiquitous smoke lamps remain in helping craftsmen achieve the perfect tolerances best guns are defined by. Also worth special note are the chapters on regulating guns and double rifles, something Holland guns have long been renowned for. Today more than 800 hours of hand-craftsmanship are needed to complete an H&H Royal. After watching this DVD you'll know why. "A Look Inside Holland & Holland: The Royal Gunmaker" is available for £24.95 ($50 at press time) plus shipping from Gunmakers Row, Broomfield, Station Rd., Pontesbury, Shropshire, England SY5 0QY; www. gunmakersrow.co.uk.