On Thursday 12th February the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers were honoured to hold an event at the Royal Kennel Club in Piccadilly. There was a drinks reception, a tour, talks, and a lovely dinner. The Gunmakers also presented the Royal Kennel Club with a gift.
In 1859 the first ever organised dog show in Great Britain was arranged by William Rochester Pape, Gunmaker, with the prize for class winners being a Pape Shotgun.
Founded in 1873, The Royal Kennel Club is the United Kingdom’s governing body for dog registration and pedigree breed standards. Established to bring order, integrity and consistency to the rapidly growing world of dog breeding and showing, it has since become one of the most respected canine institutions in the world. From maintaining the official breed standards to overseeing Crufts, the largest and most prestigious dog show globally, the Club plays a central role in preserving gun dog heritage and promoting responsible ownership.
Our own Professor Williams and the remarkable Heidi Hudson, the Kennel Club’s curator and archivist, gave talks on the origin and importance of Pape, gun dogs, dog shows, and Crufts.
The aforementioned gift was presented, a Pape shotgun made in the year of the first dog show! A magnificent addition to the clubs collection to sit beneath an image of Pape. A mark of the importance of gunmaking through the ages and its impact on today’s society.
Our thanks to Bill Blacker MAsR.G who purchased the Pape Shotgun, and with the help of Carl Langton MAsR.G, deactivated and restored it. Bill and Carl are seen presenting the gun to Heidi. Also in the images is our Master, Nicole Brocklebank-Fowler, and the Kendall Memorial Trophy.
