Discover Delaney & Sons: European shooting specialists
One thing covid has made more apparent to me is that if there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, do it now. You never know what the tomorrow will bring.
Make some memories at Delaney & Sons 2017 Beacons Shoot
If shooting in the UK is on your bucket list, once of the best ways to experience it is by booking a trip with Delaney & Sons.
Make some memories at Delaney & Sons 2017 Beacons Shoot
They offer driven shooting for pheasants and grouse on famous estates in England, Wales, Scotland as well as driven partridge in Spain. They’re offering a full range of trips for the 2021 season.
Location of Delaney & Sons 2021 MacNab Challenge. Amhuinnsuidhe Castle is a 55,000 acre sporting paradise.
I’ve known Sean & Liz Delaney since they started their shooting trips to the UK. I’ve watched their business grow and their clients list expand.
The Harding Shoot with Delaney & Sons, traditional shooting in Wales, tailored for Americans
They’ve done this by offering clients great sporting experiences at prices that are more affordable than what British companies charge for the same thing. See for yourself what people say about Delaney & Sons in this long list of testimonials.
We are extremely excited to share with you the details for a new shoot at Finca Fuentelfresno, located along the Eastern edge of the Cordilla Central Mountain Range, approximately forty-five minutes northeast of Madrid. This will be a traditional partridge shoot, and all shooting will be conducted within the confines of the Estate, with different drives every day. This is truly a rare and unique opportunity. Let us know soon if you are interested in this elegant and all things Spanish driven shooting experience!
Best, Sean and Liz Delaney
The Shoot
Fuentelfresno consists of 35,000 acres of ground filled with olive groves, almond trees, vineyards, farmland, and rolling hills, all providing excellent habitat with perfect topography for a traditional shoot. Birds are driven by a team of up to forty beaters over narrow valleys for the guns waiting below. We will shoot three back-to-back 400 bird days. This is challenging shooting in a breathtaking setting!
The Lodge
We will spend the entire week at Finca Fuentelfresno as the guests of Carlos de Llanza Mala, its current custodian. The Lodge, which was built by Carlos’ father about sixty years ago, manages to be rustic and elegant at the same time, a perfect setting for a shooting party. All rooms are en suite and comfortable, with excellent views of the gardens and the landscape beyond. The Main Lounge has a pair of beautiful fireplaces, a perfect spot for a sundowner. Our team will have exclusive use of the premises, and all of our meals will be prepared in-house by our chef Anna. The food is beyond compare.
Shoot Price – $9,750
Delicious paella made for the team after a day of shooting.
Includes: Transportation to and from Madrid airport and throughout the week, three days of driven shooting (with an anticipated bag of 400 birds per day), lodging at the elegant Fuentelfresno, guns (if needed) and ammunition, traditional tapas and shoot lunches on the estate, gourmet dinners each evening, alcohol, game licenses, liability insurance, and gun permits (for your guns or ours).
Excludes: Flights, gratuities to chargor (loader) and secretario (€80 each per day), and gratuities to hotel staff (€100 total).
Non-Shooting or Peg-Sharing Spouses: Non-shooting spouses are welcome to join us for an additional $1,750. This includes four nights’ lodging, all meals, alcohol, and ground transportation. Two days of sightseeing. Spouses are welcome to share pegs on some or all days for the same rate.
“This family shoot (Finca Fuentelfresno) is favoured by many of the royal houses of Europe and King Juan Carlos, although no longer young, still takes 6 days during the year when he comes, either with friends and family, or as a guest of friends. The photos displayed in the lodge go from Caroline of Monaco (who on a yearly basis takes a team of ladies to shoot with her), to Dutch Crown Prince William Alexander van Oranje, and the Grand Duke of Luxembourg …”
Alfonso XIII of Spain, pigeon shooter & owner of many Purdeys
Provenance is tricky, especially when it comes to old guns. Some provenances can boost a shotgun’s value many times over, while other barely register at all with buyers.
Fo example: Would you pay $60,000 more for a shotgun made for King Alfonso XIII.
King who?
Yeah – that’s the problem. King Alfonso XIII was Spain’s monarch from 1886-1931. While he was a big deal in his day, I don’t know anyone who cares about him now. So it’s hard to say if a gun connected to him is worth a $60,000 premium.
That’s just what’s going on with the James Purdey & Sons 12g hammergun you see here. This side-by-side came up for sale in Christie’s, December 2014 sale:
JAMES PURDEY & SONS BEST BARRE ENGRAVE SIDELOCK SXS HAMMER SHOTGUN 12 GAUGE KING ALFONSO OF SPAIN
The hammer price plus premium: $35,370. It looks to me like whoever has the gun now connected it to King Alfonso before or after he bought it. It certainly is a spectacular shotgun, and it appears to be in excellent condition. Regardless, though, the big question is: Is its connection to a King worth sixty large?
JAMES PURDEY & SONS BEST BARRE ENGRAVE SIDELOCK SXS HAMMER SHOTGUN 12 GAUGE KING ALFONSO OF SPAIN
More info from the seller:
“Purdey Hammer gun sn. 19395 came from a collection of Spanish Royal Firearms, from the household of King Alfonso XIII of Spain. The makers have confirmed that this hammergun was completed in April 1909 for the King of Spain, Alfonso XIII. The records are specific that Barre was the engraver. The gun is covered in finely chiseled low relief with foliate scrollwork illustrating monsters and masks upon a blackened background. Included is a gold inlaid escutcheon with the Spanish Royal Coat of Arms.
JAMES PURDEY & SONS BEST BARRE ENGRAVE SIDELOCK SXS HAMMER SHOTGUN 12 GAUGE KING ALFONSO OF SPAIN
It is believed that the King used this gun in winning the Tiro-Pichon De Madrid in May 1921. Our provenance includes a picture of the King aside the trophy given for his win and holding what appears to be this gun. Purdey awarded the winner of the Tiro-Pichon De Madrid a prize gun that was to duplicate this piece, however Barre did not engrave the later gun as he was dead by 1921.”
ARRIETA MODEL 871 16GA SIDE-BY-SIDE DOUBLE SHOTGUN
Arrieta is one of Spain’s best known gunmakers, and they’ve been making quality side-by-sides for decades. The 871 is there version of a Boss Round Body, and it features a sleek-looking rounded action and stock. William Larkin Moore lists a new 871 at $10,500, and I doubt it would be as nice as the one you see here.
Do you love the idea of ordering a bespoke shotgun? A lot of people do. But there can be a downside to a having a shotgun custom made just for you: After all your anticipating and money spent, what you specified on paper may not be what arrives at your door.
That’s one reason I like used doubles. With a used shotgun, you know what you’re getting (at least once your gunsmith has had a chance to look it over). Even if you buy a side-by-side or over-under online, you should be able to get your money back in a couple of weeks if there’s a problem.
12 gauge Arrieta Double Barrel Sidelock Shotgun
So you’re thinking about “bespeaking” a 12 gauge Spanish sidelock, I would take a long look at the Arrieta you see here instead. I’m not sure if it’s 557, a 570, or something between. But whatever model it is, it sure looks like a good deal for $2,999 – especially when you consider that a brand new 12 gauge 557 costs $4,999.
If you agree, now. This shotgun is at Gunauction.com, and the listing ends September 14, 2013 19:57:00 PT. Here’s more about it from the seller:
12 gauge Arrieta Double Barrel Sidelock Shotgun
12 gauge Arrieta Double Barrel Sidelock Shotgun: This elegant gun is one of Arrieta’s best guns! It’s a 7 pin Holland & Holland style lock. It has has a case colored receiver and is beautifully engraved with ultra fine scroll engraving, gold plated removable sidelocks, double trigger (front hinged), auto ejectors and so much more. Notice all the details like N/S screws, the beautiful case color, the fit of wood to metal and so on. This particular gun is “as built” with the exception of an added pad (owner is tall), no wood was cut off. It is a 12 bore choked light modified and improved modified. 6 pounds 12 ounces. Stats: LOP 15″, BBls 27&3/4″, DAH 2&1/4″, DAT 7&1/4″, OAL 45&1/4.
CSMC A.H. Fox FE special 20 gauge double barrel shotgun
CSMC Fox FE Special 20g side-by-side double barrel shotgun: Spectacular A.H. Fox FE special, made by Connecticut Shotgun. Near new. 28″ bbl., 14 1/4″ lop (from back trigger), 3″ chambers, xtrfull/xtrfull, exhibition wood. Cased with all accessories. Outstanding deep relief engraving by master engraver Bryson Gwinell. Priced under what it would cost to reproduce, a chance for a real beauty at a DE price. Price: $23,000
Arrizabalaga 16 Gauge Self Opener SLE with 30” Barrels:
Arrizabalaga 16 Gauge Self Opener SLE with 30” Barrels: Pedro Arrizabalaga is known as the king of Spanish gunmakers and this beautiful best grade16 gauge proves it. With Woodward-style engraving and arcaded fences this gun has the looks and the handling characteristics knowledgeable shooters demand. It is fully engraved with great case coloring. *** Manufactured in 1999 it has a self-opening action, double triggers, 30” barrels with 2-3/4” chambers, automatic ejectors, and a solid concave rib. The gun has bushed strikers and the front trigger is articulated. The chokes are Improved Cylinder and Modified. The bluing is 99%. *** Stocked in a very highly figured piece of Circassian walnut with dark chocolate swirls in a caramel colored background. It has a straight hand grip and splinter forearm. The checkering is sharp and carved out to around 28 lines per inch. The length of pull is 15-1/4” over a 1” leather pad. Great shooting dimensions of 1-3/8” X 2-1/16”. Weighs 6lb 10 oz. *** Comes cased in its original oak and leather brass-cornered case with maker’s label including mahogany cleaning rod and attachments, snap caps and oil bottle. All this fits snugly in a codura outer cover to protect the leather. Replacement cost is $26,950 plus $1,550 for the case. Price: $16,750
ARMY & NAVY 12 BORE Side-by-Side Double RIFLE- FULL RIFLED
ARMY & NAVY 12 BORE RIFLE- FULL RIFLED- LONDON N. P. in 2009 to 2 3/4″- EXC COND INSIDE & OUT- 80% ORIG CASE COLORS- 80% ENGRAVING:#518, Made Expressly For “The Army & Navy Cooperative Society Limited” London: A super nice Bar Action Sidelock 12 Bore Rifle with Non-Rebounding locks, Jones Screw-Grip Action Underlever; 26″ damascus barrels, London Nitro Proof in 2009 to 70mm (2 3/4″) and 18.9mm on the right barrel and 18.8mm on the left, Full length rib with 1 standing & 4 folding express sights that are platinum lined & sighted at 150 – 200 – 250 & 300 yards, Percussion style fences, Wedge forend fastener, Steel engraved grip cap, No cheekpiece, Sling eyes, 14 1/2″ LOP over a full faced checkered horn buttplate, A deep 5 1/2″ butt from heel to toe ideal for a Big Bore, 10 lbs. 1 oz., Superb wood with excellent black/brown color & contrast, 80% coverage of very fine & well cut period scroll engraving including the hammers, top strap, lever, trigger guard, forend and grip cap. This classic vintage gun still retains an honest 80% original case colors, The wood absolutely appears with original finish and remains at 88-90%, The checkering is at 90%, The barrels were re-browned in London when nitro proved, The bores are absolute excellent to near excellent plus condition with square rifling the entire way and remain bright & shiny, The breech face retains 90% case colors and totally free of any pits at the strikers, The forend inside has 100% case colors, Both locks inside & out remain in excellent plus condition and have all the trappings of being built by gun lock maker John Stanton of Wolverhampton. The internal inletting looks as clean as the day it was cut and totally free of oil soak. The gun is quite accurate plus it will shoot off the shelf Winchester 1 ounce sabot slugs. This is flat out one good looking and extremely solid rifle in every respect from metal to wood with super bores. Here is first rate quality, style, grace, workmanship, handling and romance from a great period at the pinnacle of sporting guns in the last years of the 19th century. Price: $14,750.00
Ithaca SXS, double barrel shotgun in 28 gauge
Ithaca SXS shotgun in 28 GA: Wonderful Ithaca SXS shotgun in 28 GA with original 2 3/4″ chambers, LOP 14″ to an Ithaca butt plate, Choked Cyl-Mod (.000 and .014) Krupp steel barrels measuring 26″, double triggers. This is an all original shotgun with all original finish. Barrels and stock finish near 100% and CC at 50%+. Price: $5700
Arrizabalaga double barrel shotguns have a reputation for being some of the finest side-by-sides made in Spain. This little 28 gauge is a nice example of the kind of work they turn out. It looks like a pretty low-grade model that’s in excellent original condition. If you shoot a smaller-proportioned gun (yeah, I didn’t want to say you’re a small guy), this looks like a great deal on decent sidelock.
Say you were Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, and you wanted to give a friend a a set of four double barrel shotguns. What would you go with?
Garbi 103A 20 gauge shotgun, ordered by the King of Spain
When Juan Carlos ordered four side-by-side for the now broke, ex-billionaire Patricia Kluge, he went with Garbis 103As. Because Mrs. Kluge has fallen on hard times, you now have a chance to buy these guns for yourself. They’re being auctioned off by the Potomack Company on June 11th.
The Model 103A is a traditional game gun with Purdey style Rose & Scroll engraving that is completely done by hand. The action also has the traditional shaping improvements of a higher quality gun with beaded fences and sculpturing. The 103A also has an improved quality of wood and checkering.. New, these gun are about $18,000 a piece. Of course, I get they give Juan Carlos a deal.
