Latest News

News from John Dickson & Son - August 2025

August 2025

News Articles

The World Gunmakers Evening 2025,

Vintage Gun Inventory Update,

Dickson Selvyt Gun Socks,

UK Lead Ammunition Restrictions,

Shipyards and Shotguns

The World Gunmakers Evening 2025

John Dickson & Son recently enjoyed a fantastic evening attending The World Gunmakers Evening at The Savoy in London. We were able to show case some of our work from Daniel Fraser and John Dickson & Son, including a spectacular pair of Harry Kell engraved guns from 1919. A very enjoyable evening was had by all and it was a wonderful opportunity to introduce guests to Scotland’s oldest gun and rifle maker.

Vintage Gun Inventory Update

We hold the largest selection of pre-owned Dickson Round-Action guns and whether you are looking to grow your collection or upgrade your current sporting gun, John Dickson & Son has a superb range of pre-owned vintage guns from other Scottish gun and rifle makers. All guns have been prepared through our workshop making them available for immediate sale and delivery, and working with our export partners we can facilitate sending your purchase to a nominated firearms dealer in your country. We have consignments leaving for the USA on a monthly basis.

Recently added to our inventory:

We also have some distinguished Dickson Guns currently going through the workshop being prepared for sale:

John Dickson & Son Round-Action - Built 1895, 12 gauge, 29in sleeved barrels, oak leaf carved
John Dickson & Son Round-Action - Built 1904, 12 gauge, beautiful 29in damascus barrels
John Dickson & Son Round-Action - Built 1927, 12 gauge, 29in steel barrels, one family ownership from new
John Dickson & Son boxlock - Built 1939, 12 gauge, 27in steel barrels

If we can assist with any further information on the guns above, please get in touch using our contact form Here

Please note that the vast majority of our guns find new homes

before they even make it to our website

so get in touch if you are looking for something specific.

UK Lead Ammunition Restrictions

The UK Government has announced plans to restrict the use of lead in ammunition. The measures, outlined by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), will include limits on lead content in both shot and bullets, with legislation expected by summer 2026. The restrictions will be phased in over a three-year period following the introduction of legislation, rather than the five years set out in an official report last year. A three-year transition period will allow the shooting and hunting sectors time to adopt alternatives such as steel, tungsten or bismuth-based ammunition. The Government said it will continue to engage with the shooting industry throughout the transition and that outdoor shooting ranges with appropriate risk-management measures in place will be exempt from the restriction.

John Dickson & Son Selvyt Gun Socks

We have just introduced our new Dickson two-piece gun socks, which provide a soft and supple, non-scratch cover for your gun. These covers are manufactured here in the UK by Selvyt, the trusted premium cleaning and polishing cloth manufacturer. A perfect way to compliment your gun and add an additional layer of protection when the gun is in a storage vault or travelling in a hard case. Please contact the shop to obtain your set Here

Shipyards and Shotguns

The River Clyde, which flows through Glasgow and into the Firth of Clyde, has a storied history as one of the world’s most prominent shipbuilding hubs. By the 17th century, shipbuilding began to take on a more organized form as the nascent Scottish merchant fleet started to grow. The Royal Navy’s demand for ships during this period further stimulated activity along the river. However, it wasn’t until the 18th century that the Clyde truly began to emerge as a significant shipbuilding centre. The Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 18th century, brought profound changes to the shipbuilding industry. The transition from wooden ships to iron and steam-powered vessels transformed the nature and scale of shipbuilding on the Clyde.

By the mid-19th century, the river was home to several pioneering shipyards. The use of iron hulls began in earnest during this period, with shipbuilders pushing the boundaries of maritime technology. The second half of the 19th century marked the “Golden Age” of shipbuilding on the Clyde. The city of Glasgow, often referred to as the “Second City of the Empire,” became synonymous with shipbuilding excellence. Major shipyards such as John Brown & Company, Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering, and Denny Brothers emerged, constructing some of the world’s largest and most advanced vessels. However, one particular ship builder became a very special customer of John Dickson & Son, and that was the firm of Charles Connell & Co.

Captain Charles Connell was the founder of the Charles Connell & Co. shipyard in 1861 at Scotstown on the river Clyde in Glasgow and by 1881, the company employed 720 men and 80 boys in their shipyard. He firstly married Catherine Broadfoot (she may have died in childbirth) and had only one son named Captain Charles Broadfoot Connell, he in turn had a son named Sir Charles Connell, he in turn had a son named Charles Raymond Connell. Captain Charles Connell married for a second time to Elizabeth Campbell in 1863, having nine children. None of this side of the family are named Charles but they were renowned for running the shipyard business, William Cuthbert, John Campbell and Arthur Cuthbert all listed as directors and taking important roles in the running of the shipyard with their father.

Charles Connell & Co was one of the smaller shipbuilding yards on the Clyde, building seven sloops for the Admiralty in the course of the First World War. No less important, in view of heavy British losses to German submarines, were the twenty-three merchant ships launched there.

A visit from King George V at Charles Connell & Co's shipyard in September 1917. On his right is company chairman William C. Connell.

Each generation of the Connell family, on both sides, would buy their prized game guns from John Dickson & Son, accounting for over twenty four guns purchased, nineteen of these being 12 gauge Round-Action guns and even one Round-Action double rifle in .400/.360. The Connells owned extensive grouse moors in Scotland and obviously put their array of guns to good sporting use. Rather interestingly, in 1899 each of Captain Charles Connell’s five sons received a single Dickson Round-Action gun across the months of June and July of that year. The order for these guns was placed by one of their sisters, but we do not know the reason for this special order and the significance of the year 1899.

Dickson Round-Action shotgun delivered to Arthur Cuthbert Connell in 1899.

Dickson Round-Action Double Rifle delivered to John Campbell Connell in 1911.

Dickson Round-Action shotgun delivered to William Cuthbert Connell in 1910.

Many of these guns are still in use today

and John Dickson & Son are always pleased to see

vintage Connell guns come through our doors.