Leslie A. Paul started his five year apprenticeship in 1961, to learn the art of gun making, apprenticing as a Jobber-Finisher with the prestigious firm of Atkin, Grant, & Lang, of Bury Street, London England. He was bound as apprentice to Arthur Edwin Hodges, owner of Henry Atkin Limited, and grandson of E.C. Hodges, actioner to the London Trade in 1860 to 1890. E.C. Hodges had as an apprentice, Earnest Charles Lawrence, late factory manager of James Purdey & Sons Ltd. 1914 to 1946. E.C. Hodges, in the late 1880/1890, went into business with Henry Atkin, forming the long association of the Hodges with Atkin. Leslie Paul, when finishing his apprenticeship, and gaining his Freedom of the Worshipful Company of Gun makers of the city of London, remained with Atkins for some time, until the workshop relocated, and Mr. Paul, then went to work for Cogswell & Harrison of Piccadilly. He remained with them for some two years, working on best guns and rifles, and also fitting up weapons for movie companies.

Relocating to Sussex, and working for John Powell, Gun makers of Reigate, brought him in contact with Brian Sorrell, where they went out on their own, and later forming East Grinstead, Guns Ltd. They did subcontract work for the London Trade, as well as local. In the mid seventies when the economic climate in the U.K. was gloomy, Les Paul moved to Canada, a move followed by some other gun makers, later in the 1980's who moved to the U.S. and Canada. Once settled, he again began to specialize in the repair, renovation and building of fine sporting guns and rifles. Having the repair approval of John Rigby & Company since 1974, he acquired the repair & maintenance approval of James Purdey & Sons in 1997 and Atkin, Grant & Lang in 1999, and the new John Rigby Company of California, in the same year. Still having contact with the London Trade, allows us access to unobtainable supplies, and workers etc. from the U.K.