George Bird Evans 28 Gauge

[Alfred Houde]

Good morning, all:

I did a cursory search in the forums but could not find a thread.

I read that late in life, George Bird Evans switched to a 28 gauge. If so, what was the gun and its info, and does anyone know its current whereabouts? I know the story behind his Purdey, I'm curious about the 28 gauge.

Thank you in advance for any information, and apologies if this is an overbaked topic.

R/

[CraigThompson]

I’m pretty sure the 28 was an AYA .

[CraigThompson]

Seems to me he had injured his shoulder and wanted something with less recoil , hence the 28 AYA .

[Daniel Carter]

A Spanish gun if i remember correctly of his writing about it.

[James L. Martin]

I remember reading about his 28ga, a little exploring Google found that it was a AYA boxlock. I remember he wrote more info about the gun but can't remember where.

[Garry L Gordon]

Craig is correct, it was an AyA, and was purchased because of a shoulder injury that kept him from shooting a heavier gun. He apparently fell for Bodio’s little 28 and got one like it. Pretty sure it was their 453 model. I have two such 28s and can attest to their quality.

[CraigThompson]

Craig is correct, it was an AyA, and was purchased because of a shoulder injury that kept him from shooting a heavier gun. He apparently fell for Bodio’s little 28 and got one like it. Pretty sure it was their 453 model. I have two such 28s and can attest to their quality.

To the best of my knowledge I don’t think he spent a great amount of money on guns . And I think he only had four 20 Sterlingworth , 12 Sterlingworth , the Purdey and the mentioned little AYA . By no means do I consider myself an authority on the man or a great friend of his . I did however talk to him on the phone usually twice a year back in the 80’s or so . And he’d tell me about that seasons points etc . I learned early not to ask “how many did ya kill this season” . So I found it better to ask how many staunch points that season or something along those lines .

[Rick Losey]

GBE had rotator cuff injuries in both shoulders making mounting a gun difficult

The AYA was acquired from a member of the Old Hemlock family if I recall

It had a very short length of pull that allowed him to mount it with raising his elbows much at all.

[Garry L Gordon]

The varying accounts of GBE and Steven Bodio of their meeting and Evan’s’ lust for his AyA is quite the lesson in differing perspectives. Worth seeking out.

[Andrew Sacco]

Catherine Harpers book on his life is a great read and well worth reading, even if you're not a huge fan of the man. Quite the life. Lots of in depth information in there.

https://www.amazon.com/George-Bird-Evans-Shooting-Gentleman/dp/0967464609

[Ian Civco]

As far as I know, George Bird Evans only ever bought one firearm, that AYA. The 20 gauge Fox was a gift from his father. It was traded for the 12 gauge Fox Sterlingworth. The Purdey was willed to him by Dr Norris. Unless, of course, if he had a .22 rifle or center fire rifle he never really used or a revolver for home defense.

[Garry L Gordon]

As far as I know, George Bird Evans only ever bought one firearm, that AYA. The 20 gauge Fox was a gift from his father. It was traded for the 12 gauge Fox Sterlingworth. The Purdey was willed to him by Dr Norris. Unless, of course, if he had a .22 rifle or center fire rifle he never really used or a revolver for home defense.

I'm sure there is a photo of a .22 rifle in one of his books, and reference to it in one of his essays, but I think you are correct, Ian, and that the .22 was probably a gift from his father(?).

It kind of makes those of us who have more guns than we really need look a bit gluttonous (unless, of course, all of them were gifted to us I guess:))

[Rick Roemer]

Beware the man that uses but one gun! My experience is they are superb shots. I could never be one, but definitely see the benefit in marksmanship.

[CraigThompson]

Once when chatting GBE on the phone he was asking where geographically Orange was in Virginia . Then he related during WWII I think he said he was stationed somewhere in VA anyway he would come to a place called Syria VA and fly fish for brookies . Syria is maybe 20 miles from my home and of course I know all the places up there he spoke of . Syria is maybe four miles the way the crow flies from the Shenandoah National Park .

[Rick Losey]

Once when chatting GBE on the phone he was asking where geographically Orange was in Virginia . Then he related during WWII I think he said he was stationed somewhere in VA anyway he would come to a place called Syria VA and fly fish for brookies . Syria is maybe 20 miles from my home and of course I know all the places up there he spoke of . Syria is maybe four miles the way the crow flies from the Shenandoah National Park .

he did serve as an illustrator for the navy stationed in the DC area

I believe he mentioned visiting an estate in VA in one of his books

[CraigThompson]

he did serve as an illustrator for the navy stationed in the DC area

I believe he mentioned visiting an estate in VA in one of his books

I think you may be correct on the DC thing . He told me Kay would meet him somewhere and they’d drive up to Syria and rent a room or cottage when he had leave . Where he told me he fished was maybe 3-5 miles from Hoovers Camp on the Rapidan . The same Rapidan River/stream that Harry Murray came up with the Mr. Rapidan fry flies and emergers . I spent many mornings and evenings in the same general area bouncing dry flies off rocks with my little Walt Carpenter 6 1/2’ 4wt split cane rod . Never used much other than Mr. Rapidans and blonde elk hair caddis .