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3 members (SKB, 2 invisible),
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robots. |
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Forums10
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Most Online1,344 Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743 |
Back in the 1960s, I shot a 20 gauge Flues for 3-4 seasons doing upland hunting. Gun had some issues, barrels had been cut, likely from 28 to 26". Chokes were marked as 2/4 but the remaining amount was more like I/C & choke which was great for my purpose. A "Whiteline" recoil pad had been installed & chambers were lengthened to 2 3/4". Weight was 6lbs even.
At that point in my life, I had not heard of the frame problem with the Fluese & it has steel smokeless powder proofed barrels so I shot it regularly. My standard load was the 2 DE-1 Oz load. I never shot anything heavier & only precious few of the 2 DE 7/8 Oz loads. I shot it until the ribs popped loose & retired it. In hindsight, I highly suspect they had been "Hot Salt" blued. I did know better than that then but assumed anyone who had re-blued it would likewise, guess I was wrong.
I actually shot it quite well & can recall a few doubles on the covey rise while "Bird" hunting. My Dad & I was doing quite a bit of Beagle Hound running then & it was Bad Medicine on those Be-Bopping cottontails as well.
It never developed a frame problem although I realize now it was actually designed & built for the 2 DE - 7/8 OZ load
Miller/TN I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 604 Likes: 34
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 604 Likes: 34 |
I started collecting American klunkers because my dad shot trap and hunted with a Nitro Special with a homemade beavertail forearm. Then I got a Steven's 311 .410 (tenite)for Christmas in 1948 and was hooked. Now I have a closet full of these 'working mans' doubles' that mostly gather dust.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114 |
Nice thing about all this documentation of "Hardware store" shotguns- a big ol' rooster cacklin' as his wings beat, coming out of the cut cornfield- doesn't matter if he drops dead from a H&H or an H&R- it's all good. My pick, as also Steve Bodio's, is for the "Working Man's double- the Ithaca NID. My friend, the late Brad B. also endorsed it-- RWTF.
"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,990 Likes: 895
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,990 Likes: 895 |
Steve changes guns like I change socks, but, he always has a Darne.
Best, Ted
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,119 Likes: 524
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,119 Likes: 524 |
While not common here, the working man's shotgun in France was the Robust. Close to a million sold by Manufrance during its day. Gil
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 604 Likes: 34
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 604 Likes: 34 |
Have a Tobin. Weren't they sort of a working man's double in Canada? Also a Henry hammer 12. I think they retailed for less than $4 in the old days.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,464 Likes: 133
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,464 Likes: 133 |
Nice thing about all this documentation of "Hardware store" shotguns- a big ol' rooster cacklin' as his wings beat, coming out of the cut cornfield- doesn't matter if he drops dead from a H&H or an H&R- it's all good. My pick, as also Steve Bodio's, is for the "Working Man's double- the Ithaca NID. My friend, the late Brad B. also endorsed it-- RWTF. I don't think the Ithaca NID is in the same class as the Lefever Nitro, Western Longrange, Hunter Fulton, Winchester 24 etc. (That's why Ithaca brought out the Nitro and the Western Longrange as lower priced "working man's" options.) The NID was the best double Ithaca made. True, a Field Grade didn't have much "bling" to it. But the only thing separating an NID Field Grade from, say, a Grade 4, was the "bling": Much nicer wood, a lot of engraving, etc.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 517 Likes: 13
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 517 Likes: 13 |
I would like to make mention of the guns produced by Hopkins & Allen. H&A made a few high grade SxS's, but most fit this "Working Man's" or "Farmer Grade" category.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114 |
OK- agree- local dealer has in his used gun racks, 2 LeFever Nitro Specials- a 16 and a 12-- I usually check them out when I am there having coffee- the 12 has been on the rack for a year, the 16 maybe 6 months- used but good condition, fairly priced, but our area is not a strong marked for older American side-by-sides-- Your accurate observation about the field grade NID and a higher grade being wood, finish and engraving could also be applied to a VH (E) Parker vs. a DH(E) Parker--
I like the trigger pulls on my 12 NID- crisp, and the gun"shoots right where I am looking" every time, ejectors in time, and it was built in 1926=27 era. Don't much care about the cocking indicators, but for the $500 I paid for this 12 Grade 2E--I've gotten over that years ago. If I had to take a "rough country" hunt or tower shoot event in harsh weather, the L.C. Smiths would stay home in the steel vault, and I'd take the Ithaca, every time-hand running.. RWTF
"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,464 Likes: 133
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,464 Likes: 133 |
RWTF, the final modifications of the NID got rid of those "snails ears" cocking indicators. That was the version Steve Lamboy used when he brought the NID back with his Ithaca Classic Doubles.
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