Some American Classics

[TrapperReady]

I finally got out the digital camera and took some shots. As usual, most were fuzzy, but this one was pretty sharp.

From top to bottom:

1922 Winchester Model 12, 12ga full-choke 28" barrel
1930 Browning Auto-5, 16ga full-choke 28" barrel
19?? Remington 870, 20ga full-choke 28" barrel

Do you notice a pattern here? I bet that these have amassed a pretty fair number of birds over the years, and they still function beautifully.

When I've got more time, I plan to take some pics of the A-5, since the wood on the stock is actually very nice.

Also, if any of you care to nominate some other classic field guns, I'd be happy to entertain the thought of adding to the collection. At some point, I would like to add a Model 21, but aside from that, I don't want to descend into the monetary hell of collecting old SxS shotguns.

 

[sm]

The man has taste is all I can say. Great pics!

Winchester 101 sir
Model 21 , 23 [ hey you might hit the lottery]
Citori
Gotta have a model 42 to compliment the model 12...right?
Ithica model 37, gotta have corn cob forend , it's... it's just the proper forend.
1300 wood and blue and yep corn cob again.

 

[Coltdriver]

What beautiful shot guns!

You can go to the Remington web page, find the ask us a question page and send them your receiver serial number. They will reply with the manufacture date and tell you what barrel it came with.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Nice pic of nice shotguns. 3 Forever Shotguns...

Two great pumps, one auto, how about a Superposed?

 

[TrapperReady]

re1973 - I appreciate the suggestions. I've thought about the Model 42, but so far, haven't been able to wrap my head around spending that much on a .410.

Coltdriver - Thanks for the tip. I'll send off an e-mail to Remington this weekend.

Dave - A Superposed would be nice, and there are certainly a wide variety of types and grades available. On the other hand, it does start to lead down the slippery slope of collecting twin-tubed money leeches.

For the most part, I try to collect pieces that I will shoot, and that don't overlap too badly. That's the main reason why I've gone with a variety of gauges. Unfortunately, I'm at the point where the pieces I'm interested in start to go up considerably in price. Adding an 870 or an A-5 isn't much of a problem. Adding a Model 42 (or 21) is something else entirely.

 

[huntsman]

great guns, in good condition too.
maybe add an ithica 37 or win md 42

 

[PJR]

What is the definition of an American classic? The A5 while designed by an American was made overseas. Some of the other guns mentioned (Citori, Winchester 101 and 23) were/are made in Japan. Does a Miroku (the company that makes the Citori) or a Nikko (made in the same place as the 101/23) also qualify as an American classic even though the rollmarks are different?

Does a gun have to be made in America or sold by an American company to be an American classic?

Regardless, the trio up top are all classics in one way or another if only because they were used by generations of sportsmen in America and around the world and are still being used to this day.

And Trapper, a descent into twin-tubed madness is something every shotgunner should do at least once in his life.

Paul

 

[Dave McCracken]

Good point. One can assemble a nice battery of 870s for about what a 1965 Superposed will run.

How about a dedicated slug gun that doubles for HD? Something like an Ithaca 37 DS, or another 870 with a slug barrel.

 

[TrapperReady]

PJR - The definition I use is "What would have been in common use by either my dad and his buddies?" (Dad would have been 80 this year). In other words, firearms which were well-built and widely used by hunters in the middle-portion of the 20th century.

As far as SxSs go, I'm still in the information gathering process. I've been reading the Double Gun and such for a couple years, and narrowing down what my interests are -- and what they are not. So far, with the exception of the Model 21, I appreciate looking at them, but have no real desire to own any.

Once in a while (usuallywhen I'm in the midst of trap season), I start thinking that a custom-fitted Kolar or Krieghoff would be just the ticket. Then I realize that I really do shoot very well with any number of shotguns I already own. The madness always seems to pass. Who knows, if the madness strikes near a major event (25th wedding anniversary, 50th birthday, monday), I may succumb. For now, I'll leave the money in the kids' college accounts.