Words by Blair Balment
Another season is well underway and with Christmas just around the corner, the obvious question comes at us from the other half, family and friends: "What would you like for Christmas?" Well, if you’re anything like me - shooting daft - it usually revolves around another question: “What do I need for my next sporting adventure?”
Alternatively, you might be unable to think of anything you need, but you’re looking for inspiration as to something you really want. Or, maybe, you’ve got a shooting-mad loved one you’re struggling to find the perfect gift for. In any of these cases we have the perfect solution for you: I've been scouring the Fine Shooting Accessories website and have picked out some of my favourite items to help inspire you.
Cowhide boot bag - from £695
I personally love boot bags; slipping your wet or muddy boots off and having somewhere to store them in your vehicle while keeping all the other kit and caboodle clean makes life so much easier.
There are loads on the market but few as stunning as these and they make a brilliant addition to any luggage set; a cowhide leather bag to match your other luggage - a piece that really stands out from the crowd. It’s full leather, tall enough for wellies, with a strong double zip on the front flap for easy access and with the important wipe-clean inside.
The boot bag can be fully customised to your specifications, with a choice of leather type and colours including Oxblood, Conker and Dark & Light Havana - choose your own thread colour and even add embossed initials to complete the look.
Leather loadmaster - from £350
This is an excellent bit of kit. Having owned one for over 6 years, I now can't shoot without it, on the peg or walked up. It’s perfect for those partridge or pheasant days that don't justify double gunning or a stuffer.
The simple gravity-fed cartridge feeder drops a single or pair into an easily accessible slot for you to pull out and reload, quickly and smoothly - no more digging in pockets for cartridges, no more bulging pockets or miss shapen jackets.
What's more, they look great and are available in a wide choice of leather colours along with strap options: a stylish accessory for your peg that will also speed up your reloading.
Travelling take-down case - £1,050
Another beautiful addition to your luggage set. We have all been there - gun slip over the shoulder as you walk into hotel the night before a shoot with the general public looking on alarmed at the sight… Avoid all that with this discreet made-to-measure case. Constructed from the best leathers with a brushed pig-skin interior, they can be made to house a single gun or pairs of guns on request.
The internal, removable sleeves for your stock and barrels are made to measure and lined with a thick natural fleece to protect your gun, and have a full length zip.
As with the boot bag, this product can be fully customised with different leathers, including ostrich or more exotic leathers, along with a range of colours to select from. Again, you have the option to personalise the case with names or initials added to the oval.
Silver fluted fizz flute - £5,650
What's better on a shoot day than a glass of fizz? A glass of fizz served in these stunning guilded Britania silver fluted cups!
Truly decadent, these flutes ooze style, sophistication and tradition. With large hallmarks, weighing in at around 180 grams, 8cm in height and a capacity of 225ml these are the perfect elevenses partner.
Having been on a few shoots where these have been used they are always a talking point, the quality and the weight make these a delight to drink from - may I even say the fizz tastes better when drunk from these!
The leather case is made of best waxed Sedgewicks bridle leather in Dark Havana and is lined with a contrasting pigskin (usually dark cherry red) with the finished side towards the cups. The result of this is the case can safely be wiped over with a damp cloth – an important detail to prevent the silver from being damaged by any remnants of champers or sticky sloe gin!
Bespoke Exotic gun slip - from £400
What better way to make a statement than with a zebra or cowhide gun slip? I have a shooting companion who has the zebra skin slip and cartridge bag and I have to admit it looks very cool; the craftsmanship is superb and there’s no doubt as to which is his gun!
Attention to detail sets these gun slips apart from others - they are one-off pieces and can be made from any hide you have harvested yourself, to create a truly memorable accessory, or an ethically-sourced hide with all the relevant permits.
Silver running hares - £195
These stunning running hare bracelets are beautifully detailed with ruby or emerald eyes. A perfect accessory for your shooting outfit or any event, an ideal gift for the lady in your life.
Choose from running hares with ruby eyes and a feather charm at the end near the clasp fastening, or emerald eyes with a small leaf charm near the clasp. Or maybe Father Christmas could bring both… can you tell my good lady wife has had some input into this article?!
Lothian 10 position finder - £750
Drawing peg numbers is the official opening to any shoot day, so you may as well begin the day as you mean to go on - in style - with these beautiful Sterling silver peg pullers.
Each of the 10 hallmarked silver shotguns - which measure 60mm in length and are beautifully detailed - is clearly marked with a peg number on one side of the stock.
They’re housed in a black Morocco leather case lined with purple pigskin, the outside of which can be gold embossed with your initials or the name of a shoot.
Grouse centre piece - £3,891
Grouse are rightly known ass ‘The king of game birds’, and what better way to honour these incredible creatures than these exquisite solid silver table centres.
These are stunning pieces, with the cock bird measuring 13.5cm tall and 14.5 cm from his tail to the tip of his wattles, and weighing 540 grams. Standing next to him we have the hen, a little more dainty at 11.5cm high and 14cm from beak to tail; she weighs 475 grams. Having these as your centre piece will make you the envy of everyone and make your shoot lunches that little bit more stylish.
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