Dennis Hiller

[mallyally]

I did a few arms fairs with Dennis over the years when he had his little shop in Whittle-le-Woods near Chorley, Lancs. What a character, a mine of information but what a poor chess player. He helped me with the formation of Rivington Riflemen.
Ive not seen or spoke to him for a long time but the last time I saw him he was still living near Exuton, Chorley and into Italian (Laverda?) motorbikes. Out of the frying pan into the fire.

ATB
Ian

Remember his Cupboard under the stairs mate ?

[I. J.]

Remember his Cupboard under the stairs mate ?

We were never that friendly.

I do remember his old estate car (Hillman Avenger? A18 GUN) that had done over 100K and still managed a damn good time from London to Charnock Richards services, loaded to the roof, where he sneaked off the motorway by service road.

[mallyally]

We were never that friendly.

I do remember his old estate car (Hillman Avenger? A18 GUN) that had done over 100K and still managed a damn good time from London to Charnock Richards services, loaded to the roof, where he sneaked off the motorway by service road.

Lol thats where he kept all his guns under the stairs he had a hillman imp when I first went to his place in the 70s
bought a airsporter mk 1 and a bsa mod D off him
you used to be able to get off the M6 through the services in those days

[cinedux]

Just reading through Danny's lists makes me ache...until I find a laugh! Dennis was 'a legend in his own time.Thanks mate,Trev

[johnno]

I remember getting his lists of new stock for sale. Badly typed (presumably in the dark with one eye closed) and then photocopied on a knackered copier, I always looked forward to them turning up. We get our post late in the morning, scanning the list straight after arrival I was instantly on the phone to buy the Webley Mk.1 rifle instructions he had listed, I think they were £50. But of course I was about the 10th person to ring him and it was already gone!

[I. J.]

I remember helping him 'print', if thats the word, these news sheets on what looked like a school rejected machine which had a drum (with ink, sometimes) in which you cranked the handle. I dont think he ever proof read them.

Included in these Sales sheets were little items of wisdom and tales. The one I remember best is the tale of the ancient farmer who,for some reason, decided to learn to put his finger up the bore of his musket at the muzzle end and hold it out at arms length. I suppose we would now call it a party piece. When he mastered this he proudly displayed his trick in the local village market square where upon the villagers killed him because he was a witch.

Some days your the pigeon. Some days your the statue. This was definitely a statue day.

ATB
Ian

[Garvin]

I've posted some of these lists, dodgy humour and all, here:

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/hiller-dennis/

[I. J.]

I've posted some of these lists, dodgy humour and all, here:

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/hiller-dennis/

Thanks for that. Classic airgun memorabilia. AND THOSE PRICES.

I once remember going to the toilet at his shop and in the sink there was loads of stamps on bits of paper floating about. When I asked Dennis he replied 'Those stamps have been missed by the Frankin machine and Im going to re-use them! '

That huge boxed chrono (Cardew???) that he carried around the game fairs and charged to test the power of your rifle. (Well it was a bit more accurate than Yellow Pages). One young lad came up to have a go at testing his rifle and asked 'Do I have to put a pellet in?'

That and his salad butties 'but can you dry the lettuce. Isn't it strange what you remember about people?

ATB
Ian

[Amac]

Is Mr Hillier responsible for your love of the Hungarian swamp donkey brand Mr Jones?

[I. J.]

Is Mr Hillier responsible for your love of the Hungarian swamp donkey brand Mr Jones?

Yes. She worked next door in the butty shop and made Dennis his dry lettuce sandwiches.

[micky2]

I've posted some of these lists, dodgy humour and all, here:

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/hiller-dennis/

l bought the 2 Limit pop-out pistol that's in one of the lists.

[Josie & John]

I remember helping him 'print', if thats the word, these news sheets on what looked like a school rejected machine which had a drum (with ink, sometimes) in which you cranked the handle. I dont think he ever proof read them.

Included in these Sales sheets were little items of wisdom and tales. The one I remember best is the tale of the ancient farmer who,for some reason, decided to learn to put his finger up the bore of his musket at the muzzle end and hold it out at arms length. I suppose we would now call it a party piece. When he mastered this he proudly displayed his trick in the local village market square where upon the villagers killed him because he was a witch.

Some days your the pigeon. Some days your the statue. This was definitely a statue day.

ATB
Ian

And who could forget "Confucius say: man going through airport door sideways going to Bangkok"?

Happy days - I really looked forward to those mailings and the jokes they contained - remember the Reverend Young?

Kind regards,

John