Future of Parker Collection and Double Gun Collecting

[Quigley97]

In addition to Mr. Goddard's original post. When I was in my early twenties I started trap shooting. You could of put a $1,000 in my hand and asked me to break a target with a sxs and I would have said "keep your money". Now in my early 60's I started sporting clays. I also work all the events at Backwoods Quail Club in SC. Three years ago I worked my first Fall Southern SXS Classic. I, as you might say, "was infected with the Parker disease". I couldn't search enough info about Parkers and couldn't read enough about Parkers. As said before, the appreciation comes with a little age. I do believe the tradition will carry on.

[Bill Murphy]

Craig Larter and a couple of others have mentioned that the first step is to introduce young people to shooting and hunting and then explain to them that there is a "tradition" involved in blood sports. The explanation of the "tradition" is what is the difficult part. Putting side by side shotguns in their hands is the easy part. Sponsoring "side by side" events in sporting clays shoots is another possibility. All of these Ducks Unlimited, Quail Unlimited, and Grouse Unlimited events in our area around Washington, DC have side by side events as sub-events, even if they have to be sponsored by double gun people. Side by side events cause people who want to win "Something" to enter those events. Thanks for posting your suggestions.

[Frank Allegra]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Side by side events cause people who want to win "Something" to enter those events.

While I agree with this statement I must add that we need to be cautious.

Our local group was started as a group of men & women dedicated to the collection, preservation, heritage, and enjoyment of the side by side shotgun and rifle. Recently it seems that the leaders of this group have become more interested in competition. The old classics are disappearing from the events and are being replaced with more modern or customized guns. Needless to say there has been a decline in the older members that came to the events to talk sxs, check out the displays and enjoy a lunch with their friends.

[J.B. Books]

So what happens to the market for these guns and younger folks being interested in shooting and collecting them when the use of lead shot is banned?