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Entrepreneur
& Master Gunsmith
 Since
leaving Sherwood and India, George
MacFarlaine achieved considerable personal
and business success, strictly by his own
individual efforts and without the assistance
of supporting staff or corporate backing. He
was a modest man and few knew of his
remarkable achievements in a specialist
field.
George
qualified at Strathclyde University, Glasgow,
with a Higher National Certificate in
Mechanical Engineering. He then worked for
engineering companies in India and in a local
firm in Kendal, Cumbria, where he became
Contracts Manager. However, his absolute
passion was sporting guns and all related
shooting activities. Along side his 'day
job', guns were his real interest and hobby -
and this is where George eventually excelled,
beyond even his own expectations.
Over
the years George collected, repaired and
treasured unusual and very special sporting
guns of high value. This collection included
vintage three and four barreled guns and from
this hobby a flourishing business grew - when
George retired.
By
this time George had set up a business, 'MacFarlaine
Sports'. It was a one-man band and provided a
highly individual service - designing and
manufacturing 'made to measure' guns for
bankers and business men from all over the
world, particularly the UK, Europe and the
Middle East. Gradually the business was
extended to include: servicing and modifying
guns, organizing shooting tours, providing
and manufacturing spares and ammunition - in
fact, he became so well known in the shooting
fraternity the world over, he finished up
being quite unique in this highly specialized
field.
George
was a designer of some repute. He designed an
innovative and versatile mechanism for a
three-barreled gun with the third barrel
being a rifle barrel. This gained him much
notoriety and press coverage.
Business
for MacFarlaine Sports blossomed very
rapidly, by recommendation alone. He became
very well known as an expert in the field. He
was highly respected for his specialized
knowledge in the top echelons in shooting
circles. He formed close ties with Christies
of London, who auctioned numerous guns for
him. They fetched anything up to £80,000
each.
George
built up his business from scratch. It was
his personality, honesty and integrity that
made the business grow. He often had to 'burn
the mid-night oil' to meet a commitment. He
never let a customer down.
Latterly,
George had, at any one time, 250 guns in his
loft armoury at his home - some belonged to
his clients and were held for servicing, but
most were owned by George. He was undoubtedly
a wealthy man and highly successful.
Pressure
of work finally took its toll. George could
not say 'no' to the many and growing requests
for advice and service. Some think that it
was this self-imposed sustained pressure, due
to his determination to please, that
eventually led to his sudden fatal heart
attack.
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