The Road to Yesterday

[Phil Yearout]

A copy of this book sold here recently and it prompted me to hunt down a copy of my own which I found on - of all places - walmart.com. Lots of really cool pics; I love some of the old shooting vests and coats, etc. ..

https://i.imgur.com/hAzoz1vh.jpg

the dedication page shows the author and his dad in 1949, with Dick shooting his Parker SC left handed...

https://i.imgur.com/Ui6UTeWh.jpg

and I wonder if Billy Beers knew he was starting a fashion trend back in 1948?

https://i.imgur.com/BRyQutwh.jpg

[Bill Murphy]

Billy Beers ??

[GunnerGrilli]

Thanks for sharing Phil!!!! Appreciate it. I just ordered me a copy!!


Thanks,


Bobby

[John Davis]

Fantastic book. A must for any gun library.

[Garry L Gordon]

I got a copy of this book when I was doing research for an article on Fred Gilbert. A great read! I especially like accounts of early trap shooting in those days when it was such a popular spectator sport. You trap shooters here have gotten me very interested—thanks!

[Bill Murphy]

Cliff Baldwin always had an "In" at Remington. It looks like he equipped son Dick with a 26" or 28" Parker single. I wonder who has that gun today. One of our posters bought a short barrel SC a few years back. It could be the same gun.

[Phil Yearout]

I thought the barrel looked short too. Bill you might be thinking of Orphan Annie which I bought with a 27-3/4" barrel. The gun books as a 34-incher and the numbers all match on the gun so the assumption has always been that the barrel was cut, but as per my piece in a recent Parker Pages, the choke measures as Full. It would really be something if Annie was that gun and had custom work done or a new barrel made for it at some point :eek:.

[Bill Murphy]

Dick Baldwin's short barrel SC was probably built that way at the Ilion works.

[GunnerGrilli]

Received my copy yesterday of this fantastic book. I read it cover to cover last night. What a piece of history, I would highly recommend this book. It was wonderful to see all of the Parker's, among other SBT's of course as well in this fine publication. A true treasure.

Thank you Phil for sharing. Really appreciate it.


Thanks,


Bobby

[Phil Yearout]

I was able to contact Dick Baldwin's daughter and asked her about the short-barreled SC in the photo, which was taken in 1949 when her dad was 12. She very graciously replied that she had no info on the gun unfortunately, and she asked her sister who also had none. Her dad was killed in a car crash a year after the book was published and the gun was not in his possession at that time.

Since I've had a couple of fellows contact me about copies I asked if she knew of any for sale. She said she had thought of having it reprinted but the cost was prohibitive, and the only copies she knows of are family copies.

[Phil Yearout]

I was able to contact Dick Baldwin's daughter and asked her about the short-barreled SC in the photo, which was taken in 1949 when her dad was 12. She very graciously replied that she had no info on the gun unfortunately, and she asked her sister who also had none. Her dad was killed in a car crash a year after the book was published and the gun was not in his possession at that time. She even contacted a well-known member here to see if he had any information; very kind of her.

Since I've had a couple of fellows contact me about copies I asked if she knew of any for sale. She said she had thought of having it reprinted but the cost was prohibitive, and the only copies she knows of are family copies

[Randy Davis]

I was able to contact Dick Baldwin's daughter and asked her about the short-barreled SC in the photo, which was taken in 1949 when her dad was 12. She very graciously replied that she had no info on the gun unfortunately, and she asked her sister who also had none. Her dad was killed in a car crash a year after the book was published and the gun was not in his possession at that time. She even contacted a well-known member here to see if he had any information; very kind of her.

Since I've had a couple of fellows contact me about copies I asked if she knew of any for sale. She said she had thought of having it reprinted but the cost was prohibitive, and the only copies she knows of are family copies


Phil, I have an new copy of Baldwins book if you still know someone still looking... $120 shipped priority mail.

RandyDavis

[Phil Yearout]

Randy, as I recall they were on this forum so maybe they'll be in touch.

[Randy Davis]

Thanks Phil...

[Dave Noreen]

I got my copy of The Road to Yesterday when Dick was set up at a gun show.

117851

The other day when I got out my 1907 Remington Arms Co. catalog for the thread about the nice BE-Grade Remington Hammerless Double, I notice this interesting writing on the cover --

117852

I've had the catalog for years, and don't think I'd ever read what was written on the cover.

[Arthur Shaffer]

This thread jogged my memory about trying to find a copy. I checked Amazon and they show one copy used with no pictures from a dealer with a pretty stiff price. I then checked eBay and they had one copy from a New York dealer. It was in an original shipping envelope (slit open at the top) and looked brand new. The dealer stated it had been opened and put on a shelf untouched. Could be hype but it really looked to be true. Price was $118 so I ordered it.

One interesting point was that there was another small pamphlet with the book in the envelope which was titled:

"PAHQUIOQUE ROD and GUN CLUB"

"-Through the Decades-"

"Presented to the Membership @ the 106th Annual Banquet"

The club is in Danbury CT.

The envelope does not look to have been addressed or look to have been posted.

I am not familiar with the club and my guess is that the book along with the smaller pamphlet were presented as a package at the banquet. Does anyone know if there is a connection between the book, the club and/or the author?

[Randy Davis]

Hello ArtS... I believe Pahquioque was Dick Baldwin’s home gun club. Dicks book is
a great read on the history of Trapshooting

[Bill Murphy]

Danbury was Dick's home town.

[Arthur Shaffer]

Just a note. I recieved the copy I found on eBay, and it was in the condition described. Absolutely new in the envelope. It was inscribed by Dick to a gentleman who a little quick research revealed to be a former member of the club who passed away almost exactly two years ago. He appeared from the obituary to be a nearby resident who had a lifelong interest in shotgun sports and boating. Very likely the copy came from the banquet listed in the club brochure.

I have skimmed through the book and it has some of the most interesting shooting stories I have ever seen related.