Who is H.D. Freeman

[Drew Hause]

John: The first “E.C.” Inanimate Target Championship Cup held in 1896 consisted of 100 targets, unknown angles, from known traps; 100 targets, unknown traps and known angles (commonly called expert rules - At expert rules, one man up in the centre of five traps, pulled unknown, according to an indicator) and 50 pair doubles (100 targets).

[Drew Hause]

W.R. Crosby was a representative for Baker Gun & Forging from at least 1897 until 1899, twice winning the “E.C.” Target Championship of America, first with a Baker B grade, then with a Paragon. He went to a L.C. Smith in 1900, which he used during the 1901 Anglo-American Match. In 1903, Crosby held the "E. C." Cup (targets), Dupont Cup (live birds), and Hazard Cup (live birds). In 1904 he held the "E. C." cup, Schmelzer cup (reverse angle targets), DuPont cup, and Hazard cups.
The live bird trophies were the Cast Iron Medal, the Du Pont Cup and the Hazard Cup; all shot for 100 live birds, 30 yards rise.
After 1906 Crosby shot a 32" Parker, and later an Ithaca 5E SBT.

Illinois State Sportsmen's Association Tournament, at the Chicago Gun Club, from the May 25, 1907 "The American Field" courtesy of David Noreen

[Double Lab]

Thanks Drew. Crosby ordered the gun through Dubray in 1904 and his measurements fit me like a glove. I wonder what he ordered the 30", 20ga., no safety with F/F chokes for as it retains much of it's original finish and has not been shot much.

[Drew Hause]

Daryl: Mrs. Crosby did some trap shooting.

The first Ladies National Championship was at the 1916 GAH in St. Louis, won by Mrs. D.J. Dalton; Miss Harriett Hammond 2nd
http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrar.../SL6802024.pdf
Day 2 Ladies Special Event
http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrar.../SL6801027.pdf
http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrar.../SL6805021.pdf
Mrs L.G. Vogel
Mrs H. Almert
Miss Harriett D. Hammond
Miss L. Meusel
Mrs D.J. Dalton
Mrs. F.A. Johnson
Mrs C. Edmiston
Mrs H.L. Patter
Mrs J.L. Hooper
Mrs W.R. Crosby

W.R. was a big guy though and it sounds like the dimensions were for him; what is the LOP and DAC?

[Mary Lynn Darcy]

Hello Randy,
I was searching the internet for Homer D. Freeman and found your post.

Homer Freeman was my Great Grandfather. He was an excellent shot, who passed his tradition down through the family. He taught my father how to shoot, who taught his grandchildren - my children. They all shoot trap, skeet, sporting clays, etc. I happen to have 2 of Homer's trophies. My brother has another.

I'd love to know more about the gun and would be interested in purchasing it if you care to sell. We don't have any of his guns. My boys would love this!
Hope to hear from you,

Mary Lynn

[Randy Roberts]

Hi Mary Lynn:

Thanks for the response. I am excited to hear this news. For us lovers of these older guns their history including the owners is always intruiging. I am going to send you a PM with my contact information and we can go from there. Thanks Again !!!

[Mike McKinney]

Wow! What a great story in the making. Even if the finality happens differently, we seldom hear of family members caring much less inquiring.

[Bill Murphy]

Randy, did you and Ms. Darcy make contact and maybe a deal? Family guns are very interesting. I have my grandfather's Lefever E grade pigeon gun, made in 1887, 134 years old by my calculations. He was 31 years old in 1887, probably ordered the gun himself. It has special order features that would indicate a special order gun. Another hijack, sorry about that.

[Randy Roberts]

Bill I did reach out to her but did not get a response.

[john pulis]

Sounds like an future article for the PP