OK I will admit that I am a gun nut and have a few custom rifles, but shotguns are my thing. I really like figured wood and have been known to buy a gun just because of the figure in the wood. So let's see your shotguns. The rifle guys like to show their stuff off, so why not us shotgun nuts.
I will start: My K-80 30" trap barrels with Briley screw in chokes and sub gage tube to shoot skeet with. The stock was custom made to fit me and has 32 lpi checkering.
Next up is my pride and joy. It is a Winchester 101 XTR light weight that belonged to my best friend. When he got killed his wife gave me this gun and I had this custom stock made for it a tribute to him. It is a 20 ga with right at 28" barrels and 32 lpi checkering. I ask for 20 lpi as this is my field gun but the stock maker said it was too nice a piece of wood not to do 32 lines on, so that is what I got.
note the way he did the patterns and had them tie together with just diamond. He told me what he was going to do, but I did not understand until I say it myself.
Thanks for the compliment, but ya' ain't seen it in person.
She's a pre-war (1939) A5 in 16 gauge. Since I didn't want to molest the factory barrel I added a spare and had it tubed.
All in all I should have turned it over to Donnie, but a fella's got to try his first tang gun sometime. Do yer'self a favor, steer away from burl woods. They're a PITA to get an even surface and then the finish will foam until the seal is complete. This one took 6-7 coats of thinned AG before it quit foaming.
Ok, I'll share.. Below is an SKB model 880 Crown Grade in 12 gauge and it's my absolutely favorite shotgun.. According to Ithaca (I have a letter from them somewhere around here) they made/imported only 60 of these; half with 30" barrel, half with 32's.. Mine's a 30". A few 880s were made as a combo set and a few in 20 gauge, but overall these are quite rare.. I bought this brand spankin' new in 1980 and it's still in better than 98% condition..
I take it out about once a year for a round of trap just for kicks.. And yeah, it still breaks clays with the best of 'em.. I wouldn't sell it for anything..
Excellent work.. Is it just the pix and light combo that makes the fore-end look more reddish than the buttstock?
Very nice piece 'o wood...
Part of it's the lighting, but mainly it's my mistake. I had put it into the barrel to amonia fume when I got a call which took me out of town right pronto. I forgot to take it out of the barrel and no amount of time with the butt would make them match.
I love that checkering pattern on your SKB. I've considered something similar to that on my A5 but as dificult as that stuff is to chisel, it might be a nightmare to checker.
Hey pullit, thanks for the pic. I still haven't read up yet on how to do that.
I wish. I used the old beat up factory butt to make a pattern that fit me properly and then had Donnie Gemes duplicate it on his pantograph. Sure wish I were that talented though, wouldn't be working a 7-3 five day week at the plant. Semi-inlets are as far as I have advansed so far.
This is true, Old World Craftsmanship. This is a 10 bore on a massive 8 bore frame. A beautiful piece of wood with painstaking handfitting in both wood and locks. A Burmingham England gun with Westley Richards action, Stanton sidelocks, Thomas Kilby & Sons damascus barrels. The engraving is fine and the fences around the hammers as well as the hammers themselves, speak of nothing but craftsmanship. A pleasure to own and shoot, but a tad heavy for a day in the field. It has 32 inch barrels and weighs 12 1/2 pounds....
I went back to the safe, here is another beautiful original English hammergun. It is made in Birmingham by Hume, an early side lever, damascus shotgun. The engraving is very nicely done with about 60% coverage, with nice fences, reminicent of the carry-over from the earlier percussion era.
It has 2 1/2 inch chambers, rebounding hammers and very nice sidelocks. It is hard to find good guns like this that are as old as this.
Half the fun is owning these, the other half is shooting them...
Part of it's the lighting, but mainly it's my mistake. I had put it into the barrel to amonia fume when I got a call which took me out of town right pronto. I forgot to take it out of the barrel and no amount of time with the butt would make them match.
Excuse my ignorance but I've never heard of a process of 'amonia fuming'.. What does that do??
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I love that checkering pattern on your SKB. I've considered something similar to that on my A5 but as dificult as that stuff is to chisel, it might be a nightmare to checker.
Do you do your own checkering?? That is a true art. I know my own limitations and that's certainly one of 'em.. If you want to do something like that, print the pix and send the stock and pix to Sherry Abraham. I'm betting she can do a job like that..
Those old english shotguns are pure art.. Some day I need to take a couple of hours and make a trip to Duluth, MN and visit 'Pug's Guns'... He's got a high-end collectors shop in a kinda seedy, non-descript area of the city and specializes in big-bux European shotguns.. You'd never know it by looking at the storefront.. Reminds me of the shops one would see in south Chicago or Iraq...
Redneck I am not a stock expert but I think the amonia bring out the color in the wood. I know stock makers also steam the wood to do the same type thing. Cowboy (or anybody else)please correct me if I am wrong about this.
sharpnel you do have some very nice older shotguns, that is for sure. I have seen several nice older guns but as you said it is hard to find "clean" ones. Looks like you sure did....
Redneck I am not a stock expert but I think the amonia bring out the color in the wood. I know stock makers also steam the wood to do the same type thing.
Really.... I love to learn something new every day..
The stock below belongs to my second most favorite shotgun; an SKB M800.These were built circa 1980 also.. A guy in Michigan put this up for sale about 5 years ago. I had not seen a M800 before and the condition and price were excellent so I bought it.. Long story short, I could see some faint, nearly black lines in the buttstock, so I removed the wood and finish ( I don't care for urethanes on my shotguns) and noticed that it had been stained with a darker stain that actually covered the grain.. I removed it all, had Sherry Abraham clean up the checkering and refinished it in satin tung oil..
IMHO, this wood is outstanding and should be shown, not hidden with stain..
Something about good wood that makes/breaks the firearm...
I have a Beretta 391 right now that need the same thing done to it that you did to your SKB. You can see some good figure in the wood but it does not show up thru the finish very well. If you turn it just right you can see it. Been thinking I would tackle that job one of these days, so far I have been thinking that about 3 yrs now.....
You do have some good looking SKB's. I don't think I have ever seen any with the white grip caps before. I really like the SKB 885 (I think thats the model number). It is the one with the side plates like your 880. I don't remember them (the 885's) having the white grip caps.
There's some very pretty wood on those shotgun's. The only thing that i have in a wood stock anymore is the wife's sweet sixteen and a Remy 1187 Upland Special.
Everything else is either black or camo. syn. bird/rabbit/turkey guns are synthetic, including Beretta 391 and Remy 1100's & 1187's. The places that i bird and rabbit hunt are rough and i worry about scratches and dings.
You do have some good looking SKB's. I don't think I have ever seen any with the white grip caps before. I really like the SKB 885 (I think thats the model number). It is the one with the side plates like your 880. I don't remember them (the 885's) having the white grip caps.
I drooled over the 885s for years.. Never could quite afford one the few times I found one..
The 885 did have the side plates like the 880. To my limited recollection they did not have the white caps.. Only the 880 and 800 had those..
Well, 3 years is enough!! Get going on that refinish! You'll be glad you did when it's over.. The worst part is removing the old crap.. I'm lucky to have a commercial furniture finish stripping business fairly close.. I just send them the wood and it comes back in about a week or so, completely stripped and down to pure wood.. All for $30... Best money spent! I can't begin to do that myself for that kind of bux.. I'd lose my butt..
lochsa That is a great picture of the 391 and your dog. I see some tiger strip in that stock. Do you have a better photo that shows the entire stock. That photo was a little bit of a tease....
Redneck I am not a stock expert but I think the amonia bring out the color in the wood. I know stock makers also steam the wood to do the same type thing. Cowboy (or anybody else)please correct me if I am wrong about this.
Right you are sir. Amonia fumming reacts with tanic acid in the wood and force ages it. Some woods, such as walnut and oak, contain tanic acid by nature. Maple, as is the case with my A5 stock, needs to have tanic acid introduced. I find it much cheaper to brew up a strong cup of black tea and slobber that on as part of my whiskering stages.
It's kinda' shocking the first time you use this process. You're nice high dollar stock set just turned a nasty yellow/brown mustard yuck color. But fear not, once the whisker is removed and the first coats of finish have been applied the nice rich honey colors will come through.
You gotta' watch walnut though, and I mean that literaly. The color shift may seem gradual for a while, fifteen minutes later you peek in and your wood could be nearly black.
As for stains, I'm with you guys. That stuff's for decks and window sills.
I have a couple other photos that are similar. The 391 has good figure in the wood but nothing fancy. If it is in the right light, the tiger stripes really show.
I went back into the safe and found a couple more nice looking shotguns. These are Winchester 101 Featherweight Pigeon Grades. They have 26 inch barrels and are vented between the barrels to help give the featherweight. One 12 gauge, the other is a 20 gauge.
There seem to be so many Browning shotguns out there, and I have always had a preference for the Winchester. These are not common, but are very nicely made and look good to boot.
Nice wood! I notice they're both straight stocks.. I've never been able to shoot one of those comfortably; my wrist just doesn't seem to wanna bend that much..
Very nice examples of Winchester shotguns..
AsphaltCowboy, I really appreciate the information you gave above.. I had absolutely NO knowledge of that process at all.. How do you do the actual fuming process? You mentioned a 'barrel'.. ???
AsphaltCowboy, I really appreciate the information you gave above.. I had absolutely NO knowledge of that process at all.. How do you do the actual fuming process? You mentioned a 'barrel'.. ???
It's so easy even a cave man could do it.
Be forewarned; once you fume, it CAN NOT be undone. Unlike stain which can be sanded out ammonia fuming is through and through. A four inch square of say maple will be the same color in it's center as it is on the outer surface.
The barrel I use is one of the cardboard dry chemical barrels that our plastic colorant comes in at work. You could simply use a large trash bag, but I always worry about the ammonia gettin' spilt so I use the barrel.
Of all the hardwoods I've no idea which contain tannic acid naturally other than walnut and oak. You won't need it for those. Maple for sure does not, and will need treated. I can't remember for sure about cherry.
Since a quart size tea bag is more convenient and cheaper than buying tannic acid I use those. Put the tea bag in a standard 12oz coffee mug, fill 3/4 or so with water and nuke it in the micro-wave to brew and then let cool.
You can put this on naked wood at any time, but I wait until I'm ready to whisker the stock and use the tea for my first whisker. Just slobber it on and let the stock dry, you can whisker or not afterwards, your choice.
Now for the ammonia and be careful with that stuff, it can strangle ya', best done in a well ventilated area or better yet outside. Half a cup is more than plenty. Put a small dish of some sort in the bottom of the barrel over at the edge where you wont bump it with the stock and pour a bit of ammonia into it. Next place your stock in and cover the barrel. If you use a bag just tie the top shut or clip with a large enough cloths pin or something.
Some woods will react faster and get darker than others, depends on how hard and dense it is. Each individual piece of wood is different. Harder=slower not as dark, softer=faster and darker (this applies to blond woods like maple, walnuts can actually turn black). For a one piece stock of rock maple I just put it in and forget it, Two piece sets can get tricky, unless you specifically requested it you seldom get a forearm blank which was cut from the same area of the wood slab. Even a piece from the same tree may react differently. For these I recommend a simple egg timer. The butt usually is the hardest, so fume it first. Check frequently and when it looks dark enough remove it. The process stops almost immediately. Here is where you really need the egg timer (and where I screwed the pooch with my A5). Set the timer in five minute intervals and check the progress. You can touch it, the ammonia won't harm your hands unless you're sensitive, so take it out and compare it to the butt. When the color starts getting close set the timer for shorter intervals until you get a match. The wood will take on a nasty yuck look on the surface, just ignore that it'll sand off when you do your whisker.
You've really got to watch walnut, too much time in the fumes and it can often turn black or near to it. You can also almost, get a faux ebony if you leave it overnight or longer.
I've had a lousy day so if I've confused you with any of this, let me know, I'll clear it up tomorrow when my head is where it belongs.
Sorry for the confussion guys. I had what had to be the worst day in fifteen years at work yesterday and I,,, well, I had my head up my butt and wasn't thinking to clearly. -----------------------------------------------------------------
Now, let's see if I can clear this up fer y'all.
Tannic acid (it's what's in the tea) and ammonia are what creats the reaction in the wood. Some woods have tannic acid in them and some don't.
Walnuts and oaks already have tannic acid in them. Mother nature put it there so's we don't have to. Ain't that cool of her? Maple and some of the other blond hardwoods don't have tanic acid so we have to put it on the wood. Mother nature makes us waste a perfectly good teabag. But it's a fair trade if'n ya' ask me, considering what we get in return.
I'm not sure where he got it from, but I found it in Roy Dunlap's book "Gunsmithing" If you don't have one I strongly recommend it. Goood reading.
firstcoueswas80 how do you like the Franchi? Everybody I talked to say they kick but they look so good I have thought about buying one anyway....
I love that Franchi! I got it in trade a few years ago for super cheap. The wood on it is amazing, and I can actually shoot the damn thing! I shoot instinctive, so I never use the bead but I can still hit chit! It fits me like a glove, which is surprising as I am 6'3 280 lbs. I have never notice it kicking like a mule. My 870 knocks me pretty good with 3" #4 buck shot for coyotes and jack rabbits.
I love my Franchi! Compared to a 20 guage, it is a little heavy but it performs flawlessly and sits me well!
got any pictures of the whole stock? I really love nice wood. You and I are about the same size. I am 6'4" and I have lost a little weight (I am on a diet). I was 279 and I am 263 now. It is hard to find a gun with long enough length of pull.
man those are nice. I am so glad I started this thread. I did not know there where this many guy's and gal's on here that had great looking shotguns. I thought everybody just had rifles
Please keep the pictures coming I am learning alot about models of guns I have not seen before...
I actually got that thing in a SMOKING trade! I never needed a over/under my 870 always did the trick for me.
I had a well used 22-250 Sendero with a Burris Fullfield II I had for sale... Guy sent me an email with the new shotgun, offered me a straight up trade.. I couldnt turn it down! The gun came absolutely 100% from him. I was very impressed and now I love it! I think the only thing I would trade it for is the same thing in 20 guage, cuz its lighter!
Call me nutz over Browning superposed, especially superlights. Here's a little Diana 3 gauge set from '71 that I regret the most trading away
The next few are from top to bottom, a Midas 20ga superlight, a .410 midas lightning with superlight stock (my plantation quail killer), and a 28ga P3 (since traded away)
Next is a '61 12ga Pointer that I had restored to original:
Those are all super nice.... I think Brownings are hard to beat for the money. If I had to pick, that Diana 3 gauge set, would get my vote. Thank the good Lord we don't have to pick....
Yeah, lets not talk about it. I got a great piece in return, though. The guy that now owns it told me he turned down a $30K offer! Don Happy 4th, all........
You guys have some NICE shot guns. I get by with these.
I cut my teeth on the 20 gauge 870. It was my first firearm purchased new in 1968. It came with a 28 inch full choke barrel and I latter added a 26 inch IC barrel. I bought the Red Label for $600. It's a 12 gauge with IC /Mod 26 inch barrels.
This is a pair of Rizzini/FAIR shotguns, top is an entry level 12 guage Premier, and the bottom on is my 20 guage Safari. The safari is actually built on a rifle frame, and comes with a set of 6.5X55 barrels also. Both guns shoot super, and the 20 is especially nice... Cat
I've retreived it yesterday, I had asked the gunsmith to perform some refreshing work. It has been my great grandfather shotgun, made in 1953 (gunmaker still unknown).
That was its condition before refreshing (broken hammer spring, rusty and un-blued metal, scratches everywhere, cleared wood with disappearing checkerings):
It's going to join back my nearly century old external hammers "bayard" shotgun and most recent Browning Ultra XS Tool.
It all started with Weatherby pumps, then Remington, now, Winchester model 12. It rains here, alot, so why bother with a finish, just oil. This one was built in 1914, the wood and choke is later.
I recognize that first gun, but the name eludes me right now. le'me look around a bit.
I've got an identification thanks to a French hunter who owns a 10 gauge from the same gunmaker: It seems to be a "Joseph Saive".
I ask myself if that Joseph Saive is linked to the famous gun engineer Dieudonn� Joseph Saive ?
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Dieudonn� Joseph Saive (1889�1973) was a Belgian small arms designer who designed the FN Model 1949[1] and the FN FAL. He became the head firearms developer of Fabrique Nationale after the death of John Browning. After John Browning's death, Saive continued with and finished the design started by Browning on the GP-35 pistol, commonly known as the Browning Hi-Power. It was the first 9 mm handgun to utilize a staggered-column magazine with a single feed point allowing a total of thirteen rounds to be loaded without an oversized grip or having the magazine protruding from below the grip.
castnblast - A lot of drilling and combo guns have their shotgun barrels regulated to the rifle barrel for use with a slug. Ever try slugs out of your combo barrel?
I think it's a Francotte. Wild guess, but just look at it! Barrel extension into standing breech, with Greener-type cross- bolt, and sideclips, if you please! That's a lot of class for a boxlock, which is why I think Francotte, or maybe Dumoulin. Seems too well engineered to simply be a Belgian "trade gun."
11-87, customed stocked by Dave VandenBrand, 26 inch tube, ported by Pro-Port witn Briley extended tubes. Wood is awesome, pics dont do justice........
Sig TT45, made by B. Rizzini, imported by Sig Arms, 32 inch gun, my main clays gun....
Thats me and my Model 21, 26" barrels, cylinder & cylinder, double triggers, extractors, manufactured in 1937. Pheasant hunting near the Missouri Breaks MT (Square Butte in the background) in 2004
Here are the only doubles I have at the moment. Nothing as fancey as some of you guys. Browning Citori 525 20ga Ruger Red Label 12ga Churchill Windsor I 20ga SxS
I just added this one to the collection today. It's a caesar Guerini 28ga with 28" barrels on it it's for my son to use shooting sporting clays and trap with. Then when he outgrows it it will come back to dear old dad. [
Thats me and my Model 21, 26" barrels, cylinder & cylinder, double triggers, extractors, manufactured in 1937. Pheasant hunting near the Missouri Breaks MT (Square Butte in the background) in 2004
Just goes to show, with modern loads, you really don't need to worry about choke. When in doubt, go one size larger.
Barrel extension into standing breech, with Greener-type cross- bolt, and sideclips, if you please! That's a lot of class for a boxlock, which is why I think Francotte, or maybe Dumoulin. Seems too well engineered to simply be a Belgian "trade gun."
In fact it is a quite common package for an old school shotgun from Liege. The same with my "bayard" that was known as a basic non custom / non fancy gun. Belgian's gunsmithing good old and lost time .
I had a place where the doves funneled through a slot between hills and that little gun was devastating on them. The boys were enthusiastic retrievers, too!
Call me nutz over Browning superposed, especially superlights. Here's a little Diana 3 gauge set from '71 that I regret the most trading away
The next few are from top to bottom, a Midas 20ga superlight, a .410 midas lightning with superlight stock (my plantation quail killer), and a 28ga P3 (since traded away)
Doc:
I really like your '61 pointer.
Who did the restoration for you?
I have a '53 trap grade 1 superposed. I would like to have the wood professionally redone.
Thanks.
Bob
Next is a '61 12ga Pointer that I had restored to original:
Nothing real special: Remington Special Field 12 ga. with the 23" barrel, Rem-choke. I looked for one for a long time, until I found this one. It's my only shotgun now. As most of you may already know, the magazine and forend on these are shorter than standard. I've considered picking up a synthetic pg stock to bang around with, saving that nice wood. I know the buttstock would fit ok, but does anyone want to assure me that I can shorten the synthetic forend to fit my gun? It's really all that's kept me from shooting an order out to Brownell.
most of my hunting is ducksband geese so I shoot one of my 2 camo dipped benelli SBE's usually. my O/U follows the same theme. It's an older fabarms camo mag lion they H&K imported. 28" barrels with tribore system and 3 1/2" chambers. whole gun came in wetlands camo. not the lightest but the gun has been bombproof for ducks, geese and turkeys for several years
Here is a little something I picked up on a whim, proly paid too much. 870 in 28 gauge, nice old gun, fixed full choke that I will most likley open up to .010, add a pad so it stays on my sholder as the hard plastic slips off when I pump it.
I've posted this pic before but I guess the statute of limitations has expired. My three Remington Model 31 pumps, the oldest a three digit S/N from late '31. I actually have a fourth now but it's so fugly i haven't taken a pic of it yet.
The top gun has a Simmons screw-on (as opposed to screw in) choke that I have been unable to find any info on, or other chokes for. If anyone knows anything about them, please give me a holler.
This used to be a very sorry excuse for a 20 gauge Winchester 1300 Ranger when I rescued it and decided to make a slug gun out of it. Did all the work myself, and also have a 28 inch barrel for it with Winchokes.
Here's my favorite. Nothing special to most. This was my Grandfather's quail gun. Remington 1148 in 28 gauge. I actually killed my first goose with it when I was 7. (I'm 43 now)
I don't think there have been enough pictures of pump guns posted so I thought I shold post some of mine, pumps have had a popularity in America that is unique. Unfortunatly after seeing mine they may not be as popular as they once were . There are questions marks on some of the labels, if anyone can confirm or correct anything please PM me.
And remember to look for the UNION LABEL when shopping for your next pump shotgun .
Interesting and unique. Ever shoot them? What's the deal on the front trigger lever? Thanks for posting.
They are like a side eject version of the Spensor pumps and operate the same. The front 'trigger' is actually an extension of the internal hammer and is used to uncock the gun, which is the safe position, you then have to use either your thumb or your index finger to recock it in order to fire. These, like the Spensor use a rebounding firing pin, possibly the first guns to use one. The model 50 still uses a rebounding firing pin (necessary for these guns to function) but uses a sliding safety to block the trigger. The safety is mounted on the left side and for right-handed operation seems extremely awkward. Gene
Here is what is left of my Merkel 2001 E. It was given to me by my wife for my 50th birthday. It is a 12ga, extra fancy wood 28 inch barrels and pure death in a dove field. Ever since it was stolen it has been back to a 30year old Browning pump. Maybe one day the Merkel will find its way home.
No doubt there are more impressive collections, that takes nothing away from yours. However, not many have six model 21s of that overall quality. You worked hard for some special shotguns.
In my estimation one of the greatest shotguns ever assembled. English best will fall apart if fed a steady diet of heavies. The M21 will just ask for more of the same.
Again, very nice.
Addition: Any small gauges? The second one down looks sweet.
No doubt there are more impressive collections, that takes nothing away from yours. However, not many have six model 21s of that overall quality. You worked hard for some special shotguns.
In my estimation one of the greatest shotguns ever assembled. English best will fall apart if fed a steady diet of heavies. The M21 will just ask for more of the same.
Again, very nice.
Addition: Any small gauges? The second one down looks sweet.
The 2 on the top are both trap grade 20 gauges, one with a vent rib. The one on the bottom is a factory engraved custom grade with original box.
Can't dig out the other 9 21's ranging from Grand American to matched pair of 16 & 20 ga. Tournaments.But here's a little something from the front row.Perazzi MX-8 C Sporting 31 1/2",1941 Special order A&F Win 21,SKB 400,Win Mod 50 Deluxe 3 pin rib 2 barrel set 30" Full ,26" WS-1 and 1905 Parker DH special order live pigeon http://photobucket.com/sqweeler ii5
not the best pic, but its an older Beretta silver pigion SXS 12 ga. all of my upland hunting is done with SXS's anymore. i am really starting to like my 16 and 20 ga Ugartecha's
Is that aftermarket wood? That wood is beautiful for an onyx.
Not aftermarket, that is the wood that came on it. I've gotten a couple of Ruger No. 1's with better than average wood also. Doc Encore says I have been "blessed by the wood gods".
The Beretta has knocked down a few doves already, but alas she has already got a ding in that wood. Was standing too close to the SIL and his semi-auto shucks empties with gusto. Dang kids and their new-fangled semi-autos!
I looked for months for an Onyx with that kind of wood. Your one lucky SOB in my opinion. Congrats! In order to get a stock like yours I'm gonna have to get one from Coles.
I haven't seen a Colt shotgun in this thread. My cousin has a side/side boxed colt hammerless ordered by a great-great grand uncle in about 1895,delivered in 1896 and barrels replaced at no charge by factory in 1898. Serial number between 1000-1990 but I don't remember exact #. Engraved, damascened barrels, beautiful wood. Box is even in good shape with blue felt interior and leather exterior. Original paperwork folded and starting to tear unfortunately. Bores are absolutely pristine!
No pictures available, but I may be able to get some from him sometime to post. Any other Colts out there?
I just had my LC Smith 3E refinished by Dan Printz at The firing Pin in NC. Go check it out The Firing Pin - LC Smith 3E He put up a bunch of pictures of work he did on it. Here is just one I took once it came back home.
Here are my favorites. Not as pretty as some, but they get the job done. 1st is a Remington 310 12ga that I just got yesterday, 2nd is a Browning sweet sixteen Belgium made, and 3rd is my baby. Savage Fox Model B in 20ga. I use this gun for everything and I love the way she feels. I bought the Remington to give my Fox a break for a little while. As you can see all 3 guns and just about every gun I have all have that same scratch on the butt stock. That is from getting them in and out of my gun safe. I hit them every time.
It was a gift from an old elk hunting pard. It looks half worn out, but it's slick and smooth and has a trigger like a target rifle... Turkeys hate it! Serial # sez it's made in 1900!
Thanks, Battue, The Bland is an EJ. I don't know much about it.
It has some nice touches, tho. Horn butt.
Not sure on the weight of the Merkel, I will check it out and post it. I did shoot a couple rounds of Sporting Clays with the Merkel and I did quite well on the first bird (with spreader loads), not so good getting back on the second bird after recoil. One of the guys seemed to think there was a lot of muzzle jump. Too light for that game, maybe? Don't know, but it comes up nice for me, and the inletting and engraving looks pretty good to me; no expert tho.
My trio of Browning BPS shotguns: 20 gauge Upland Special, 16 gauge Grade-III Hunter, and 12 gauge 3" Magnum NWTF turkey special. I might add a 28 gauge to the family soon. I am really starting to like these shotguns; put the 16 gauge on layaway a few months ago (two weeks after I bought the NWTF model) but picked it up last week.
Thanks. They were kind of an after thought. Done right by the hotel along the interstate. There were some really cool old buildings an farm implements in some of the fields that we walked. If I had been on my game, we'd have stopped and taken some pics there with the dogs too.
Is that aftermarket wood? That wood is beautiful for an onyx.
Not aftermarket, that is the wood that came on it. I've gotten a couple of Ruger No. 1's with better than average wood also. Doc Encore says I have been "blessed by the wood gods".
The Beretta has knocked down a few doves already, but alas she has already got a ding in that wood. Was standing too close to the SIL and his semi-auto shucks empties with gusto. Dang kids and their new-fangled semi-autos!
Chris,
Do you buy your guns off the rack or order them and when the box is opened you "Gasp" at the fine figured walnut you get to fondle.
Been getting ready for the upcoming season - this 16 gauge Model 12 pump will be doing the upland honors beginning with a dove hunt Labor Day weekend, followed by quail at Thanksgiving and rabbit in January. I'll let my Browning 12 gauge BPS handle the steelshot chores during duck and goose season (and the turkey hunting in the spring). Man's has gotta have a plan - mine is ready.
This is the closest thing that I have maybe approaching something pretty, and that is actually probably worth a coupla' bucks. And despite being chumpchange in value compared to a lot of the shotty porn posted, even this thing I won't dare take into the blind or even for upland with me; far too nice for my clumsy self. In 100% NIB never-been-fired condition. I'll never use it, and will eventually get around to selling or trading it. DU 50th Anniversary 1987 Browning A-5 Light 12.
I have carried my K80 Dove hunting before and carry my 101 with custom wood pheasant hunting as well as most any other bird hunting I do. If it is really bad out, I have beater scatter guns for that. Like asking would you enter your new car to a demolition derby...you could, but why would you.
Here's my contribution... A neat little Bavarian 16ga. hammergun. Made by an "A.Doublon" in Ingolstadt, Bavaria. I figure it's 1890's to pre-WW1 vintage. Fluid barrels, 2 3/4 chambers,but I'll only shoot 2 1/2s with the old gal. Funny how that big cheek piece fits like a glove. This gun points well. It was somebodys pride and joy as it has gold washed lock panels and a horn grip in back of the trigger guard.
This is true, Old World Craftsmanship. This is a 10 bore on a massive 8 bore frame. A beautiful piece of wood with painstaking handfitting in both wood and locks. A Burmingham England gun with Westley Richards action, Stanton sidelocks, Thomas Kilby & Sons damascus barrels. The engraving is fine and the fences around the hammers as well as the hammers themselves, speak of nothing but craftsmanship. A pleasure to own and shoot, but a tad heavy for a day in the field. It has 32 inch barrels and weighs 12 1/2 pounds....
Here's my W.R side lock! it's a light , fine shooting 12 bore with brass cases and black powder. Cat
I must admit I have much nicer looking rifles than shotguns and wasn't going to post in this thread, but this pair have served me well for many, many years. They are starting to look a little worn on the outside but their bores still remain bright and shiny.
The top one is a Fox double with mod & full barrels. The bottom is a Winchester 12 "Duck" gun which has a 3" chamber. They both deserve a bit of a facelift and when I retire from my main job they may get it. Until then, they just continue to do what they did fifty years ago, work well.
Since Hurricane Ike all I have are some old Ithaca 37's, 870's, a Rem 11-48 (my Dad's) and a Benelli SBE. I used to have a couple nice Browning O/U's 325,525 and and old Superposed.
here is one I just had the stocks refinished on... don't see many of these but they are not collectors guns unless super high quality or high grade, Around 1800 thought to have been built by the Philadelphia Arms Company... they were basically the predecessor to the Ansley H Fox Gun Company.
Here is my Mossberg 500. My dad was a State Trooper for 30 years and it was his shotgun that he carried in the car. I know it kinda beat up, but my dad gave it to me and it will never leave the family (once I have a kid).
Picked up this cute little 16 gauge sureshot (made by winchester or cooey) - it's been made into a takedown backpacker and it's a beauty. I'm more of a rifle kinda guy but the guy offered me a trade for 8 hard drives I had laying on the shelf and couldn't refuse.
Will be easy to recognize your firearms, so if we cross paths I'll be sure to say hi. Good chance we will be able to share shells if one of us are running short.
Will be easy to recognize your firearms, so if we cross paths I'll be sure to say hi. Good chance we will be able to share shells if one of us are running short.
I look forward to that day. If you see this little tri colored setter in the woods I won't be far behind.
Your springer pic brought back memories. I hunted with springers for alot of years until my legs told me I was getting too old to keep up with them . so I switched to Ryman-type setters. Here's a pic pushing 20 years old of one of my springers Dolly gone but never forgotten.
I must admit, I am partial to the O/U's, (two shot auto's.)
My collection includes:
L to R
Stevens 311 12-gauge, (currently for sale in the classifieds) Savage 24 .22LR over 20-gauge, My first shotgun Winchester 25, My Grandpa Turks, poor man's model 12, bought used in the 20's Weatherby Athena Grade III 12-gauge 26" bbl's Red-Label 20-gauge 26" bbls. Woodside 12-gauge 28" bbl's.
I've owned "security shotguns", but sold them all. Seems like no use for a shotgun you can't shoot at a clay pidgeon, pheasant, quail, chukar, or grouse with.
Cat, I'm with you on the O/U--I love the look of SxSs, but I shoot an O/U consistently better. That Woodside is a real keeper--there won't be any more of those, I think. You need an RL 28 to keep those two Rugers company!
Man, just found this thread and have drooled over every page. You guys have some beautiful shotguns. I'm partial to the A5s and early winchester doubles. Look forward to owning both one day.
Nothing like the A-5 shown above, but a buddy was letting go of his early 1950's standard Auto-5 in 16 gauge last week - I grabbed it up. Took this picture while out turkey hunting last week (wish I had gotten a turkey with it).
Thank you Mesa. That was a quick snap I took while hunting. I went out in the backyard this morning and took a little bit better picture - I sure am liking this shotgun - don't know what my buddy was thinking when he let me trade him out of it!
Found a nice example of an American Browning A-5 this past week. Another 16 gauge, this one was made by Remington under Browning contract in 1941, and is in amazingly nice shape for it's age.
What are the boxlocks? First one looks like a Daly maybe (and a whole bunch of condition to boot)... the rest all look like guild guns... love to hear more about them or see more pics.
What are the boxlocks? First one looks like a Daly maybe (and a whole bunch of condition to boot)... the rest all look like guild guns... love to hear more about them or see more pics.
Daly it is made by H.A.Lindner in 1912. 16ga that weighs 5 3/4lbs with 28" barrels.
Next is a Franz Sodia from Ferlach, Austria made in 1932 with 30" barrels.
Last is a 16ga F.W. Heym made in 1923 with 26" barrels.
Thanks for the interest and compliments on the photos.
I had the good fortune to aquire Major Charles Askins Sr.'s personal 1932 custom ordered Browning Superposed. I didn't know the provenance at the time, but learned after the fact.
On the www.shotgunworld.com web site, Browning Forum, under 1933 Superposed, you'll find the story, including a bunch of stuff about the Askins family. The thread is now on page five of the Browning Forum. Over 30K hits since Nov. 2007.
Check it out (be sure you have some extra time)...
Bought that one and another from Jaquay's when PR's went out of business. They had a couple hundred of them. Should have bought many more. Still have and hunt the other. A 20/16 two barrel set on a 20Ga frame. Which would be this one.
However, this one comes out when I decide to get evil. Model 59 Winchester.
My Father's 16Ga Parker with Miller trigger-and the prerequisite BP box-run of the mill wood added to the back.
What it does best. Don't know who the guy is with all that dark hair. "Duffy", The best I have ever had. Shotguns should have a Dog with them, so bear with me.
Battue you have me lmao! Great picture of you????? LOL. You got Tobey in the picture with a grouse and a semi. Poor Tobey bring him here I will give him a good home. With a respectable own that will frame him in pictures with side by sides. LMAO. Have a great 4th of July weekend buddy. Wife and I are heading up to Maine tonight for the weekend.
Yea that be me.!!!! 25years ago to be exact. You want funny? I have some, that I if I put them on a disk and post, border on scary funny.
Just came back from a 2.5hour hike with a 40lb pack just so I can try to keep up with you young Bucks. I'm guessing I look kind of funny now too. Hey, its all cool.
You also, drive safe and have fun. Talk to you later and we will plan on hooking up for a shoot.
Marine Magnum, SpeedFeed stock. Home protection. Savage 24D, .22 LR over 20-gauge. My first shotgun I hunted with. Weatherby Grade III Athena 12-gauge (Made by SKB) SKB 885 20-Gauge (They fit me lkike a glove.) Winchester Model 25 (Poor man's Model 12. My Grandpa Turk bought this in 1954) Winchester 1897 My Great Grandpa Graham's shotgun, he bought used before WWI. This one was built in 1900.
Shotguns can be many things. Tools to feed a family, protect ones loved ones. and a work of art. A lot of history in these 6.
New shootin iron! I have been looking for an 1100 LT 20ga and stumbled on this 870 28ga with a factory skeet barrel, should make a great grouse/woodcock gun.
Gun is near mint save the 2 small rust sopts seen in the 3rd pic. Love me some 28ga!
Passport, that's a sweet-looking little 1100 there!
I don't have much experience behind a 28-gauge. I'm really a pretty terrible wingshot and need all the lead out there I can muster, so I tend to stick with 12's. (If they allowed me to hunt pheasants from a 4-wheeler with a 2-gauge punt gun I'd probably give it a go...)
But I do really like the Remington 1100, and that is a fine specimen. Enjoy!
I love those old Savage/Valmets: they always work. Just gave my Marine son my 330 12 ga. 28" M/F, but I still have 2 Model 2400 combination guns, a 12x.222 Rem and a 12x.308 Win, a custom-stocked 333 Skeet 12 ga., and an original 12 ga Valmet "Lion" from before Savage started importing them. Like most Finnish arms, they were designed to work in the very coldest weather, and they do.
The "Valmet" top locking system was originally designed in Bohemia (before it was Czechoslovakia), patented in France in 1922 and manufactured in France in the 1920s, then incorporated in the Remington Model 32 in 1932 when the European patent expired. Remington made the models 32 and 3200 on that patent, then Kreighoff started using it after WWII and Valmet in the early 1950s. Savage began importing Valmets in the mid-1960s and stopped in the early 1970s. Then they began making them in Italy (Tikka) and still do, I think.
Passport, 0000 steel-wool and some light gun oil will take those to little splotches of rust right off, just don't be too aggressive. Nice Shotgun! Fishfowler, I really like those old doubles being used by youngsters - classy!
Here's my collection of shotguns. Top gun is Winchester Super X 1 12 ga. 2nd is a Beretta 391 12 ga. 3rd is a Baikal 28 gauge O/U and the bottom one is a Browning BPS 12 ga. Sure wouldn't mind to add a 20 ga auto to the batch
my latest and first hammerless sidelock... Lefever D...
Years of beat up stock is hiding some great walnut...well heck the whole gun could use a good cleaning but seems to be an honest gun with good bores and no cracks.
Here are the shotguns I have accumulated over the years. I have had the top two so long I don't even remember how I acquired them. From top to bottom - Single shot 410 EXCEL - Mossberg Bolt Action 20 Gauge with a clip and Poly-Choke - Browning A5 Belgium 20 Gauge with extra barrel - Remington 3200.
my latest and first hammerless sidelock... Lefever D...
Years of beat up stock is hiding some great walnut...well heck the whole gun could use a good cleaning but seems to be an honest gun with good bores and no cracks.
This is a beautiful gun. Well played sir. I hope it brings you a lifetime of shooting pleasure.
I hunted all one fall in Ireland with a "black widow" BRNO just like that one. Borrowed it from one of my wife's many Donegal relatives. Probably totally illegal but the local Garda hunted with us, so apparently nobody cared. This was, however, in the mid-1960s before "The Troubles" started up again in Ulster.
My latest acquisition: a Remington model 32 built in 1932 and restocked by Sherman Mays. 30" barrels choked full/full and a set of Briley 20ga full length fitted tubes.
Here's a nice old Ithaca M37 in 20ga. I've been looking for one with 26" VR bbl and factory IC choke for quite a while. When this one popped up here in Canada for less than $300/shipped, I jumped on it. Nothing special compared to most in this thread, but a nice find nonetheless.
My latest acquisition: a Remington model 32 built in 1932 and restocked by Sherman Mays. 30" barrels choked full/full and a set of Briley 20ga full length fitted tubes.
Sherman did the stock on my K80 and on my Winchester 101. He does a great job.
English droplock SxS, Italian sidelocks and good old American Pumps
But as much as I love European doubles I have a soft spot for M-12's, especially SR 16 & 20 ga versions, and had this one built for ptarmigan hunting here on the Alaskan peninsula.
I spent Sunday afternoon shooting the local 5 stand with my 20ga SxS Zoli's. From left to right Antonio Zoli Silver Hawk, Antonio Zoli Silver Fox and Kleinguenther F.lli Zoli
English droplock SxS, Italian sidelocks and good old American Pumps
But as much as I love European doubles I have a soft spot for M-12's, especially SR 16 & 20 ga versions, and had this one built for ptarmigan hunting here on the Alaskan peninsula.
Weagle, I'm happy to see somebody else who appreciates Antonio Zoli doubles! The "Silver Hawk" is a real sleeper if you can find one. The only thing I've never understood is why the Italians insist on chambering lightweight 20s and 12s made for upland shooting for the 3" magnum shells. I did find that 3" steel 4s worked fairly well in my 20s for pheasants where you can't use lead, but the 3" 12s in that light a gun (or a Ruger Gold Label, for that matter) are just flinch makers....
As I remember, Browning did some tests back in the 1950s with 3" chambers and 2 3/4" ammo. They found they had marginally better patters with 2 3/4" ammo out of 3" chambers than they got out of 2 3/4" chambers, so they figured "why not 3?".
English droplock SxS, Italian sidelocks and good old American Pumps
But as much as I love European doubles I have a soft spot for M-12's, especially SR 16 & 20 ga versions, and had this one built for ptarmigan hunting here on the Alaskan peninsula.
My shotguns are not as fancy as some of you guys have but they serve me well. I have a 1968 Remington 870 Wingmaster, Benelli Super 90 and a Marocchi O/U 12ga. mod. Zero 3
I have an old style Ruger 20 with the blue receiver with 26" barrels choked sk/sk. It is in the back of the vault and I have not shot it in years. Good old gun, it is what I bought when I was starting to shoot skeet when I stopped shooting a pump.
The Marocchi are very good shotguns, IMO. I used one in Africa in 9,3X74R & 12ga. It was their gun they made for the Valmet 412/512 line. It had double triggers and was very well made and reliable.
Looks like some vintage and very fine Ithaca trap guns.
Is that a Remington sitting between the '97 and M-12?
DF
1934 Remington 31 12 ga. Riot.
1919 Baker Elite and a 1927 Ithaca 4e
The Ithaca 4E Knick shipped April 14, 1927 to a C.R Swartz in Kenyon, Ohio, and is my regular trap gun. There might be better guns out there, but I doubt it:
The more I read and study those old shotgun gurus, the more amazed I am by what they knew. They were masters of the shotgun choke.
By chance, I ended up with Major Charles Askins Senior's personal Browning Superposed, built to his specifications for hunting desert quail. I've since acquired some of his books and am very impressed by his depth of knowledge and fine writing style. He was one of the top shotgun writers in his day, in fact, was the highest paid gunwriter of that era.
The SGW link previously posted gives the story. Pretty neat bit of history.
Looks like some vintage and very fine Ithaca trap guns.
Is that a Remington sitting between the '97 and M-12?
DF
1934 Remington 31 12 ga. Riot.
1919 Baker Elite and a 1927 Ithaca 4e
The Ithaca 4E Knick shipped April 14, 1927 to a C.R Swartz in Kenyon, Ohio, and is my regular trap gun. There might be better guns out there, but I doubt it:
not to knock the gun AT ALL, as the Ithaca SBTs are great guns, but up through 4Es are really pretty common and don't bring huge money at all. Even the 5-7s don't bring stupid money for the amount of engraving... and it should be noted that Ithaca routinely used much nicer wood on all grades of guns than any other major SxS builder of the era. I have owned or own two Grade 2s and both have exception wood for a pretty basic level of shotgun.
I think the Baker probably would command a bit more just on rarity sake more than anything...Baker doubles like the "black beauty are not uncommon but I certainly don't see a lot of the SBTs around.
just my $.02.
And DF, I can claim basically no part of the Pieper restoration other than writing the check and sourcing the buttplate which came from some GREAT help from a fellow campfire member who took a great deal of risk and bore some initial expense to help me get a duplicate made... great ppl here on the fire.
PS.... look very closely at the damascus and tell me what you see... its pretty incredible if you ask me and is why I restored the gun... I have only a basic understanding of how damascus is made but this sure as hell has me perplexed on how it could be done...
My kids used to make fancy designs by assembling acrylic clay of different colors and re-rolling it and cutting it etc. This has to be something similar. Just amazing!
PS.... look very closely at the damascus and tell me what you see... its pretty incredible if you ask me and is why I restored the gun... I have only a basic understanding of how damascus is made but this sure as hell has me perplexed on how it could be done...
I had been looking at that pattern. A lost art, no doubt.
That may not even be Damascus. It could be a pattern put on the gun to make it look Damascus. In those days, the Damascus gun had a better reputation than the fluid steel barrels of the day...
That may not even be Damascus. It could be a pattern put on the gun to make it look Damascus. In those days, the Damascus gun had a better reputation than the fluid steel barrels of the day...
Hmmm...
Now, that would make a lot of sense. How in the world could a Damascus craftsman repeatedly incorporate letters into his process. I'd think that would be just about impossible. Wonder how they put that pattern in place such that it would last?
Only 5740 Ithaca Knick SBT's were made. The nice thing is that they do not sell for stupid money. My original gun from 1927 was about $1005. In it's time it was the best of the best and it's like driving a 55 Chevy convertable.
Originally Posted by lovemy99
not to knock the gun AT ALL, as the Ithaca SBTs are great guns, but up through 4Es are really pretty common and don't bring huge money at all. Even the 5-7s don't bring stupid money for the amount of engraving... and it should be noted that Ithaca routinely used much nicer wood on all grades of guns than any other major SxS builder of the era. I have owned or own two Grade 2s and both have exception wood for a pretty basic level of shotgun.
I think the Baker probably would command a bit more just on rarity sake more than anything...Baker doubles like the "black beauty are not uncommon but I certainly don't see a lot of the SBTs around.
just my $.02.
And DF, I can claim basically no part of the Pieper restoration other than writing the check and sourcing the buttplate which came from some GREAT help from a fellow campfire member who took a great deal of risk and bore some initial expense to help me get a duplicate made... great ppl here on the fire.
Only 5740 Ithaca Knick SBT's were made. The nice thing is that they do not sell for stupid money. My original gun from 1927 was about $1005. In it's time it was the best of the best and it's like driving a 55 Chevy convertable.
Originally Posted by lovemy99
not to knock the gun AT ALL, as the Ithaca SBTs are great guns, but up through 4Es are really pretty common and don't bring huge money at all. Even the 5-7s don't bring stupid money for the amount of engraving... and it should be noted that Ithaca routinely used much nicer wood on all grades of guns than any other major SxS builder of the era. I have owned or own two Grade 2s and both have exception wood for a pretty basic level of shotgun.
I think the Baker probably would command a bit more just on rarity sake more than anything...Baker doubles like the "black beauty are not uncommon but I certainly don't see a lot of the SBTs around.
just my $.02.
And DF, I can claim basically no part of the Pieper restoration other than writing the check and sourcing the buttplate which came from some GREAT help from a fellow campfire member who took a great deal of risk and bore some initial expense to help me get a duplicate made... great ppl here on the fire.
that's a ton of SBTs compared to most makers of the era... Fox made a little over 400 total.
coincidentally, I saw a 5E SBT at auction just today, listed with an expected sales price of $2000-$3000.
That may not even be Damascus. It could be a pattern put on the gun to make it look Damascus. In those days, the Damascus gun had a better reputation than the fluid steel barrels of the day...
It's real damascus... I just had the barrels "reblacked" by one of the most well known damascus barrel guys in the US (he actually did the whole restoration). I think it would be equally as impressive to put some sort of even and repeatable "coating" on a set of barrels in 1889 and have it still be visible this many years later.
Here is a good before picture showing the years of slow rusting that hid the underneath pattern after a light sanding...
I am somewhat hesitant to admit that I had no idea about the barrels when I bought the gun... just pure dumb luck... was looking for an cheap and nice hammer gun to consider restoring and playing with myself.
DF, there are lots of Pieper guns out there...one of the first to "mass produce" guns... they made single shot rim-fires, pistols, shotguns, and rifle/shotgun combos. However, you won't find very many with that damascus on them (or this grade of wood)...
I've done quite a good bit of research on the subject and have only found one other known gun with this damascus. There are likely a few others but at this point can't imagine there are too many.
Pieper is most famous for the breech block barrel design. The chamber area of this gun are fluid steel but the barrels are obviously the damascus pattern...
The barrels are engraved "Grand Prize Paris Exhibition 1889"
The most common Peiper guns in the US are their bottom-of-the-line "farmer doubles" sold by Wards and others as the "Bayard Arms" brand. Most of them are very worn by now and probably not shooters any more, but one in good condition can be shot after being checked by a seriously expert "old doubles" gunsmith, as long as you use 2 1/2" black powder or low pressure smokeless shells. They don't have the fluid steel monobloc breach that many of the higher grade Peipers (like the one shown) have.
I have my great grandfather's Peiper "Cape gun," a side-by-side hammer combination gun on a miniature frame that was made with a 2" .410/12mm shotgun barrel on the right side and a ".44 Largo" (.44-40 WCF) barrel on the left. He bought it in Panama City in the first decade of the 20th century. It also has damascus barrels (no fancy pattern) with the steel monobloc breach.
Peiper guns are very under-appreciated in the US, IMO.
This arrived last May. A 16 gauge flintlock fowler by Mike Brooks. Been shooting Trap with it and working up loads. It goes into the field next week when the Upland season opens in PA.
Now THAT is class. I think MY once-a-year single shot shotgun hunt is a "handicap" event. This takes it to a whole new level of expertise!
Beautiful. I want one, but I'd insist on "all modern conveniences,"meaning a percussion cap action. Just not ready for flint, although it would sure be easy to "keep your powder dry" here in Sou Cal....
This arrived last May. A 16 gauge flintlock fowler by Mike Brooks. Been shooting Trap with it and working up loads. It goes into the field next week when the Upland season opens in PA.
holy crud... that's going to be adding a unique challenge to upland hunting!! What does that thing weight? This would certainly require that follow through thing...
I like your style and can respect the challenge that you are adding... but I hope you have a dog that holds them tight!
Here are a couple of my Rugers, a 28 and a 20. The 20 is the blued one, an early gun, engraved, and has been very reliable over the years. Its a bit to heavy for a 20 bore. The 28 is a delight to carry and as good a quail gun as I have had.
I too have a Red Label 28. Mine has the 28" barrels. Deadly. Wish I'd got a 28 40 years ago.
Also like the restrained style of the engraving on your 20. Too many of them are just overdone. Yours is--classy. Easy to look at but doesn't yell out "Look at me; I'm classy!"
Yes, it would be very interesting to know who the engraver was. Many of them kinda go overboard with the decoration; yours didn't.
One thing I will say in defense of Ruger's 20 guages is that you can actually shoot 3" shells in their 3" chambers without getting socked with recoil because their weight helps slow the recoil impulse. So if you have to use the 20 for everything from bunnies to gobblers or geese or coyotes, you CAN. I own several Italian double 20 magnums (A. Zoli SxS and Beretta O/U) and they are nice and light to carry for upland hunting but kick like crazy with magnum shells.
When Ruger did make a lightweight double (the Gold Label 12 SxS), they stayed with 3" chambers. I've only fired 3" magnums in mine once. That was quite enough.
Neat!!! First 31R I've ever seen--kind of a rare bird! The "Cadillac of Riot Guns"??? (Or is that the Belgian Browning Auto Fives the Brits used to issue for jungle warfare?).
Hello everyone, I also have gun and I wanted to share the photo with you people but unfortunately I don't know how to share a photo, so please must tell me how I can i post, and I also really admire to pullit because he have a nice one,
Here's my 20 gauge Thomas Bland and Sons , Damascus , nitro proofed. Next to it is the 16 gauge FAIR 40th Anniversaire that I got for a birthday present from the wife- 40 only in each gauge and no 12's! This one is super light, back trigger is the IC, front is mod on the 28"barrel, but as ordered by me.
Here's the Bland in its case, rosewood rod sits under the barrels.
This arrived last May. A 16 gauge flintlock fowler by Mike Brooks. Been shooting Trap with it and working up loads. It goes into the field next week when the Upland season opens in PA.
holy crud... that's going to be adding a unique challenge to upland hunting!! What does that thing weight? This would certainly require that follow through thing...
I like your style and can respect the challenge that you are adding... but I hope you have a dog that holds them tight!
Sorry that I missed your question when it was posted. How much does it weigh? Six pounds four ounces. Points like a wand. Pete
Always wanted a nice English style double and finally found one for a decent price. Grulla 12 gauge 27-1/2" barrels. Best as I can tell it is a Model 209E.
That Anthena has spectacular wood!! here's a pick of my son and his skeet gun, it's a mauser 76, but OEM by Gamba. Super gun swings beautifully! Cat
I just looked at this pic again and realized that I made a terrible mistake!! That is not his Gamba, but in fact a custom ordered FAIR LX600 goose with 34" barrels , and 12 gauge 3 1/2" chambers!! Cat
Wow! Some awesome shotguns here. This was my main duck and goose gun this year. A cheapie Dehann imported Turkish huglu. Kilt lots of birds with it this season.
Didn't think this one would ever come back to normal. While in the process of taking a fall that I knew was going to last a few seconds I wanted rid of the shotgun and gave it a pitch up the hill. When I climbed back up, the stock was cracked and shattered thru the wrist. One good twist would have left it in two pieces.
Knew a fellow who I thought maybe able to bring it back, but it turns out he retired and trained a young kid to follow in his footsteps. He said don't worry Wes will do just fine. Trusted the lad and more than happy with how it turned out.
Parker Reproduction: 20/16 Ga two barrel set. Case Hardening is gone from the receiver and the 16Ga barrel has lost most of its blue. 20Ga barrels are virgin for the exception of one Grouse kill. The 16 barrels have taken more than I could ever remember. The stock was pretty beat up before the fall from hanging around the Grouse wood for almost 20 years. Time to start over and the wear the shine off again. Hoopefully without breaking it.
Young Buck who works out of Joel Etchen guns outside of Ligonier. Ask for Wes. Probably stronger than before I broke it. You can't find the break and it was one twist away from being in two pieces.
The refinish and checkering recut is as good as I've seen.
Here's a cheap ol' Davidson 16ga. Choked M/F, and I'd really like to open it up to M/IC or LM/LM. I also need to send it somewhere that knows something about SxSs...sometimes the firing pins hang in the brass and she doesn't want to break open right. It's nothing fancy, but I had been eyeing this gun almost every day for about 6 months after school when I was 12 or so, and I got it for my birthday that year. Like I said, it's just a cheap old Spanish made gun, but I love it. I might buy a few boxes of 16ga classic double Hevi-shot and try to kill a few limits of ducks with it this year.
1926 M12 12ga solid rib barrel. The barrel is 26" and has screw in chokes. The barrel at the muzzle was crushed and the barrel was cut and modified for the choke tubes.
Merkel 400 Leightweight Field SXS, 12GA fixed choke improved cylinder & improved modified, bought off a fellow Campfire member. Love it, crazy light and shoulders perfectly. A keeper for sure.
Today I retrieved my model 12 heavy duck with a solid rib and my 1950's model 1897 from the local gunshop.. Had them up for sale for about a month or more.. Finally decided even if I didn't shoot them much, I loved having them in the safe!! Did sell a model 37 solid rib to my best pal, so now I have something to search for at the gunshows...
Here is what is left of my Merkel 2001 E. It was given to me by my wife for my 50th birthday. It is a 12ga, extra fancy wood 28 inch barrels and pure death in a dove field. Ever since it was stolen it has been back to a 30year old Browning pump. Maybe one day the Merkel will find its way home.
I posted the picture in the quote above a few years ago. Haven't seen or heard from the Merkel. The picture below is what I got to replace it. It spent a few years with a friend of mine that does some engraving. It is a Ruger Gold Label. I like the way it shoots and handles much better than the Merkel and with the interchangeable choke tubes it will be much more versatile.
Make sure you have a cylinder bore and an improved cylinder for the woodies on the creek. I can't wait to see some scratches and duck blood on that one.
I have one and love it; never could have afforded one but my older brother bought TWO and gave me one for a retirement present! Mine is the pistol-gripped version, which he knows I prefer.
First shot with it took a wild pheasant; not an easy shot, either. Out here in CA I only hunt with it on the flatlands, tho. Chukarland isn't a place for a fine shotgun, IMO--too many chances of denting the barrels on the lava....I carry an Italian 20 ga beater when we go into the rocks.
It was custom engraved. The guy doesn't normally engrave firearms and from what he said about the toughness of the Gold Label steel, I don't think he wants to engrave another. I might see him this weekend and I will see if he is open to the idea.
Here's a cheap ol' Davidson 16ga. Choked M/F, and I'd really like to open it up to M/IC or LM/LM. I also need to send it somewhere that knows something about SxSs...sometimes the firing pins hang in the brass and she doesn't want to break open right.
If the cocking levers extend forward from the frame into the forend iron it may be a simple fix.
Picked up this Spanish SXS 28 Gauge yesterday. Imported by Richland Arms, built by G. Zabalay.
This is my son with his Ruger Red Label 28, he is 21 now and won't leave it with me, so I got my own 28, actually my second 28 because I have a T/C 28 too.
Shrapnel, what's goin' on here? That "turkey gun" has no extended supertight magical Venturi-bored choke, no camo paint, and it ain't even an automagic.... And where's the camo variable scope with the "Turkey Plex" reticle?
Here is a nice scratched up Hume sidelever that can still shoot grouse despite it's ratty condition. These heavy old Burmingham guns sure aren't any pleasure to drag into the field...
Battue, nice dog photos again.. How did the 28 ga. do for you this fall???? I haven't shot mine for three years or so.. For a couple years I shot all my forest grouse with it and quite a few sage grouse.. Need to get it out again..
shrapnel, nice shotguns as always.. you have some real gems.. Do You still have the Burgess folding shotgun???
It has done ok. We are batting around .300 with it. Could have been better in that I have missed some eaaaaasy shots with it, but that is ok also. However with IC choke it has hammered Birds that were centered. I've been impressed with how well the 28 does. Have shot clays with Improved choke and with the advantage of knowing where and when it impresses even more. Summation is it carries easy, shoots straight and misses are on me. Have switched off with it and the Model 12 16g and the Model 59 12. The Parker Repo 16g hopefully will get some wood time this week.
shrapnel, nice shotguns as always.. you have some real gems.. Do You still have the Burgess folding shotgun???
It isn't a folder, but a takedown and I still have it. Here is another nice and uncommon shotgun, a Colt model 1878 12 gauge with some engraving and an ivory bead...
Ah! Another Gem.. When I had my collection of doubles, I wanted a shootable hammer gun in the worst way.. Never did get it.. Do you shoot these old hammer guns with black powder loads.. Beautiful weapons. Thanks for the photos..
Battue, good luck on the birds.. this was the worst grouse season I have had in quite a few years.. Always next year.. Best of luck to you..
You can't tell without the aviators, but that is the newest Campfire moderator and his Benelli 20 gauge making a fine shot on a Sharptail in North-Central Montana on a private ranch where the owner didn't want us to be...
First one is a simple Rem. 870 Super Express which is the beater goose gun. Second one is a Rem. 870 Wingmaster. The banded goose is one I shot this year in Colorado. It was a non typical migration, it was banded in Alaska in 2003.
Picked up this George Daw hammergun a couple months ago. Last week I got an opprtunity to take it out for turkeys and the old gun still works. It was made in the 1860's, very early in the cartridge firing world...
Picked up this George Daw hammergun a couple months ago. Last week I got an opprtunity to take it out for turkeys and the old gun still works. It was made in the 1860's, very early in the cartridge firing world...
Picked up this George Daw hammergun a couple months ago. Last week I got an opprtunity to take it out for turkeys and the old gun still works. It was made in the 1860's, very early in the cartridge firing world...
But do you enjoy using them? Not everyone does, but you have to admire the craftsmanship. They are well built machines.
I enjoy shooting mine. Carrying it for more than a short period, not so much.
Originally Posted by passport
Nice Super-X1!!! I have never owned one but would like to take one for a walk someday
Thanks! Like I said above, they aren't for everyone. They are heavy, and not everyone likes a heavy shotgun. I had never shot a semi automatic (or any 'nice' shotguns) until I got the SX1, so I was really impressed with the lack of recoil and how easy it was to point.
Yes, I did. Shot them for a few years. Originally in trap years ago and they were made for the game. Then sporting, however they took more than a little maintenance compared to what is out there today, and then parts became an issue when something broke. Which is why I have extras and contrary to what many say they will go down when used hard and I became tired of worrying about it. A crisp trigger never was on of there strong points.
No doubt heavy and your trap model is probably the heaviest. A field grad with 26in barrel isn't all that bad depending on what you are hunting. If I shot Skeet and did it for pure fun I could see me using one.
Docs comment on cleaning reminded me. If you are going to shoot a SuperX1 more than a little then a stainless steel magazine tube would be a wise investment.
Docs comment on cleaning reminded me. If you are going to shoot a SuperX1 more than a little then a stainless steel magazine tube would be a wise investment.
The Super X short stroke gas system ( as good as it is) does create more moisture on the mag tube than the Remington 1100 gas system. All mine Super X'do have the stainless mag tubes.
The Beretta 300/390/391 mag tubes are annodized aluminum and don't have the corrosion issues.
I DO NOT SHOOT ANY OF MY AUTO SHOTGUNS "DRY", a coating of Breakfree on the mag tube prevents carbon build-up and they run longer in-between cleanings. I also use axle grease on the action bars and and other parts showing blue wear ( where the blue is being worn off in the auto cycling process over time).
The Remington's show more gun blue wear than the Winchester Super X and almost none on the Beretta 390's.
No doubt heavy and your trap model is probably the heaviest. A field grad with 26in barrel isn't all that bad depending on what you are hunting.
I'll keep that in mind if I ever see one for sale. The SX1 is the only shotgun I've ever owned that made my shoulder sore from carrying it and not from shooting it.
The last turkey gun I had was a 870 Super Mag. I often regret selling it. There's nothing like 3.5" 12 gauge shells filled with nineteen 00 pellets to make you feel safe in the woods. I shot this gun quite a bit and never had an issue out of it.
Yes, that is a cheap ass red dot scope that came with the gun. That yellow colored thing below the magazine tube is a morel mushroom, my reason for being in the woods.
Docs comment on cleaning reminded me. If you are going to shoot a SuperX1 more than a little then a stainless steel magazine tube would be a wise investment.
I'll keep that in mind also. I've had it out twice for shooting hand thrown clays. Between patterning, clays, and hunting, I've put a little over two hundred rounds through it in two years. Not what I'd call excessive shooting. It is quite humid where I live though. Might be a good idea anyway.
I have replaced the buffer by the way. It didn't have one when I got it. I removed the trigger group and bolt as well so I could clean them and replace the cocking handle that I lost in the woods. I have yet to take it apart any further, but I'm sure the O rings will need some attention one day.
Forgot about the buffer. The originals get brittle with time.
A 26 in field SuperX 1 isn't exactly light for all day carrying, but not obnoxious either. Wouldn't be excited about carrying one all day at the ready for Ruffed Grouse, but have walked a good bit for Pheasants with one. They are great for pass shooting Doves and have used one for Geese years ago. Have also use one for spring Turkey.
I have one I have shot around 20,000 for clays. Replaced the buffer a couple times and the stock spring just for the heck of it. Have also lost a charging handle. Some are in there tight and some not so tight.
The trigger group does tend to get dirty with heavy use, more so than most modern autoloaders.
DITTO!! Don't see the higher end Remingtons too often, let alone several of them. I saw a very high end one sell at auction a year or two ago that sold very reasonably and regret not bidding on it! In my opinion, the engraving was much better than many of the gun makers of the era, ie Parker.
DITTO!! Don't see the higher end Remingtons too often, let alone several of them. I saw a very high end one sell at auction a year or two ago that sold very reasonably and regret not bidding on it! In my opinion, the engraving was much better than many of the gun makers of the era, ie Parker.
Color me jealous!
Thank you!
Joseph Loy, employed at Remington, did most of the engraving on the high grade Remingtons. You can instantly tell his work from the realistic looking critters that he did, which I love on any gun rather than just scroll. "Not too exciting" of engraving has kept me from buying a Parker.
Beautiful Remington SxSs; very under-rated doubles.
That single 28 is a gun that you just don't ever see. Most of the Remington singles that I've seen were more common guages and in TRULY wrecked condition, usually not all there. For some reason they often seem to have lost their forends.
what grade is the Lefever, must be a pretty early one to be a true sidelock. I have an early DE that is a true sidelock... can't recall when they switched to having side plates but ultimately box locks.
It's a DS grade from 1912. It was 1921 when Ithaca came out with the Nitro Special, which was the box lock Lefever. Ithaca actually bought them in 1916 and assembled the remaining side lock stock from what I've read. I never cared much for the look of the Nitro Special, kind of clubby. I guess they were a pretty tough gun but very utilitarian.
I did read and saw a picture once of a box lock that Dan Lefever made. It was a beautiful gun. I'll have to look around to see if I can find that article.
I was thinking that even the sideplated guns made before Ithaca were not true sidelocks less the earliest ones. Maybe around the same time they changed the barrel hook. I could be way off base.... should look at a later GE that I have.
Okay, I'll show you a couple of my 'pawn shop rescue' guns. Here are a pair ( a brace?) of 16 gauges shotguns that I recently took out for a little clay target shooting. One is a Remington Model 11 Sportsman and the other a Savage Model 755A. The latter holds the distinction of being the heaviest shotgun I own; it has to weigh close to 9 pounds.
Took the last two Model 12's I've acquired out for some clays today with the oldest son working the thrower. Picked up the 12 on the left about 3 weeks ago. 30" full 12 ga. Mfg in 1921. Middle 12 is a 28" full 12 ga. Mfg in 1934. Picked it up last week. The double is my trusty old Husqvarna.
Not sure if I ever posted this if ignore.. After selling my collection of doubles about 12 or more years ago, I went with my favorite the pump gun.. Have model 12's and model 31's and model 97's.. But my favorites are here: on the left is my old 870 field 12ga. It has been in action since the mid 1970's.. In the middle is a 20 ga. love it, but still am a 12 bore man at heart I guess.. On the right is a special field 12.. My desert quail gun.. Have a 28 in and 870 also.. was my forest grouse gun for a couple years.. still use it once in a while.. Old friends each one..
I have been in the habit of trading away and one I regret is my mid-60's vintage 870 Wing master. The 28" tube with a fixed modified choke was about the perfect storm for Iowa pheasants.
And even I could field strip it, clean it, and move on to the next field.
My three favorites, top is a '57 Superposed 20g long tang round knob middle is a '72 BSS 20g and bottom is a '71 BSS 12g both very early examples of the first guns Miroku produced for Browning in the BSS line.
The C.S. Holmes was owned by the Backland family and sailed to Point Barrow in the fur trade. It was one of the last working 4 masted schooners and many photographs exist of it.
During the 1930s Seattle dock strike the Backlands bought shotguns and sawed some of them off to 18.5 inches. These were kept the ship's hold.
~1952 my aunt married young Captain Backland, after the ship sank in WWII. The shotguns survived and a sawed off Winchester 1897 made in 1939 was given to my father in 1959 for Christmas. He had Warshall's of Seattle fit a new Winchester barrel.
In 1963 my father bought himself a new Remington 1100 and the 1897 was passed down to me, at age 12. While dove hunting in Topinish WA, I fell in volcanic soil, and then next time I fired, the muzzle peeled like a banana. We went to a gas station and borrowed a hack saw. The 1897 was sawed off again. My father cut off part of the butt to fit my 85 pound frame.
By the time I was 14, I weighed 100 pounds and could limit on pheasants in Warden WA before my father or his friends could get off a shot. I was with a shotgun like 14 years olds are today with video games. I could shoot pheasants from the hip with my sawed off 1897. And the dogs liked me best. My father had a Poly Choke fitted on the muzzle.
In 2000 I was in Lynnwood Guns and Ammo and said I was trying relive my boyhood and looking for another 1897 with a poly choke. I was led into the back room where there was more than enough parts to build one. I paid $75 for the parts. I got the AGI video on 1897 Winchesters [excellent video] and assembled another one.
Wow! Dave, the stock on that Garbi is gorgeous!!! I can't wait to see your Zubillaga... I've been thinking of one since you sent me the link... it expect it will be even more bespoke.
Where are you at in WA state? Assuming East side based on the yote. I recently bought a Manufrance but not a Robust... I really dig it and need to get pictures up. Wondering if anyone knows where I can get the old inertia reels that were any many of these for slings? I should probably start a separate thread for that.
Funny you should ask about the retractable sling, I have an extra one here but already have a deal going on to sell it. If it falls through I'll contact you.
Did you get an Ideal? I picked up Costo-Super, it is an Ideal with Robust style barrels made by Manufrance to be sold in gun shops not out of the MF catalog.
Yeah its a Manufrance Ideal. I happen to think its a really neat shotgun. If your deal falls through on the sling, please let me know, I am going to have this gun cleaned up and restocked soon and would like to put an original back in.
Living in an area that is shotgun only had me wanting something that would keep me from driving 3 hours to the rifle zones. My new RBL Professional 20 gauge SXS slug gun is going to be a lot of fun to use this season.
The guy that owned it got good accuracy but was a bit recoil shy at age 75. I was told he shot it less than 20 times over the years he had it. We had a nasty winter and I just have not had the time.
Hopefullly in the next few weeks I will get out there. Contrary to CSMC's recommendation, I was told that this guy regulated it with Federal not Remington or Winchester sabots. But we shall see.
How about an Ithaca Supreme Grade 20 gauge, made in '77...mint with box. 26" improved cyl. Nice wood and hand-checkered. I have 2 of these Supreme Grades; the other is a 12 gauge Trap Grade Supreme from 1970. Also mint with gorgeous wood. Bob
Problem with your "Euro trash" is you. In that your ego refuses to allow someone else to have the spotlight for a couple minutes. When it comes to those Parkers, you are sucking hind tit.
Problem with your "Euro trash" is you. In that your ego refuses to allow someone else to have the spotlight for a couple minutes. When it comes to those Parkers, you are sucking hind tit.
I know, it sucks.
Don't forget to mention you can't afford them.
And double-super remember you don't live in good bird country.
An uckin' fugly Jap shotgun...... Something we can ALL agree to hate. It's a 2nd year production BPS 10 shortened, re-choked and forcing cone out 5". Wears a C-N-C XXX-full tube and a custom 3-color Krylon camo job ala me. Ugly as a mud fence but hammers turkeybirds and geese like an atomic bomb. Oh, yeah...... her name is Geraldine.
SUPPOSEDLY to give less pellet deformation and hence a more uniform pattern. Also SUPPOSEDLY to reduce recoil. It dis give a more uniform pattern. But not enough to be statistically significant. Didn't do chit to reduce recoil. Neither did the ported choke tube. Bu the C-N-C tube is the KEY to making this particular BPS what it is. AWESOME tube !!!!
Here's an 870TC from the custom shop, made in 1971. I've had this one since I was 16 or so. It cost me $231.00 and change; I worked all summer for it. My parents threw in $50.00 because I was still a little short when it came in. Bob
RGK, Nice 870.. Never thought of one from the custom shop.. My 870 Trap has a beautiful piece of wood on it, but the slide is very long, comes back to the receiver.. Otherwise I would hunt with it more often..
Here's an 870TC from the custom shop, made in 1970 or so. I've had this one since I was 16 or so. It cost me $231.00 and change; I worked all summer for it. My parents threw in $50.00 because I was still a little short when it came in. Bob
My main trap gun is a 870TC mfg in 1969. Their magic.
Here's an 870TC from the custom shop, made in 1971. I've had this one since I was 16 or so. It cost me $231.00 and change; I worked all summer for it. My parents threw in $50.00 because I was still a little short when it came in. Bob
Nice old classic shotgun...congrat's for holding onto the 870 for all these years.
I bought it in the white. It started life as a field grade 16 gauge FW. The former owner had it restocked and I had it engraved. I guess it is my version of a poor man's Crown Grade.
My 1969 Browning A-5 Light 12. Surprisingly well balanced and fast in the hands. With field loads, this shotgun it kicks so little it does not need a pad. I'm not a great wingshot but this gun is a natural hitter for me.
Here are the two O/Us in my safe. Top one is my sons Weatherby Orion 12 gauge, 28" barrels. Made by SKB. Bottom one is my 1964 Winchester 101 12 gauge, 2 3/4" chamber, 28" barrels. Made by Kendosha.
Here are the two O/Us in my safe. Top one is my sons Weatherby Orion 12 gauge, 28" barrels. Made by SKB. Bottom one is my 1964 Winchester 101 12 gauge, 2 3/4" chamber, 28" barrels. Made by Kendosha.
SS
Nice guns Sam. Where do you find suitable shot shells for them, esp the Winchester? I just picked up an Ithaca 500 SKB a couple days ago that I plan to use for pheasant hunting. My selection of shotgun shells in SE Alberta is pretty limited.
I haven't had an issue finding 2 3/4" lead loads for the Winchester. Cabelas and Wholesale both have them. I won't be able to shoot steel out of it due to the full choke though.
It is interesting what Steven was able to find through his research. He found where the gun was shipped when it was new. For a gun made in the 1860's, it really is incredible to find one in this condition...
Belgian Sweet 16. Ithaca SKB 100 in 20 gauge. A hardware store variety New England made 20 gauge single shot that spent a lifetime behind my Great Uncle's barn door in New Hampshire where it endured dirt, sand, moisture and paint over spray. Lovingly referred to as the Golden Gun.
I just toook delivery of my Chrismas present to myself a few weeks early. I had to move a Savage 99 EG, an Ithaca dedicated slug gun, a Fox Sterlingworth and an SKB 500 down the road to put a dent in the price but I am definately glad I did.
This custom engraved Citori Gran Lightning with Custom shop D5G deep relief engraving by Ron Reimer. It is a 16 gauge and has 28 inch barrels with choke tubes. I like everything about it except the plastic butplate is kind of cheap. I'll have to take care of that soon.
Thanks for bringing this thread back up. I enjoyed flipping through it.
Here's a photo of four guns.
Top is a 20 ga. M-21 Skeet, 21-A carved wood, second is a Superlight 12 ga., third is a Superlight 20 ga. and finally the 1932 Askins Superposed. I've posted the link previously, will again. Link says 1933, it's actually 1932.
Remington Model 11, 16 gauge. Had the wood redone and the metal ceracoted Midnight Blue. It is flawless with 1oz factory loads and has proven to be a stellar upland gun.
One of these days I'd like to go on one of those fancy GA quail hunts. This gun would be perfect, plenty of class without a lotta bling. Would seem about right for such an outing.
This is the first & only 16 Gauge I have, just got it a few days ago after looking for one for many years (really wanted a 20 or a 12) - Kessler 16 gauge At least it appears 16 Gauge ammunition is more available then it used to be.
ADDED in response to the next post by Mike so as not to add another post - Mike, I found some information about these several years ago that said Numrich had enough part that they sold kit's for the 16 Gauges, don't know about the 20's or 12's.
One of these was recently mentioned in a post on www.leverguns.com I haven't seen one in the flesh for years! Interesting design; probably a little faster on the follow-up shots than a bolt shotgun. I SUSPECT that most of them were bought by guys who were in "shotgun only for deer" states, but have no way of knowing that.
Last one I saw was on the used gun rack at Numrich's in West Hurley, NY. Must have been about 1992. They had parts for them for a long time and I always wondered if that 20 had been assembled by Numrich staff from parts. They did a lot of that "in their spare time." Produced some "rare" guns that way, too. But really cheap "rare guns"!
Photobucket really sucks. I looked back at this thread to find very few pictures survived the debacle. Here is my Webley 12 bore and a gaggle of pheasants...
Not hardly a graded AH Fox or Parker seen. Guess I will have to show up with my 1916 BE or the slightly later AH Fox HE Super Fox 3 in magnum. The HE was the first to be chambered in the 20s for the then-new Super-X 3 in shells. Bert Becker and Fox got the first box and "BoWhoop" of Nash Buckingham did the rest. Last Eastern wild turkey killed with a 3in Long Range LC Smith-1920s gun, of course.
This has been a dead thread for awhile. I got a Webley 12 gauge hammergun for a song. I have been shooting it in cowboy action matches. The English really know how to make a nice shotgun...
Now, house rule here is i can have multiple mud shotguns, but only one huntable pretty (per guage - let’s not be silly). This 12 is fixin’ to hunt come fall.
Merkel 12ga, 2 3/4”, 28”, IC/M. 1939 date stamp, August iirc, just before war broke out.
Now, house rule here is i can have multiple mud shotguns, but only one huntable pretty (per guage - let’s not be silly). This 12 is fixin’ to hunt come fall.
Merkel 12ga, 2 3/4”, 28”, IC/M. 1939 date stamp, August iirc, just before war broke out.
What an amazing piece !!! Guns like THAT are mostly why I don't post pics of MY scrap.
Originally Posted by battue
You will look hard to find anything better....
Originally Posted by sandcritter
Thread needs an awakening.
Now, house rule here is i can have multiple mud shotguns, but only one huntable pretty (per guage - let’s not be silly). This 12 is fixin’ to hunt come fall.
Merkel 12ga, 2 3/4”, 28”, IC/M. 1939 date stamp, August iirc, just before war broke out.
New addition...Parker Reproduction 28 Gauge...26inch...IC/Mod...On a 28 frame... Weather permitting the new Pup will get into some training Birds Monday....Will see how it works...
My newest addition. Merkel 1620...16 gauge built on 20 gauge frame. 28" barrels choked IC/M. She's a lively little gal at 6lbs 2oz 😏
When I bought the Parker Repro 28 they had a Merkel 20 Gauge two barrel set on the counter...It was calling until I saw the chokes...Cyl/Ic on both barrels. Would have made a great Grouse combo, but I wanted something to do double work on Pheasants. So I left it and stumbled onto the Repro 28 Gauge...
New addition...Parker Reproduction 28 Gauge...26inch...IC/Mod...On a 28 frame... Weather permitting the new Pup will get into some training Birds Monday....Will see how it works...
Battue,
You always find a way to impress us......and your new little Parker is impressive. I believe you were looking for a 28 gauge reloader recently, we should have known you bought a new little gem.
This is the only one I currently own, a Mossburg Maverick 88 chambered for 3", I use it for everything.
When I am bow hunting in Grizz country, I carry it my back loaded with slugs and OO Buckshot. When duck and goose hunting starts I simply change the barrel and chokes as needed.
Had to change the stock, because I did not like the fit of the original stock it came with.
I killed this bear with it at about 10 yards. Just can't beat it for home defense either.
1933 Winchester Model 21 Field 12 gauge 28" barrels F/IC double triggers selective ejectors automatic safety double ivory beads Made as a stock item for W.S. Brown, Inc. (a sporting goods retailer in Pittsburgh, PA)
I think there may be a story behind the story of this pic.
Anyway, nice 21….
Not much story.
I believe I had run an arrow through a decent whitetail earlier in the week and found myself looking for something to do that day. So I decided to go looking for fall birds. They didn't cooperate that particular morning. But it was a nice day to carry a vintage gun and take pictures of it.
This Daw shotgun is really a gem. I have displayed it before, but it is worthy of a good close look at an original English beauty that was made in 1866. That is extremely significant, as in 1866, most firearms were still percussion and this is a center fire extracting shotgun on the cutting edge of modern firearms, yet this is 155 yeas ago. The case is also extremely hard to find, as it is made for this gun that has the fore arm still attached to the action, not a separate piece.
It is a scarce gun and real well made, and the same gun graces the cover of Crudgington's "British Shotgun" book.
It is in unbelievable condition and I still shoot it each fall...
This Daw shotgun is really a gem. I have displayed it before, but it is worthy of a good close look at an original English beauty that was made in 1866. That is extremely significant, as in 1866, most firearms were still percussion and this is a center fire extracting shotgun on the cutting edge of modern firearms, yet this is 155 yeas ago. The case is also extremely hard to find, as it is made for this gun that has the fore arm still attached to the action, not a separate piece.
It is a scarce gun and real well made, and the same gun graces the cover of Crudgington's "British Shotgun" book.
It is in unbelievable condition and I still shoot it each fall...
Buncha pretty guns. I have a few of those. Don't use em much.
My bird guns are tools and look like tools.
A nice gun can also be a tool.....And scratches are easily fixed. Makes little sense to have something and not use it. If not, it becomes little more than clutter. You know the old line about life being too short to hunt with an ugly gun.....
These aren't as pretty as those before, but have been in my collection since I inherited them. The 2 Ithaca 10's are both 3 1/2. One is a NID and the other is a conversion (I know it may not be safe) but my GF shot a lot of geese with these back in Arkansas where he grew up. My dad shot the NID about 30 years ago on a turkey hunt. They both need wheels:) NID