Gaucho - For Americans, American Guns

[Drew Hause]

http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1898/VOL_30_NO_26/SL3026021.pdf

[Drew Hause]

Capt. DuBray was continuing the message which started with Will Park, Editor of Sporting Life in 1895

Feb. 16, 1895 Sporting Life (Spelling is as written)
During the past three years on visits to such sporting clubs as Larchmont, Carteret, Tuxedo and Riverton, we have noted the peculiar fact that out of 20 or 30 guns on the grounds at one time there will possibly be one gun of American manufacture. All the others are “Crown Grade Grenier's,” “Premier Quality Scott's,” “Purdy's” and other foreign makes.
The remarkable state of affairs, which is not creditable to American manufacturers, would indicate that there is something lacking on their part. We know that men with “hobbies” are willing to spend much money to gratify their “hobby;” but we are not willing to concede, if only from a patriotic sense, that American manufacturers are unable to satisfy their countrymen's “hobby” in guns.

April 6, 1895 Sporting Life
“Some Facts About the Retail Gun Trade - The Mania For Foreign-Made Guns”
Parker Bros., of Meriden, Conn., are producing a Special high grade pigeon gun which is certainly equal to an imported gun in every way, and best of all, the shooting quality is not lacking.
The Hunter Arms Co., of Fulton, N. Y., also make a special gun which is finely finished, perfectly balanced and contains the best workmanship.
The Lefever Arms Co., of Syracuse are also catering to this better class of trade, and have already filled many orders for guns costing $300 to $400 which were equal in material, finish design of engraving and general workmanship to any foreign gun costing much more money.

And the marketing campaign apparently worked :)

1895 (3rd) Grand American Handicap at Live Birds
http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1895/VOL_25_NO_04/SL2504015.pdf
Won by J.G. Messner using a Parker; the first GAH win with an American maker's gun.
Guns: Greener – 17; Capt. “Jack” Brewer, Capt. A.W. Money, E.D. Fulford, J.A.R. Elliott
Smith – 11; Apgar & Lindsley
Parker – 6; O.R. Dickey, Noel Money, A.W. DuBray
Winchester Repeater – 2; Rolla Heikes
Francotte – 7, Scott – 3, Lefever – 2, Purdey - 2
Capt. DuBray on Messner’s victory
https://books.google.com/books?id=GEYQAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA31&lpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/19974446/397271601.jpg

At the DuPont Tournament, May 7-9 the majority of competitors used U.S. maker's guns
http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1895/VOL_25_NO_08/SL2508027.pdf
High Average – Rolla Heikes, High Money Winner – Richard Merrill
Guns: Smith – 23, Parker – 16, Greener – 8, Winchester – 7, Lefever – 10, Scott – 2, Baker and Remington Hammerless – 1 each.

[Drew Hause]

First DuPont Grand Smokeless Championship Handicap Live-bird Tournament October 1895
Fred Gilbert (L.C. Smith) and Charles “Hayward” Macalester (Purdey) tied at 25; Gilbert won the shoot-off 5/5 to 4/5.
Charles Wagner (Parker), E.B. Coe (Smith), Capt. John L. Brewer (Greener), and A.H. King (Scott Monte Carlo) tied at 24; Wagner won the shoot-off taking 3rd place.
Guns
http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1895/VOL_26_NO_06/SL2606012.pdf
Smith – 13, Parker – 8, Greener – 11, Lefever – 6, Francotte – 4, Scott & Remington – 3 each, Francotte – 2, Colt, Grant, Boss & Purdey – 1 each
“Gilbert used a Smith gun, 8 pounds, and his load consisted of a scant 3 1/4 drams Du Pont, by measure, which weighed 42 grains. It was wadded with a Winchester field wad, a 3/8-inch pink felt and an ordinary pink edge, all 12-gauge and 1 1/8 ounces of No. 7 chilled shot.”

Nov. 8 Sporting Life
Harvey McMurchy was undoubtedly pleased when he learned that Gilbert won the Du Pont trophy, using a Smith gun. It is also gratifying to us to know that the big prize was won by a gentleman sportsman using an American made gun, which was loaded with American made smokeless powder, shot and wadding, in American made shells.

1896 GAH March
O. R. Dickey, of Boston. Mass., winner used a very handsome Parker Bros, hammerless gun, of the pigeon model, and his load consisted of 50 grains, or about 3 1/2 drams by measure, of American “E.C.” powder, 1 trap wad, one 3/8 inch pink felt, one 1/4-inch pink edge, and 1 1/8 ounce of No. 7 chilled shot in the United States Cartridge Co.'s “Rapid” shells, 2 3/4 inches in length.
Sim Glover, of Rochester, winner of second place stood on the 30 yds. mark in the handicap, using a Parker hammerless gun, loaded with 50 grains of Schultze powder and 1 1/4 ounces of No. 7 shot in Trap shell.
(That would be 1 1/4 oz 3 1/2 Dr. Eq. - a boomer load with a pressure of about 11,750 psi with Bulk Smokeless powder; above the modern SAAMI recommended max. of 11,500 psi)
Guns: Smith - 23, Greener - 21, Parker - 16, Francotte - 10, Lefever - 7, 4 Scotts, 4 Winchester & Remington; Purdey & Colt - 2 each; Lang, Hollenbeck, Westley Richards, Grant, and Lancaster - 1 each.
In all there were fifteen different makes of guns represented, and just over half were of American make.
http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1896/VOL_27_NO_01/SL2701022.pdf

[Daryl Corona]

Thanks Drew, I never get tired of reading your posts of days gone by.