Mortimore & Son 10 Bore

[Kevin McCormack]

From Peter Croft's response: "I often speculated on why the gun had been ordered with that specification. Across the Firth of Forth there are large numbers of greylag and pink foot geese in Fife and there also numbers to be found east of Edinburgh. Both these areas have rich arable farming and the geese flight into the fields to feed. It's my belief that the gun was ordered with 28" barrels to make it handier to use when hiding in a ditch or hedge alongside the fields."

On both trips to Scotland for driven birds in December 2004 and 2006, we stayed in this exact area, just south of St. Andrews. Although we did not hunt geese, his detailed comments on the habits and local hunting methods (e.g., "ditch gunning") for Greylag and pink-footed geese are precisely descriptive of the style and type of pursuing them. They were very abundant and the locals very adept at taking their limits, particularly at night. which is (or was) legal there at that time. Their calls are very distinctive and reminded me of a comined "yodel" of our Snow geese mixed with the gutteral trill of Atlantic brant.

[6pt-Sika]

That gun would have tested my will power as I’m trying not to buy anything I’ve got one 10 with long chambers but it’s a hammer gun also fluid steel barrels , but this would be a nice edition even if it isn’t my preferred maker .

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by CraigThompson

That gun would have tested my will power as I’m trying not to buy anything I’ve got one 10 with long chambers but it’s a hammer gun also fluid steel barrels , but this would be a nice edition even if it isn’t my preferred maker .

My will power in that regard dissipated rather rapidly after receiving Mr. Croft's reply about this gun.

[Researcher]

For many years the 10-gauge 3 1/2-inch Magnum shells, back when they only carried 2-ounces of shot, carried the admonition "USE ONLY IN GUNS WEIGHING 10 1/2 POUNDS OR MORE."

Super-X 10-gauge shells 02.JPG

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

For many years the 10-gauge 3 1/2-inch Magnum shells, back when they only carried 2-ounces of shot, carried the admonition "USE ONLY IN GUNS WEIGHING 10 1/2 POUNDS OR MORE."

Attachment 122480

Well then my Parker Grade 2 top lever 10 gauge with the extra Belgian made fluid steel barrels is perfect as it has 3 1/2” chambers and the gun weighs almost exactly 10 1/2 pounds .

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

For many years the 10-gauge 3 1/2-inch Magnum shells, back when they only carried 2-ounces of shot, carried the admonition "USE ONLY IN GUNS WEIGHING 10 1/2 POUNDS OR MORE."

Seems like sage advice to me. I have no intention of beating the gun or my shoulder up with such heavy loads.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Pete Lester

Seems like sage advice to me. I have no intention of beating the gun or my shoulder up with such heavy loads.

FWIW last week I tried some factory loaded buckshot and slugs in my grade 2 hammer with the Begian barrels on and it would open your eyes to say the least

[ArtS]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

For many years the 10-gauge 3 1/2-inch Magnum shells, back when they only carried 2-ounces of shot, carried the admonition "USE ONLY IN GUNS WEIGHING 10 1/2 POUNDS OR MORE."

Attachment 122480

I have a Best Grade 8 gauge single by W&C Scott that is chambered for 3-1/2 inch shells and weighs 9-3/4 pounds. It is, I believe, a "Light Waterfowl" model. I have seen only one reference to that term.

Maybe hunters were just tougher in those days.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Arthur Shaffer

I have a Best Grade 8 gauge single by W&C Scott that is chambered for 3-1/2 inch shells and weighs 9-3/4 pounds. It is, I believe, a "Light Waterfowl" model. I have seen only one reference to that term.

Maybe hunters were just tougher in those days.

Of the four Parker 8’s I’ve had in my possession the lightest was about 14 pounds and the heaviest was exactly 16 pounds . So yeah I’d say it’s a “light” gun , I’ve got 10’s that are heavier .

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Arthur Shaffer

I have a Best Grade 8 gauge single by W&C Scott that is chambered for 3-1/2 inch shells and weighs 9-3/4 pounds. It is, I believe, a "Light Waterfowl" model. I have seen only one reference to that term.

Maybe hunters were just tougher in those days.

I was tougher in that regard 30+ years ago when I regularly hunted waterfowl with a 9.5 pound Browning BPS 10 gauge magnum. That much recoil and those days are behind me.