A vacant shop was found in the historic village of Norham in North Northumberland, only a stone’s throw from the River Tweed and the Scottish Border. The concept was for a traditional gun shop that could offer a comprehensive service in a friendly and bespoke way – the opposite of many of today’s “shooting supermarkets”. The name of the company was taken from the historic Norham Castle that overlooks the village.
The business operates in all aspects of the industry from new, used and bespoke shotgun sales and gun repairs to sporting agency and shooting instruction.
In 1995 with his Texan partner and a Scottish landowner Barry secured the business of James MacNaughton Gunmaker and began to build their famous skeletal action (bar-in-wood). In 1998 the company acquired John Dickson & Son and formed Dickson & MacNaughton. During this time Barry began sending work to specialist gunsmiths in Brescia, Italy, forging close ties with many of the artisan outworkers as well as large companies. He became close family friends with interpreter Elena Mitchelli who was instrumental in cementing his ties with Cesare Giovanelli, Batista Rizzini, Ivano Tanfoglio and the rest of ‘The Valley’ as it was known. Dickson & MacNaughton continued to build traditional Scottish guns and carry out all types of gun repairs, and Barry headed up the development of a new range of Italian built over and unders, working with Wifra Armi to develop the Alex Martin range. Barry continued to be a passionate ambassador for Dickson & MacNaughton working as Operations Director until retiring at 65.
After leaving school, Sam began work in the family Game Dealing business learning all aspects of processing and preparing game. Before long his interest in guns and shooting naturally led him into an apprentiship with Dickson and MacNaughton where he learnt all aspects of gunsmithing, gun repairs and the gun trade from his father and colleagues.
’s retirement from Dickson and MacNaughton, it was only natural that he follow his father and become the main face of Castle Gunmakers Ltd, with responsibility for the day to day running of the shop. Sam carries out all gun servicing ‘in house’ together with most gun repairs.
Whilst working as a freelance instructor and event manager for a ‘blue chip’ event company in Surrey, he was invited by the owner for two days pheasant shooting in Ireland, with a team that included Roger Taylor from Queen – a true baptism of fire! This ignited his passion for game shooting and especially for teaching game shooting techniques and etiquette to youngsters and beginners.
Founded in 2008, Castle Gunmakers have a wealth of experience in all aspects of the gun trade and fieldsports industry, offering a friendly, professional and personal service that encompasses
