A small team of Gunmakers and black powder enthusiasts, some in almost full Victorian attire complete with tall top hats, assembled in the Ann Valley in Hampshire on a bright, breezy and occasionally showery September day to try their hand on partridges with mid 19th Century muzzle loaders.
Amongst the expected clouds of black powder smoke a number of game was cleanly dispatched by the novice muzzle loaders. Aided and abetted at a social distance, Liveryman Jamie Ede’s team of experts and enthusiasts, tutored the shooters in the art whilst themselves joining in the odd fullisade with their own weapons.
The Master and Renter Warden, with Honorary Curator David Williams (imaged below) in fine, but crumpled top hat, along with Francis Lovel and host Jamie Ede beautifully displayed these weapon’s effectiveness. All enjoyed a day with firearms proofed some two centuries earlier, but retained in fine working condition.
A day out to be recommended and many thanks must go to Jamie and his team for putting it on.
