Thread: Real gunsmiths

Spot on sir. Robert Dollymore is the only TRUE Gunmaker in NZ. His work would be comparable to the best standards around the world. He was a certified gunmaker at Purdey and that is high quality.

Rob used to do a fair bit of work for a few collectors of fine double rifles in Australia and a few here in NZ as well. Now he is mostly retired. He has done a bit of regulation work for a friend's double rifle and overhauled another friend's double rifle.

I have a shotgun that was worked on by Rob many years ago - small job.

The late Din Collings was a very good gunsmith. He was very highly skilled and had job offers from US gunmakers. Roy Weatherby, Oldman Hornady & Musgrave from South Africa have visited Din in his workshop in past years.

Din was a dear friend (and Viv) and i still grieve their passing.

Din built my 280 Ack Imp rifle and worked on a few others.

Originally Posted by Woody

I had a problem getting a spare set of barrels fitted to a high grade Beretta sidelock shotgun. On a second similar shotgun I had a misfire problem. Three gunsmiths could not tackle or solve the problems with these guns. Eventually, and with some trepidation about potential costs, I took these to Robert Dollimore at Lake Tarawera. He identified and made good the necessary repairs and modifications to both guns. It was plain to see he knew precisely how to analyse the faults and then how to rectify them. He is Purdy trained I believe. He is a gunmaker. I have also seen his work with measuring a very meticulous older shooter for gunfit of a high grade round action 28 gauge s by s. Rob Dollimore rebuilt the mans stock perfectly. Costs? I found him to be very fair and reasonable.