Winchester Model 20.
Single shot Hammer .410


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Because two of my favorite early 20th Century characters on the shotgunning scene, Ansley H. Fox and Harold B. Money, shucked the Model 1897 for the Big W, I always wanted one. I'd been using Model 12 Skeet Guns and the Remington Model 31 for decades before I finally got a Model 97. Found it far less forgiving than the more modern pump guns I'd been using, and was very happy when the Model 97 got traded off on a Superposed. I'm much more a fan of the Winchester Model 12s, Remington Sportsman autoloaders & Model 31s of the 1930s and 40s.

Even though my Father railed against two things in American shotgunnery -- Winchester Model 24s and bottom dumper pump guns, here in my 70s I broke his admonitions and picked up a little improved cylinder, solid rib, Remington Model 17. $200 out the door at my local pawn shop. Been a good bit of fun and when I took it to the grain elevators for Eurasians I got three in my first four shots before my usual shooting kicked in!!

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Are you kidding me? Below are pics of a c. 1909 Grade 6 (Premier Grade) Remington Autoloading Shotgun (RAS) also known as the RA(Gun). The shorebirds and rendition of the dogs and waterfowl really put the hook in me and I had to have it. Enjoy!

Great topic Craig. I shoot my M12's regularly and they range in age from 1912 to 1948. An 11-48 in 20ga. is used when I'm ready to discard shells that are at the end of their reloading life and last but not least is a Rem M32.

Mikey K. does have a pump gun event at his shoot and maybe throwing in a vintage autoloader or O/U event is a possibility.

Im a big fan of auto-5s and model 11s, I also like early pumps like you mentioned. I personally find most guns of the era interesting and fun for a number of reasons. The craftsmanship and attention to detail, even on mass produced guns of the time, is unmatched today. I have a Winchester 1887 10ga that I think is pretty neat too.

I've owned everything you mentioned but I'm down to about a dozen humpbacks these days. My favorite is a Model 522 Stevens though, technically a "humpback" don't you know. I owe the coolest one I've ever seen, a straight grip trap model with killer wood and a 32 inch solid rib barrel.

Destry

I had a weak moment at a gun show on Saturday and bought a Red Letter Winchester Model 37 in .410.....

I have Model 12s from both grandfathers. One a Black Diamond trap, and the other a Pigeon Grade 16, along with their solid rib field guns mostly silver like they tend to be as they saw lots of use. I try and take one on the Thanksgiving morning pheasant hunt. There were no 870s in those homes, but I would love to have a Remington 17 in 20ga just like Researcher’s above.
One day I will find another Win. Mdl 37, .410 single barrel just like the one I had as child and shot many a limit of rabbits in front of our beagles. Just because you have a early Mdl 42 doesn’t mean one doesn’t need a Steel built single barrel.
I can run a pump gun, I know I can break more targets with the Belgian Browning O/U, but the Parker guns make the memories now.

I am a fan of Winchester Model 12's only buy ones with a solid or vent rib. Great guns

I have owned a few Model 1148's Chambered in 28 Gauge over the years and really like them ! I Love how the barrel moves to cock them ! Very Unique !