Haha I look at that gun at least once a day definitely a dream gun it checks all the boxes then some.

I'd have to think more about any literature to specifically answer your good question. Remember early on, almost any bird (of size and worth of expending powder and shot) was considered a target. After seasons were established, when numbers dropped, seasons were closed (the early form of game management). What had developed into a tradition (shore bird hunting, for example), was lost. When seasons were re-established after the closures, what was deemed "game" was redefined through whatever processes existed in a state to enact laws (an exception were the migratory bird laws, which are federal in nature and established by treaty -- and an interesting topic in an of themselves). You can still see the evidence of our regard for what is game, songbird, and/or vermin in our current hunting practices. There was a time when, if you purchased a hunting license of some states, there was tacit agreement (and sometimes explicit) that you would shoot all hawks (and free roaming cats in some states). There's some fascinating history to examine in all of this.

During the depression, my wife's grandfather shot robins with a BB gun as the only meat in the family's dinner. (Polish immigrant family with many kids)

I figured it either came down to cultural norms or perhaps or species that are more easily repopulated were chosen as game birds. Im not sure about other states but I believe here we have two categories, non game animals and non game protected animals. I guess what I am looking for would be something on the cultural or social roots of modern hunting. Regulations aside locally we have game animals we dont hunt I suppose you could call its a custom passed down by the older generation.

I have read stories that stated pretty much any animal was table fare during the depression.

Her name looks like an explosion in a consonant factory, but is a strong family with the right values

Charlie:

The book has long been in the public domain, and is available for free (in digital form) here: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3535...-h/35351-h.htm

-Victor

The Lefever 8 that was supposed have belonged to Grover was at the Southern last year . That was the first and probably only gun owned by a president that I’ll ever have in my hands . If I’m not mistaken the Colt 8 he owned is in the NRA mueseum . Everything I’ve read on the subject of Colt 8 gauge claims that was the only 8 gage Colt ever manufactured .

George Perry caught his long-time record-holding, 22-pound 4-ounce, Largemouth Bass in Montgomery Lake, Georgia, well into the Great Depression.

It was 1932. He may have considered the luxury of having his trophy Bass mounted. But what he did do was he took it home and ate it.

Would be interesting to know what the weight is on the Colt and how it compares to the Lefever as it is light for a 8 ga so perhaps he favored a lighter gun. It was Ian on Forgotten Weapons that says there were 2 but again I havnt seen a source for that claim. Though it could be possible there are instances of collectors having historical guns and never talking about it. Even without the Cleveland connection that Lefever is something special.