THE SHOOTING FIELD: ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS WITH HOLLAND and HOLLAND. By Peter King.

1985 1st edition. 4to (200 x 293mm). Pp176. Colour and b/w photographs and illustrations. Maroon boards, spine titled in gilt.

"This book tells the story of the London gun trade from the earliest days, and particularly from 1835 through the eyes of the most famous maker, Holland and Holland, and of their customers, their rivals, and their craftsmen." Chapters include: Holland and Holland 1835-1905; The London and Birminghan guntrade; The Field Trials of 1883; Two wars, two depressions, Holland and Holland 1905-1959; The events of 1959, 1960-1985; At the factory; The Proof House; The School; A diversion on clothing; Great guns, some Edwardians at sport, and royalty; The days of the Raj; Big game hunting; Punt guns; The anatomy of elegance - 'No harm in a new pair of guns each season.' Appendices give, a curious use for punt guns, gun numbers, records relating to weapons made prior to 1893, extracts from the notebook 'Experimental'. A fascinating and highly readable book.