Immerse yourself in the legacy of Symes & Wright, the esteemed London gunmaking firm founded in 1987 by Peter Symes and Alex Wright, formerly of James Purdey & Sons. Though their journey was brief, ceasing trading in April 1995, their impact on the industry was profound. Symes & Wright quickly rose to prominence, hailed for their exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs that revitalized the London gunmaking tradition.
As the founders, Peter Symes and Alex Wright set out to create masterpieces that would redefine the standards of gunmaking excellence. With a total production of only 50 guns, which included side-by-side models with serial numbers reaching to 36 and over-and-under models up to serial number 14, this rare piece represents the epitome of exclusivity and prestige.
We are proud to offer Symes & Wright's First Over/Under shotgun known as the Bird of Prey gun, meticulously crafted in 1990. It was used by Symes & Wright in all of the firm's initial promotional and marketing material. Built in 12 gauge as a game shotgun with 28 inch blacked demi-bloc steel round barrels that are nicely fit with ejectors, chambered for 2-3/4" cartridges, choked improved cylinder and improved cylinder, decorated with a gold band on the breech ends and has a steel front sight bead atop a solid, tapered, and stippled matte top rib. The Purdey-Woodward style sidelock action is fitted with a single triple-pull trigger that is protected by an engraved and right-side rolled-edge trigger guard extending to a long engraved bottom strap with its serial number gold-inlaid, gold-lined cocking indicators and non-automatic safety with "SAFE" gold-inlaid ahead of the engraved and checkered safety slide. The top lever is engraved and the left side of the thumbpiece is checkered. The gun is fit with a well figured, rich in color deluxe quality Turkish walnut stock with a hard rubber grip capped pistol hand grip, and drop points. The length of pull is 14-3/8" to a checkered butt and is cast off 1/4" at face. The game style fore-end is equipped with an Anson style push button release. Weighing in at 7 Lbs. - 10 oz. The gun is completed by the maker's fitted oak and leather trunk case with brass corners and canvas outer cover.
Exquisite Engravings by Rashid El Hadi:
Prepare to be enchanted by the intricate engravings adorning every surface of this masterpiece, skillfully executed by the renowned master engraver Rashid El Hadi. Each detail, meticulously engraved onto the coin-finished surfaces of the gun tells a story of the hunt with unparalleled elegance and precision through fantasy-style game scenes with supporting bold relief foliate scrolls and bird grotesques. From the majestic falcon soaring through the sky bombing an unsuspecting pigeon on the right lockplate to the graceful hawk in pursuit of its prey over a grassy field on the left lockplate, and an eagle with a triumphant catch of a trout in its talons flying back to its roost. Proclaiming the maker in Old English Script in banners on both lockplates is engraved 'SYMES & WRIGHT' while the bottom of the action body is similarly engraved 'SYMES & WRIGHT / LONDON'. The bottom of the right lockplate is signed 'Rashid El Hadi' in script while the bottom of the left lockplate is simply signed 'Rash' also in script. These engravings bear witness to the unmatched skill and artistry of Rashid El Hadi.
Preserving a Tradition of Excellence:
Symes & Wright was more than just a gunmaking firm – it was a testament to tradition, innovation, and uncompromising quality. With a team of the most talented artisans in the British gun trade, the firm operated as a boutique maker, producing only a limited number of guns to the highest standards of craftsmanship. Their fresh perspective and commitment to excellence quickly established them as formidable competitors in the industry, breathing new life into a trade perceived as old-fashioned and stagnant.
Own a Piece of Gunmaking Legacy:
Embrace the opportunity to own a piece of gunmaking history with Symes & Wright's first over/under shotgun - the Bird of Prey gun. With its rich heritage, impeccable craftsmanship, and breathtaking engravings by Rashid El Hadi, this rare firearm is more than just a collectible – it's a tangible link to a firm epitomizing excellence and innovation in the art of gunmaking. Don't miss your chance to add this legendary piece to your collection and become a custodian of Symes & Wright's enduring legacy. As the company proudly declared in one of its advertisements, "We are not trading on a reputation established over a century ago, nor do we waste energy marketing luxury goods associated with our name. Our business is quite simply building the finest sporting guns money can buy – without compromise, without exception."