It is a persisting topic of debate and probably tiresome for many. But as these historically representative guns continue to undergo elective alterations, to improve them for our use, and not for repair, restoration or refurbishment, I believe it is worth continued discussion.
My father’s 16-gauge VH, choked full and full, and being fairly high-condition, I decided was not right for the brush and under-foot hazard-riddled terrain of the Northern Grouse woods. So, I bought a thoroughly restored VH 16, factory-choked cylinder and modified; and it has proven to be the right gun for that rough country.
The other 16 I will occasionally use on the range or in a cornfield for Pheasants, as did my father, and I will continue to dream about using it on a plantation (with spreader loads) or a prairie for birds I have only read about or seen illustrated in books.
With all due respect to those with far more experience and knowledge than I about these guns and their history, for me there is no threshold at which point any of these guns cease having collector value, “shooters” included.
__________________
"First off I scoured the Internet and this seems to be the place to be!” — Chad Whittenburg, 5-12-19
|