Richard Purdey and The Spectator invited guests to celebrate 200 years of gun and rifle making at Purdey’s flagship store in Mayfair for champagne and canapés. The party was held in the historic Long Room, which has been visited by many of the greatest shots of the past two centuries.

Guests were able to view the Bicentenary Trio, a commemorative collection of guns created specifically to mark this occasion. Each model has been carefully chosen to represent key design, innovation and craftsmanship milestones in the company’s 200-year history. Richard Purdey, great-great-great-grandson of the company’s founder James Purdey, gave a personal introduction to the bespoke collection.

Spectator columnist Melissa Kite also spoke about the joys of country pursuits and there was an opportunity to meet Spectatorcolumnists, past and present.

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