It is with profound sorrow that have just been informed of the death of my friend, Cyril Adams.
Cyril passed peacefully in his sleep at home earlier this afternoon.
I'll raise a glass of malt to a shooting man,competitor, and Sportsman of the old school. He for the most part lived the life he wanted, and one that would have been the envy of many a gunner.
I'll pull out "Lock, Stock and Barrel" tonight for my nightly read. RIP Mr. Adams.
I just got the news from Sam Shiller. It was a profound pleasure to be able to correspond with him, even if very briefly last month on Reilly guns. What a gentleman.
We are all diminished by his passing.
I first met Cyril 20 years ago while I lived in Houston. He was the ultimate "Gentleman and Scholar". From time to time someone will remark that so and so forgot more than I will ever know about guns. That remark is not really appropriate in Cyril's case in that he knew more about English guns than anyone and he never forgot anything that he learned about them.
I recall my wife saying that Cyril was the most interesting man she ever met.
We will miss you Cyril.
Stephen Howell
I was saddened to hear of his passing. I phone bid for him at Poulin’s a couple of times and called him with info he requested about items at auction. He was a true gentleman whose loss will be felt for some time to come.
Farewell my friend .
Sadly I now go to more funerals than celebrations.
His writing about shooting game guns is some of the best ever.
Anyone who has any interest in the history of competition pigeon shooting should buy his book on it that was published maybe three-four years ago. The chapter on ammo allowed and used is worth the price of the whole book. He signed mine, and we spoke several times about pigeon guns.
Brister, and now Adams. Texas, and the world, has lost a wealth of shotgunning wisdom in these two men. Thank you, Paul, for making us aware.
RIP, Cyril
What a loss. At one time I shot zz birds with a group at West Side near Katy. Cyril was the spark plug of the group. He was a great mentor and coach. He had been there and done ALL of it.
May God smile on you.
Gutted about this, and sad. A massive influence in double shotgunning. A major influence in the popularization of British guns in the 80s and 90s, particularly those with Damascus barrels and hammerguns, apart from his achievements in the pigeon ring. The guns he made with Ron Solari when Adams owned AG&L were among the finest made in Britain at the time. An innovator and traditionalist all in one. And I second Stan's recommendations on the book "Live Pigeon Trap Shooting: Its History, Appurtenances, Descendants, and How to Do it." I could go on but his legacy speaks for itself.
He will be missed. Sorry for his family. RIP
Thanks for posting, Mel. His legacy will live on and your words describe him w/great accuracy. Glad that he was able to pass as many of us would wish to; peacefully and in his sleep.
I was fortunate to know him over a span of more than fifty years, shoot some birds going pretty far back & helice w/him now & again and sometimes have lunch w/him years ago when he would come up for a shoot or double gun related doings. Always the gentleman and always willing to share insights gained thru much personal experience and never the least forceful about any of it. He had a kind demeanor from the first time we were introduced in the 60's and it never changed. Was able to have some fun conversation w/him last time he came up to shoot a USHA match. Whot, a year ago(?), perhaps a bit more. That was the last time I saw him.
God speed, Cyril; it was a true pleasure knowing you.
I first met Cyril at the Old Dallas Gun Club, on Royal Lane,at my second flyer shoot in February 1976... He was interesting, shot a SxS ( which was not all that unusual back then ,especially at that club as approximately 20% + or - of the field shot one) But, I was taken back by a round button he wore , of the kind used in political campaigns, it Said in bold print "God Shoots A Purdey"
So did some others.. and very well I might add.
--
A few years back Cyril was shooting a 34" Parker and I was shooting a Syracuse on a friendly helice match, both w/'self opening' issues from too much wear. I know we both got them repaired by different gunsmiths. He'd mentioned at the time that he had that Parker repaired for that same issue more than once, but if you shot them enough that you expected it to happen. I don't recall the grade or even if it had one or two triggers even tho he offered it to me to shoot, just that the pull was way longer than whot I would have been comfortable shooting. His sleeve length was probably several inches longer than mine. I declined the generous offer.
I corresponded with Cyril several times about various subjects, all involving pigeons, tried to catch his 34" A.G. & L. hammer gun before it got promised to a friend. I was disappointed that the A.G. & L. project didn't go farther to promote hammer guns. Rest in peace, Sir.
Knowing that Cyril's guns were being offered into the market gave me a hint that his condition was probably worsening.....
Over a week I made 3 calls, all unanswered, he was in treatment or resting I assume. Last Sunday afternoon, the 27th, I had an unexplained sense that I really needed to speak with him.
I was at the ranch with my gear loaded for a dove shoot with my stepson, and it was an hour too early to get into the field. I grabbed my phone and gave his cell number a ring. To my delight he picked up on the third ring and in a weak voice greeted me warmly. He said he had indeed seen my calls, and many others, but had been feeling too poorly to converse. He said he was having a "better" day that afternoon. I was going to just wish him well and let him get off and rest, but to my delight he dove into a great conversation. Questions about my dove season, had I seen so and so? did he have any birds etc. The talk went into old times, shoots, hunts together, long passed mutual shooting friends, what gun was I shooting? and oh, did I mind if he gave a friend my cell number. Said he thought I knew more about Italian Best Guns than He did ??? So he hoped I could answer some questions for his customer who was contemplating a purchase in Italy.....
It was a great chat and I begged off with telling him that the doves were starting to fly, he told me to shoot some "High ones for Him"...... I had an odd feeling , almost certainty, that it was going to be the last time I would speak with him....
Thanks for sharing that Mel. A warm tribute and a great last call.
When I was chasing spectres a few years back, in this particular case a true English hammer 12 ga. pigeon gun, I talked with Cyril at length about it. He offered me an English gun of his that he had gotten sleeved from 10 to 12. It was a gorgeous thing, but not exactly what I wanted, and I passed.
His book was purchased directly from him, by me. Not sure if a means is in place to buy it now, but maybe in the future it will become available again. I wouldn't take a purty for mine.
SRH
Does anyone know if there will be a memorial service, BBQ, or such for him?
David, that article by Vic Ventors was beautiful - I had never read it. An amazing man.