The day my heart nearly stopped . . .

[Stan Hillis]

I came across this photo of me and Bo Whoop before it was sent to Julia's Auction. It had been discovered in Savannah, GA and I was offered a rare opportunity to visit with it, take measurements and photos, and just generally caress it for as long as I wanted. It was a rainy day in October and I couldn't harvest peanuts so I struck out for Savannah early that morning with camera, measuring tools, etc.

As I held it to my shoulder and looked down those big barrels I was keenly aware that I was seeing the same view that Mr. Nash saw so many hundreds of times in the swamps of Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. My heart was beating so hard I could hardly breathe.

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/74211_766x574.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/74211_766x574/)

[Garry L Gordon]

Funny what holding a gun with history can do to a guy. :bowdown:

[Stan Hillis]

Yeah, it didn't help that I was already a Fox nut and owned a 32" HE grade Super Fox myself, had hunted ducks with it by Trapper's Island in the Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA where Buckingham had often hunted, and had memorized everything about Bo Whoop and the story behind it. I was picking peanuts one day and got a phone call from a buddy in Savannah that knew the whereabouts of the gun. The call went like this, after we exchanged pleasantries: "Hey Stan, do you know anything about a Fox gun named Bo Whoop?", he said. "What do you want to know about it? I know everything that's ever been written concerning it. The serial number is 31088." I replied. "How would you like to see it in person?" were his next words. "Don't jerk my chain, Vernon. It's been lost for a long, long time." I answered. "It's not lost anymore." Vernon replied. "I'll be there the first day it rains." were my next words.

In the meantime I talked with Dave Noreen in WA and we decided on the things I needed to look for and measure, to try to determine if it really was the original and not a counterfeit. It certainly looked original to me and all the details checked out, which was later verified by Austin Hogan at Julia's. I decided to keep it quiet, as far as internet chatter goes, until Julia's broke the news. I think several AHFCA members, including Dave, manning a Fox booth at Beinfeld's show saw it the next January, when Julia's brought it to the show.

I consider the day that pic was taken to be the high point in my double gunning life, as far as seeing famous guns goes. It was humbling, and I was extremely grateful for the experience.

[Dean Romig]

You’re a very lucky guy Stan!
I have held and caressed and shot a few guns owned by semi famous sportsmen. It’s a whole special feeling for sure. First time I shot Burt Spiller’s twenty-gauge VH at sporting clays in 2009 I shot my best score ever and it was like Burt was right there directing every shot.

Congratulations Stan.





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[Stan Hillis]

Thank you, Dean. It was a special blessing.

[Rick Roemer]

That really is outstanding. I think I’m correct that Bo Whoop is now at DU headquarters in Memphis? My problem is every time I’m in Memphis the headquarters is closed. Was just near there hunting last weekend and again, closed. I’m currently reading Nash‘s letters to John Bailey right now. What a life the man led. I’d love to see that gun.

[Stan Hillis]

Yes, Rick. It is there along with Bo Whoop II, which was the gun Nash's friends got together and ordered for him to replace Bo Whoop I. I've been trying to get by the DU Museum for years myself but haven't gotten there yet, like you. Every time I'm duck hunting near Memphis I try to arrange it and it hasn't worked out yet. Maybe someday . . . .

[Garry L Gordon]

Here’s an old thread that might be of interest:

https://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=35743

[Stan Hillis]

Thanks for posting the link from 2022, Garry. I had clean forgotten about it. If I had remembered I wouldn't have posted the pic again. My apologies to all for the repetition. I need to be more careful.

They say when men start to get old they repeat themselves all the time. I'm beginning to believe it.

They say when men start to get old they repeat themselves all the time. I'm beginning to believe it.

They say when . . . . . aww, darn it. Never mind.

[Garry L Gordon]

If I’d held that gun, I would likely post my reminiscence about it every so often. You should, too. It’s a great story, and one worth repeating and remembering.

My post was only in reference to the visit to the DU headquarters, not to detract from your wonderful story about that special gun.

[Stan Hillis]

Thanks, Garry, and I didn't take it that way at all. It just reminded of how poor my memory of such things has become.

Best, SRH

[Bill Murphy]

I'm glad you guys are a bit accepting of my repetitions of my earlier double gun and bird hunting adventures. I'll be 80 in October. We're all in this together.

[Garry L Gordon]

I'm glad you guys are a bit accepting of my repetitions of my earlier double gun and bird hunting adventures. I'll be 80 in October. We're all in this together.

You bet, Bill. You need to write a book.