Fishing and Shooting Sketches

[Milton C Starr]

Originally Posted by Gary Carmichael Sr

Mr. Grover Cleveland, indeed was a hunter, he was the recipient of the 8 ga Colt made for him and I believe the only 8 ga made by Colt, He named the gun " Death and Destruction" I have a 20 ga hammer gun that the late Austin Hogan belived had a connection to mr Cleveland, it is also the very first 20 ga hammer gun made, a 250 or 300.00 dollar grade, but never could substantiate it . An article will be in the Double gun Journal sometimes in 2022, Gary

I get the feeling Cleveland could talk about every specific detail of all his guns and loads but didnt want to get side tracked off the focus of his book. He does mention how he enjoys sitting around at camp talking all day about shotgun loads and reloading methods. He would have loved the reloading forum we have here. Who knows that 20 ga hammer gun could have been one of his shore bird guns does seem like he preferred a hammerless, however I think Cleveland would enjoy any fine American double.

Theres a picture of him holding a shotgun I read was indeed the Colt but wasnt sure. The Colt looks slim for a 8 gauge, man I wish we had some notes from the Colt guys on how they went about building it. I guess im kind of a nerd when it comes to big doubles I could spend all day measuring every part of them with a caliper. At one time I was keeping notes on the breech measurements I could find of 10 and 8 ga guns from the period.

[Dollar]

Shooting robins here in Florida is an old tradition.Up until recently I used hear of one or more of the locals in central Florida getting caught with a sack full of robins in January yearly.

[charlie cleveland]

that big 8 ga lefever has to be top gun in my opinion.. but it does seem like a light weight compared to other 8 ga s...except for bll murphys 8 lb 8 ga... charlie

[Bill Murphy]

I took advantage of Victor W's link to the complete text of Grover Cleveland's book. It is well illustrated and the best part, it is free.

[Buddy Harrison]

As an unrepentant robin slayer, I can vividly recall occasions in my youth in the mid-1950's when my father and I would shoulder our Winchester Model 67 single shot .22's and head for the nearby woods where several large holly trees were loaded with succulent red berries that the migrant robins loved dearly. This was in the late fall when the transient "yankee" birds had arrived. We each carried a box of .22 shorts to keep the noise down to keep from spooking the birds and to avoid discovery from the local game warden. After making a makeshift blind we would begin collecting what was necessary to make a good meal for my family of five (usually 25-30) birds. Dad and I would clean the birds and Mom would cook, usually fry, the robin breasts. As best I recall they had a taste similar to doves. On other occasions we would ambush enough for supper from a chinaberry tree in my grandmother's yard. By that time of year the chinaberries had mostly dried, soured and shriveled which for some reason the robins couldn't resist. Once my father swallowed a robin bone and it scratched his throat. He was convinced it was lodged in his throat so off to the local doctor we went. When my Dad related what his problem was to the doctor, with a chuckle he said, "Now I've heard it all."