Single Barrel Traps

[John Davis]

Can you identify these SBT’s?

[Stan Hoover]

John,

I’m sure Murphy and some others will be able to identify each of them to the T, me not so much.

I do notice the Flues, all I can say, you really need a Knick:)

But then again, you more than likely have tried a Knick or 2

Stan

[Dave Noreen]

From the left -- Parker, Parker, Parker, Parker, Baker, Fox, L.C. Smith, Ithaca Flues.

[John Davis]

From the left -- Parker, Parker, Parker, Parker, Baker, Fox, L.C. Smith, Ithaca Flues.

Give that man a cigar!

[Kevin McCormack]

Yeah, easy = they are all American made, 12 gauge, between 28 and 34 inch barrels, Mod to Full chokes (unless bodgered by a local target-adder), and are all still grinding up clays after +/- 100 years old. PULL!

[Dave Noreen]

In addition to a Knick that lineup needs a D.M. Lefever/Three-Barrel Gun Co./Royal Gun Co. SBT --

135880

135881

135882

[Bill Murphy]

John had the best of the best, a Purdey, but sold it. John, if you need a Knick, give me a call.

[John Davis]

The Purdey was a wonderful gun, I just couldn’t hit anything with it. I’ve had a couple of Knicks but they never quite worked out. And I’ve owned several Parkers that didn’t make the cut either. I enjoy shooting a variety of classic American SBT’s but when it counts, and fit and consistency mean everything, I’ve found nothing that can compare with my current lineup of Parkers..

[allen newell]

They're all shotguns.

[John Davis]

All shotguns were not created equally.

[Steve McCarty]

From the left -- Parker, Parker, Parker, Parker, Baker, Fox, L.C. Smith, Ithaca Flues.

I am amazed! Does one guy own all of those single barrel trap guns?

[Bill Murphy]

In my opinion, the owner of that rack of singles needs to go shopping. I can help him with that.

[John Davis]

I am amazed! Does one guy own all of those single barrel trap guns?

And a couple of more not shown.

[mark johnson]

I still take the Purdey out on occasions. I still shoot my sbt Parker the best. I haven’t given up on the Purdey yet.

[John Davis]

The Purdey is an incredible gun. Without a doubt one of the finest SBT’s ever made. Just wish I had shot better.

[allen newell]

Brilliant

[GunnerGrilli]

Did someone say Single Barrel Traps????

[Phil Yearout]

Question for youse guys with multiple SBT's: do you shoot 'em or just collect 'em (Mr. Davis exempted). And if you shoot 'em, how do you decide which to take along for a round or two? Rotate 'em on some sort of regular basis, grab whichever one strikes your fancy on a given day, etc. etc. etc.?

I only have three and have a hard time with it; can't imagine what y'all do with so many. For a while I was a "grab and go" guy, then I started rotating every three rounds, lately I've been sticking with one through each league session (currently on my 5E Knick).

Inquiring minds want to know...this one anyway.

[Bill Murphy]

I try to shoot my single traps as often as possible, but the lure of my double guns usually takes over. My single traps include Parker, Fox, Francotte, Ithaca, Woodward, Lindner Daly, and maybe others. Still looking for a nice Purdey.

[Phil Yearout]

Well Bill, how do you decide on a gun when going out to shoot?

[Bill Murphy]

I traded for my first Parker single in 1973 at the Baltimore show. It is still my favorite because I shot it for a long time in local clay target turkey shoots and won a bunch of meat with it. If I really had to shoot ATA, this would be the gun. 52 years and counting. The gun was made in 1917, so it's 108 years old.

[Randy Davis]

Have had a passion for American Single Barrel Trap guns... Some from a display
I set up at a show about 12 years ago. Baker Gun Co., Fox, LC Smith, Parker,
Ithaca and Three Barrel Gun Co...
The passion has faded and several are in other collections today...
All are wonderful examples of American craftsmanship and the history of Legends at the Traps... Still enjoy a few from the collection.

[John Davis]

Now, that’s a collection of SBT’s!

[Bill Murphy]

Randy Davis is a very respected collector of early shooting history. John Davis is very respected also. Thanks to both of you.

[Phil Yearout]

OK. I only have three SBT's, and I'm just a recreational trap shooter; my name doesn't appear in the club money results, and while I do always hope to improve, well... I just show up, put my card in the slot that counts for my tokens, and do the best I can. My goal is 20 or above from the 16yd line, and 18 or above in the handicap round, whatever the distance. Not a very ambitious goal I guess, and I'm usually there, but not always - ya pays yer money, and ya takes yer chances.

My issue is getting each of my guns the shooting they deserve. For a while I was rotating them, three times on the line with one gun, move to the next gun, and so on. Lately I've been going with one gun for an entire "season" which is usually about 12 weeks or so.

So that was my original question: aside from those who are shootin' for the money, just wondering how y'all pick the gun you're gonna take to the range, and why. Sorry if the question is too complicated :cool:

[Bill Murphy]

It isn't complicated. I try to shoot all of my dozen or more singles whenever I get a chance. If I am shooting for money or score, I take my original Parker that I have owned since 1973. It is the most reliable and shoots the highest scores.

[Phil Yearout]

OK.

[John Davis]

Question for youse guys with multiple SBT's: do you shoot 'em or just collect 'em (Mr. Davis exempted). And if you shoot 'em, how do you decide which to take along for a round or two? Rotate 'em on some sort of regular basis, grab whichever one strikes your fancy on a given day, etc. etc. etc.?

I only have three and have a hard time with it; can't imagine what y'all do with so many. For a while I was a "grab and go" guy, then I started rotating every three rounds, lately I've been sticking with one through each league session (currently on my 5E Knick).

Inquiring minds want to know...this one anyway.

Phil, when I’m just shooting for fun (not actual practice or competition), I will take a couple or three of the SBT’s gathering dust and have a shoot off between them. See if the Ithaca beats the Smith or the Fox beats the Baker etc. It’s hard for me to just shoot. Seems like there always has to be some sort of a competition factor built in.