W. H. Foster's "Little Hammer Gun"

[jerry serie]

Are photos or descriptions of W. H. Foster's, 16-gauge, little hammer gun published anywhere, such as DGJ or others? Thanks

[Bill Murphy]

I can't remember what auction held the sale, but they should have great pictures.

[Dean Romig]

I have the booklet and I’ll post pics here in a few minutes.


...well, I know I have it but finding it seems to present a bit of a problem.
I'll keep looking.




.

[Dean Romig]

Found it…

The title is “The Magic of the Little Gun” and it was printed as a 23 page soft-bound booklet by Jonathan P. Foster, son of WHF and was issued in conjunction with the beautifully done re-issue of New England Grouse Shooting, which is a treasured part of my sporting library.



.

[Dean Romig]

I can't remember what auction held the sale, but they should have great pictures.


Incidentally, the “Little Gun” has never been sold and resides with one of WHF’s sons to this date.





.

[edgarspencer]

Many years ago, COB sold me an identical grade 2 16ga. It was everything Foster said of it.

[Dean Romig]

I have had six 0-frame 16 gauge Parker hammer guns... one that I still have is a D-grade Lifter with original 27" Laminated Steel barrels made in the Parker foundry in about 1879.





.

[edgarspencer]

And one of those six was one of my six:banghead::banghead:

[Brian Hornacek]

I found this in an article:

For anyone who has ever owned a double gun, the first chapter, titled “The Little Gun,” is especially appealing. It covers the early beginnings of a 16-gauge Parker that had been in the Foster family for five generations (a complete story of its history and details from Parker Company records appeared in Double Gun Journal, volume 12, issue 4 in 2001). The chapter concludes with the kind of writing that every hunter, young and old alike, will treasure

From:
William Harnden Foster
by Art Wheaton | Mar 7, 2022 | ART & COLLECTIBLES, HUNTING, LIFESTYLE, PERSONALITIES, Shooting Sportsman Magazine

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Brian. Art is a very close friend of the Foster family.





.

[Bill Murphy]

Dean, thanks for reminding me of my error. I was confusing WHF's 16 gauge with Annie Oakley's 16.

[Dean Romig]

oops... wrong quote.
.

[Dean Romig]

And one of those six was one of my six:banghead::banghead:



Was that the Grade 1 with 28" Laminated Steel barrels Edgar?





.

[Bill Murphy]

I still have the back end and forend of a #0 frame 16 hammer gun. I sure could use a set of barrels for this gun.

[CraigThompson]

I had an 0 frame Grade 2 30” hammer for awhile , bought it from someone on here and after awhile let them have it back . Had to much drop for me and it was before I could bring my self to using that Velcro deal to raise the comb . I also at the same time had a Grade 1 I believe it was 30” but 1 frame I purchased from the Lowensteiner Boutique of fine Guns and Acessories , that one I was lights out with and won the 16 gauge American hammer at Sanford the first year I shot there . I liked the grade 2 more well because I like Grade 2’s but I shot the lesser grade gun far far better .

[edgarspencer]

Was that the Grade 1 with 28" Laminated Steel barrels Edgar?

The 24" grade 0 lifter.

[Dean Romig]

OMG Edgar - I LOVE that gun and don’t know why I ever sold it.
I would pay twice what I sold it for just to have it back.
Geoffroy engraved that woodcock for me in the Bulino style for me.

.

[CraigThompson]

A friend sent me this .

[Dean Romig]

Yes, that’s a good issue.
I have it in my PP collection.





.