By Douglas Tate
If you associate Scottish gunmaking with trim round-actions, you are not alone. However, for those who champion a broader view of Caledonian firearms, there is Buchan Guns, which offers both an Italian-style triggerplate over/under and a London-style sidelock designed, built and finished in Scotland.
Managing Director Grant Buchan (pronounced “Buck-in”) learned much from a gunsmith named Eric Burnett. “Eric has been my inspiration from the beginning,” Buchan said. “I would pop into Eric’s workshop, and he would show me his work in progress.” Buchan supplemented hands-on knowledge with a college course in mechanical engineering, and when he met design engineer Stuart Sangster, the firm took off. “[Sangster’s] skills at reverse engineering and model creation were amazing” according to Buchan. “Very quickly our designs started to take shape, and Stuart totally fell in love with the mechanics of fine guns. In November 2015 I decided to ask Stuart to join our company full time and between us have a proper bash at doing our guns.”
One collaboration is the Firelock, an over/under with a V-spring, triggerplate action like a Perazzi but one without a removable trigger group. (“Realistically, who removes them anyway?” Buchan said.) Another is the Balmoral, a sidelock O/U with chopper-lump barrels.
Stocking is carried out by Luke Bromley, formerly of David McKay Brown. Scottish-thistle house-style engraving was designed by Buchan’s sister Louise but is executed in Italy by Stefano Pedretti. (Custom engraving is available on request.) Other Scottish-themed elements include a carved thistle forend tip and a handmade best-quality tweed-and-leather gun case.
All guns come cased with accessories, and prices are $85,000 for the Firelock with chopper-lump barrels ($76,800 with monoblock barrels) and $127,000 for the Balmoral.
For more information, contact US importer Griffin & Howe.
