Fieldsports mourns the loss of industry figure Russel Wilkin

Fieldsports has lost one of its most respected figures with the passing of Russel Wilkin, a man whose career spanned decades at Holland & Holland and whose influence on fine English gunmaking will be long remembered.

Wilkin joined Holland & Holland in 1963 and quickly became a key figure in the company’s evolution. He played a pivotal role in modernising the factory by introducing new machinery, helping to refine production methods while maintaining the firm’s heritage of craftsmanship. In 1989, he was appointed Production Director, overseeing the company’s gunmaking operations.

Among his many contributions, Wilkin was instrumental in the development of the now-legendary .700 Holland & Holland rifle. His deep understanding of gun design, mechanics, and ballistics made him an invaluable resource within the trade.

Paul Farroway, from Holland & Holland, commented: “Core to [Russel’s] success as the highly respected figure that he was in the gun trade was his astounding knowledge of guns, rifles and ballistics. He sketched out designs and produced technical drawings for many different guns, rifles and mechanisms, including the bar-in-wood hammer guns and the prototype .700 rifle.

“Russell will always be remembered and respected as a key figure in the London gun trade and internationally. It would be hard to name anyone in the trade, both past and present, who held such respect and knowledge of fine English guns.”