doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com red headed step children

I know we are all fans of the really nice and iconic guns out there. I myself am quite partial to Parkers, L.C. Smiths, Hollands, Purdeys and the like, but what guns do you hold a fondness for that didnt exactly set the gun world on fire? Im talking about guns that hardly anyone would brag about owning.

I'll give an example of one of my favorites, the Winchester Model 1911. It is actually a good gun. I feel that it is as well made from a fit and finish standpoint as any gun Winchester made. It is a marvel of engineering when one thinks that T.C. Johnson helped John Browning patent the Auto-5 making it just about infringement proof and then had to go about designing a gun that had to go around all those patents. While it deserved all the bad press it got (mainly due to operator error). I still find it to be a neat gun--in a Rube Goldberg sort of way. I'd love to find a black diamond version of it.

O.K. I admit my weakness. anyone else got a favorite less than popular gun?

PS. Can you imagine where Winchester would be if T.G. Bennett had just paid Browning what he wanted???

I am fond of both the Husqvarna underlever and,particularly, top lever guns, especially those with Damascus barrels.
For some reason these guns are cheap as chips comparatively ,yet every time I pick mine up I cannot really see why.

GDU

I picked up a a pair of Czech BRNO sidelocks at a local gunshow a couple of years ago for Stevens mod. 311 prices. They are both complete with strap swivels and the obligatory European cheekpieces. The 16ga extractor gun is one of the best balanced, fastest handling guns I have, and the 12ga ejector gun is my favorite duck/turkey gun...Geo

Got to agree with GDU. Those Husky underlevers are the ultimate in funky shotgunning!

Remington model 1894 - I've an AE grade 12ga., and most rustic looking too!
Far from the chic set's circle of influence are the lower grades - a beautiful tool.
...and it goes well with my barncoat.

How about the Stevens 311? Started me off on the Double gun path back when I was 12. Ugly as a mud fence but tough as nails.

Can't pass over my Mother's 10th birthday present, a new-in-the-box Marlin Model 90 20 gauge with dt's. I still shoot it a couple times a year.

Tobin. My 16 was restocked to fit me, and as our own Researcher has posted, the mechanism, with rollers on the hammers and spring ends, using the springs themselves as cocking rods, is a simplification of a Beesley patent-lofty company, indeed.

They litter the dark corners of better gun shows and old shops, the wreakage of a failed attempt at double gunmaking in the growing storm of the repeater.

I've never had anyone correctly identify my copy at the range. Most assume it is an LC Smith, a design that is so very much inferior.

Prices make me believe I am completely alone in that opinion, however-good for me.
Best,
Ted

My lowly Iver Johnson Hercules. I love my Fox and my Spanish guns, but it surprising how often I find myself carrying this sweet little 16. And, with her, who cares about the weather!
Rick

Use to be the Sterlingworths, but how times have changed.
They have quite a following, and today they've reached cult status in a down-home-kinda-way.
Good examples cost more than like wise condition other brand graded Americans.
They're not your turnip guns anymore!

In the better quality domestic side x sides, I have a soft spot for them all; but perhaps the make that intrigues most of all is (guess what?) the Syracuse gun, especially the odd and higher grade examples. As FYI, I have just received what is most likely Frank Hollenbeck's prototype gun for study and a possible DGJ article. It is a higher-grade exmaple with no serial number, grade stamp, or patent dates; and the most unique example I have yet seen. I hope Dan will allow me to share the gun in his magazine, as I believe anyone into old doubles will find this example as interesting as I do.

The short-lived Sears made A.J Aubrey/Meriden- a surprisingly high quality workhorse SxS that sold for around $13 new (when an L.C. Smith sold for $25 then).

I have a damascus hammer gun I just love, although it is a bit heavy (+8 lb) and tightly choked, it is perfect for trap and with more use my scores are improving. Even with the low pressure 7/8 oz loads, last weekend I managed to shoot a 21 (and should have done better missing two easy shots at the center station), which is pretty good for me. It gets more looks and favorable comments from fellow shooters than the high dollar guns.

Doug

Manufrance Ideal.............like Russ R. said "if you don't know read up on it"

enuf said!

The knurled barrel of the Winny 11 tells a story don't it; one that Winchester understood all too well in hindsight. My little Charlin field grade says a lot to me about what's possible in the approach to balance, handling, stock fit. I must have been issued a French body? Not so much an awkward stepchild; more of a long-lost cousin.

jack

Anyone else have a Rhinhard Torkalson, they have one of the few practical single selective triggers of their day..MDC

I'll fess up to owning two "Non-Beauties."

My Dad gave me a brand new a Mossberg 16 gauge bolt-action for my 13th birthday, which I still own and use. It has Mossberg's version of a poly-choke. With it, I've taken geese, ducks, rabbitts, squirrels, dove, quail, and pheasant. Every time i use it, I think of Dad, who has been gone for many years. I make it a point to hunt with it at least once every season.

A more recently acquired ugly duckling is a 20 gauge Remington 11-48 with very worn original finish, and it is probably 50 years old. Stll shoots well, and I sometime break 22 or 23 with it on the skeet range, to the chagrin of the O/U shooters.

Every once in a while, its fun to take these less than pristine charmers out to shoot some clays -- or better yet, take them hunting.

JERRY

I hear more than a few guys have a soft spot for those Win. M21's, homely looking things though they be.