WILLIAM MOORE & GREY GUNMAKERS, LONDON

 

The story of a famous London gunmaking brand, founded more than two hundred years ago and its rebirth in modern times.

Old or new – William Moore & Grey guns are made to last and to be your exclusive and reliable companion. Since 1808, William Moore & Grey manufactures outstanding and individual shotguns, rifles and pistols. Courtesy by William Moore & Grey.

In 1808, gunmaker William Moore started his business in London, having worked with Joseph Manton initially. His future partner, William Parker Grey, had been the manager of Joseph Manton’s gun company. Since 1820, Moore & Grey became the synonym for bespoke London best guns. King William IV appointed William Moore in 1836 as gunmaker ordinary, and William Moore & Grey continued to manufacture unique shotguns, rifles and pistols for Prince Albert and other distinguished clients. Prince Alberts pair of shotguns by William Moore is found at the Royal Collection in Sandringham today.

12 is a lucky number! Three William Moore & Grey 12 bore shotguns and 12 matchbox covers with the coat of arms of HRH Prince George, Duke of Kent. The pair of single barrel hammer guns was recently acquired by William Moore & Grey. The new London proofed 12 bore side-by-side gun is a modern classic and follows the tradition of William Moore & Grey.
12 is a lucky number! Three William Moore & Grey 12 bore shotguns and 12 matchbox covers with the coat of arms of HRH Prince George, Duke of Kent. The pair of single barrel hammer guns was recently acquired by William Moore & Grey. The new London proofed 12 bore side-by-side gun is a modern classic and follows the tradition of William Moore & Grey.
Vintage dueling pistols manufactured by William Moore & Grey, London.
An immaculate and exceptional 19th Century pistol by William Moore & Co., London. Gold and silver banded original brown barrel marked “William Moore & Co, Makers to Her Majesty” (Queen Victoria). Lock with safety catch signed William Moore & Co., platinum safety plug. Fine and crisp engraved original blue parts. This gun was retailed in New York, by Henry Tomes & Co. on Broadway; William Moore guns (and later William Moore & Grey guns) were and are very popular in the United States. Part of the William Moore & Grey Collection.

The business expanded – also with a partnership in Birmingham and the production of exclusive shotguns, express rifles and pistols was broadened: William Moore & Grey also retailed Tranter revolvers, Sharp’s patent derringers, Webley revolvers and Lee Metford sporting rifles.

Brand new William Moore & Grey 20 bore London proofed shotgun below three Tipping & Lawden Sharp‘s patent pistols. These vintage four-barreled pepperbox pistols used to be retailed by William Moore & Grey out of our Bond Street premises. One of these little guns was instrumental in the movie „Death on the Nile“, based on Agatha Christie‘s 1937 novel.
William Moore & Grey retailed Webley revolvers – history reloaded, available by appointment only.
One of the unique Webley revolvers with William Moore & Grey engraving. These guns are a reminiscence of the Webley revolvers retailed by William Moore & Grey almost a century ago. They are produced for international clients on request – a magnificent way to complete their collection and to match a revolver with one of the Moore & Grey shotguns or rifles.

Famous gunmakers like Henry Atkin or Frederick Beesley worked for William Moore & Grey before establishing their own renowned companies. In the Victorian times, gunmakers had the ambition to manufacture a gun that would last forever. Queen Victoria would receive up to ten personal letters per day, and the world was clearly different.

William Moore & Grey has purchased this magnificent pair of shotguns, previously owned by Viscount Allendale, for the William Moore & Grey Trust. The barrels are in a separate tray. The guns are very similar to the pair of shotguns made by William Moore & Grey for Prince Albert, to be seen in the Royal Collection at Sandringham.
A magnificent vintage gun by William Moore & Grey, 43 Bond Street, London. Very highly figured and immaculate 30” Damascus barrels, choked ¼ and ¼ , serial number 2543. Under lever action, non-ejector.
A marvellous William Moore & Grey pinfire hammergun with a striking resemblance to the pair of 14 bore William Moore & Grey guns made for H.R.H. Prince Albert. The pair is at the Royal Gunroom at Sandringham.

Today, William Moore & Grey Ltd. focusses on a limited production of around 12 guns per year. In line with the historic legacy, over and under and side by side shotguns, express rifles and bolt rifles are made to clients’ specifications. But also, some time-honoured Webley revolvers are refurbished and retailed, bearing the classic William Moore & Grey engravings. The production of guns is handled and coordinated by J.Roberts & Son. Paul Roberts, legendary gunmaker, hunter and former owner of Rigby’s, ensures that the tradition of William Moore & Grey is living on in reliable modern guns, ensuring the ambition of durability of Victorian times. “The William Moore & Grey bolt rifles are manufactured by us in England and reflect the grand tradition of best big game rifles. They are made to clients’ individual specifications and are available in a broad variety of calibres” explains Paul Roberts, honorary President of William Moore & Grey.

This William Moore & Grey .458 bolt rifle in the white is ready for the final touch.
A new William Moore & Grey 8mm express rifle, exhibited at the World Gunmakers Evening in 2018 at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in London.
A new 12 bore William Moore & Grey shotgun, London proofed, on a vintage case for Lord Mowbray’s William Moore & Grey gun.
new bespoke 12 bore London proofed shotguns with detachable sidelocks and 29“ monoblock barrels above a sterling silver card case with Queen Victoria‘s cypher. William Moore & Grey were gunmakers ordinary to HM King William IV, to HRH Prince Albert and to HRH the 2nd Duke of Cambridge.
new bespoke 12 bore London proofed shotguns with detachable sidelocks and 29“ monoblock barrels above a sterling silver card case with Queen Victoria‘s cypher. William Moore & Grey were gunmakers ordinary to HM King William IV, to HRH Prince Albert and to HRH the 2nd Duke of Cambridge.
A new William Moore & Grey 12 bore London proofed shotgun with 30 inch chopper lump barrels and detachable sidelocks.
A new William Moore & Grey 12 bore London proofed shotgun with 30 inch chopper lump barrels and detachable sidelocks.
A new William Moore & Grey 12 bore London proofed shotgun with 30 inch chopper lump barrels and detachable sidelocks.
William Moore & Grey Ltd. A new 20 bore o/u London proofed shotgun.
William Moore & Grey Ltd. A new 20 bore o/u London proofed shotgun
William Moore & Grey Ltd. A new 20 bore o/u London proofed shotgun
The engraving on one of the new 12 bore London proofed o/u guns. The partridge has been used by William Moore & Grey as engraving pattern and logo for more than a century.
One of William Moore & Grey*s unique 12 bore over and under shotguns, London proofed and perfectly in line with their tradition.
The Property of a Lady. Stunning 20 bore London proofed William Moore & Grey o/u shotgun. Unique piece, perfectly balanced. A special kind of jewellery!

And William Moore & Grey Ltd. is also a compelling and modern company supporting young talents. Olympic Skeet shooter and William Moore & Grey brand ambassador Faye Wills will use a new sporting shotgun designed specifically for female shooters from 2019 onwards.

William Moore & Grey is proud to sponsor Olympic Skeet Shooter Faye Wills. “We see it as our obligation to support young athletes, in particular this exceptional and talented young lady”.

“We cannot focus just on the past. Whilst the collection of William Moore & Grey guns held by the WMG Trust is a fountain of inspiration, we are also keen to encourage young shooters and female shooters to use our new guns.” says Michael Reiss von Filski, Chairman of William Moore & Grey. The company combines hence the tradition and legacy of the past by a very limited and bespoke production together with a state-of-the-art approach. It doesn’t surprise therefore that William Moore & Grey has more than 20’000 followers on Linkedin and on Instagram, who enjoy posts of vintage and new guns by this innovative and traditional gunmaker.

A bespoke 12 bore over and under gun, London proofed. William Moore & Grey Ltd.

Prices of William Moore & Grey guns

Side by Side Shotguns from £21,000

Over and Under Shotguns from £5,000 – £25,000

Express Rifles, 8mm IRS from £10,000

Bolt Rifle, different calibres from £12,000

Webley Revolvers from £2,800

www.wmg-london.com

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