First Dance with the Old Lady
 

I finally got a chance to get out the new to me 1926 Trojan 12 gauge 30" IM/F.

She fits pretty well but it took a little time to get our rhythm down.

Those high incomers were giving us fits.

Limited with right at two boxes of RST 2 1/2" 1 oz 7.5. In the heavier Frame 2 gun, the RSTs were softer shooting than my Beretta gas auto 12.

Attachment 56756

It always seems as if you just can't lead the fast incomers too much.

I was having trouble because the tall birds were "blotted out" by the barrels which I think made me stop my swing. Not being able to see the bird makes it difficult.

I was trying to cheat by turning my head and gun a bit, which of course always results in a miss.

Only solution is more practice...

What's with the wood on that Trojan? I looks like a block of English Walnut. I would like to see it with the finish stripped and a coat of oil rubbed in.

Trojans of Meriden manufacture had straight grain American Black Walnut. Some looked better than others.





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I don't know too much about the stock other than it appears to be pretty much standard and uncut (14" LOP according to Kirk Merrington).

I bought this Trojan off of Gun Broker last month from a guy who was doing consignments from an estate in up state New York. I will definitely consider having the stock cleaned up. She definitely has a few battle scars on the wood.

Kirk thinks that the barrels may have been reblued. I ordered a letter but it didn't provide a whole lot of info.

Bill, I think what we are seeing are the growth rings of a quarter cut american walnut blank.

Oh, darn.

Scott:

My father's 1929-issue Trojan shares many features with your gun: 12 gauge; #2-frame; 30 inch barrels; IM/F. However, the stock and fore-end were pronounced by one dealer in vintage firearms be an early replacement.

I need to have some good photos taken of the gun, post some pictures, and ask if the wood is likely a replacement; and if so, could the job possibly have been done in the factory.

It is more interesting wood than is on his 16 or 12 gauge VH guns -- maybe I'm just seeing those beguiling growth rings.

Of his four Parkers, which included a 12 gauge 1 1/2-frame DHE, his preferred gun to hunt and shoot targets with was the Trojan that is so much like yours.