Ptarmigan Goes Really Wild!

So you've landed a spot at a Roxtons shoot. Take your pick. Partridge at the Cawdor Estate or pheasants in Kent and you've already got the luggage open and are packing.

And because it's special your taking that someone special in your life.

"But what will I wear?" is the only sound you heard in response to the invite. Relax. Tell her to go to Ptarmigan.

Since our opening in May 2010 we have pushed and pulled on all of our resources to find the appropriate apparel for ladies. Women have embraced the shooting sports with more enthusiasm then ever before. As they participate more they are asking the merchants to assist them in the sport by providing clothing that is stylish and comfortable in the field. We believe we have found the mark.

Ptarmigan is proud to announce we now carry a line of ladies garments made by one of England's premiere clothiers for women, Really Wild. From across the pond we bring you the very best in attire for the field: breeks, hacking jackets, boots, Scottish tweed shooting jackets and more. Really Wild has blended the fabrics of field attire and the look of country casual into a ensemble befitting the sporting moment and relaxed life style ladies are seeking.

Ladies, stop by and try on the products soon before he fills up the suitcase with his clothes.

Purdey & Ptarmigan
London Best" and all of the historic weight that that term holds is at the very heart of James Purdey & Sons. So it is, that if a shop represents the very best of Audley House, London, that shop is carrying the pride of this 1814 establishment and delivering it to a discerning client.

Ptarmigan is delighted to announce our affiliation with Purdey and have for your pleasure this day an assortment of shooting attire for ladies and gentlemen and essential accessories and gift items. Chosen with great care by Chris Hunter, General Manager of Wholesale and the Ptarmigan merchants, we believe this offering will serve as first course to a banquet of sporting delights that Purdey and Ptarmigan will offer as our respective shops thrive.

I can only encourage you to take a drive to Vermont as we begin our seasonal turn to Fall and view this new offering as well as newly arrived firearms from Zoli and consignment pieces.

Lastly, if you can't make it to Vermont, plan to visit the Ptarmigan booth where we will have racks of fine guns for your review at the Orvis Cup event at Sandanona, September 17 & 18th.

Not many summers past, all gentlemen of every generation could be seen wearing a multi colored shirt in a very light fabric. This shirt would have, should have, come from Madras India. Made of a fabric so light with colors so vibrant that its very fit and feel gave the body shade while celebrating the suns relentless efforts to subdue. Somehow and in some spheres the madras shirt has disappeared. The classicists in us shiver at the thought.

Well, welcome back. We reintroduce this wonderful garment today as it is meant to be: multi colored, long sleeve, button down collar, made of that timeless fabric, madras cotton from the very address of its inception. This shirt is full cut with long tails to stay tucked in and comes very smartly priced at $59.00.

As Manchester begins its six week long hosting of the Vermont Summer Festival, commonly known around town as The Horse Show, we also have become a dealer for Hunter Boots. With ten colors and ladies whole sizes from 5 to 10 we are well, well shod. Stop into the store or at our booth at the horse show for a fitting.

Ptarmigan Has Expanded It's Size and Offerings

As we approach our one year anniversary I can reflect back with considerable pride on the unanimous and abundant string of compliments regarding the Ptarmigan Gun Room and Shop and the universality of one particular phrase: "this is so warm and beautiful".

We've invited you in knowing full well that as you shared your love for the shooting sports with us we could do no worse than to give you a home for your enthusiasm.

Now what could delight us more then to double the pleasure of your

Ptarmigan experience? If your immediate response was "more Ptarmigan" then you are simpatico with us.

Adding over 1,000 square feet is

allowing us to bring you more of the best from Beretta and Filson while making some exciting additions. We have added the whimsical Bird Dog Bay clothing line to our men's furnishings and brought in ladies handbags from one of our favorite vendors, J. W. Hulme.

Lest you think we have forgotten our roots, the expansion has allowed us to increase our inventory in fine guns. New to our collection are some exciting pieces and certainly worth a trip to Manchester to view the new arrivals as seen below.

Tom Lenz, General Manager

Good News For the .410 Shooting Enthusiast

The Ptarmigan Gun Room has received in a handful of delightful .410 bore guns. Starting the list is a very traditional side lock side-by-side made by Arrieta for Griffin & Howe. This gun has a straight hand stock with beautifully carved drop points and case colored frame with game scene and scroll engraving.

For the over-under .410 shooter we have a rare micro-frame Luciano Bosis Michelangelo. This stunning little hidden pin side lock comes in at 5 lbs. 5 oz. with solid top rib barrels, magnificent marble cake figured wood, 32 lines per inch checkering and game with ornamental scroll engraving. The balance and feel of this gun is indescribable.

The royalty of this .410 selection is a brace of Piotti Kings. This pair is matched in every way - dimensions, weight, balance, 100% coverage tight scroll engraved French gray side locks and frames and of course perfectly matching, highly figured, English stocks.

Cheers,
Lars Jacob

Ptarmigan Sportsman's Stay and Play

Many of you have inquired about lessons this Spring. While Lars focuses on move, mount, shoot may I suggest you check out The Reluctant Panther for the Ptarmigan Sportsman Stay & Play. What a delightful way to soothe your senses after a pounding day on the clay line.

Just Arrived!

You could easily argue that the best of the "London Best" is Boss & Company Gun and Rifle Makers of London. You could most definantly say that Alan Brown is one of the very best engravers. With that in mind please take a look at what just walked into the Ptarmigan Gun Room. An absolutely stunning pair of Boss round body, side lock ejector 20 bores engraved by the master, Alan Brown.

Ptarmigan Gentleman's Knife

Designed and crafted by Bottega incisioni di Cesare Giavolli, this fine house is an engraving workshop for many of your favorite gun makers: Beretta, Piotti, Krieghoff and Perazzi in particular. Measuring 5 1/2" overall, 3" closed, 7/8" high and a 1/4" thick, she makes a perfect fit in the gentleman's pocket. But what a shame to hide this fine piece away. Based on a gun side plate she comes in border and scroll with a ptarmigan inlay on enamel. Priced at under $300 this knife will make the perfect gift for graduation and Fathers Day. The Ptarmigan Gentleman's Knife is a limited edition offering. Only 50 are being brought into the US so please place your orders in a timely fashion.

Works by Area Artist Galen Mercer

Please make plans to stop into the store and view this one of a kind oil painting by Arlington artist Galen Mercer. We are currently selling this painting, "Grouse Hunting", on consignment. Please read more about the artist.

Paper Makes a Great Gift for Everybody!

Gift Certificates are available in whatever amount you choose and don't expire, so there's always time for that special someone to shop for whatever they like. Choose from a wide selection in our extensive gun room. Maybe he would like a made-to-measure hunting jacket. Don't forget the new ladies department offering Hunter Boots and a selection of Really Wild clothes for her. The possibilities are endless and of course one size does fit all! Available by phone or email if you prefer.