For a gun that early (11,000 range) to have the patent latch, it was likely “upgraded” later. I once owned a grade 2 in the 12,000 range that had the keyed forend.

TPS speculates that at first maybe only higher grade guns used the patent latch, and lower grade guns kept using the keyed forend, explaining the period of overlap.

Do you have a letter on that gun eric? There may be records of a return for the upgrade.

I do not have a letter for it, being and earlier grade 0, but I may get one on the off chance there is any information. Thanks Brian.

My Dad had a "hit or miss" walk-behind garden tractor with a one-cylinder engine (and a 60 lb. flywheel) that sounded like a drumming grouse from start to finish.... thrump - thrump - thrump - thrump, fump,fump,fump,fump,thud,d,d,d,d,d,d,d,d,d,d,d,d,d ,d,d,d,d,d,d,d





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That's the sound Dean. I'm glad someone else thinks it sounds like an old engine starting. It's a wonderful sound. Another great sound I love is the squeeling of a hen woodduck. Certain sounds mean a lot. Another thing I love is not a sound but the smell of a fresh fired paper shotgun shell. I always smell them, I can't resist.

That squealing of the wood duck reminds me of piglets at the state fair greased pig contest.





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We had a boat on the Chesapeake, and there was a waterman who had a Franklin air cooled one lunger in his crabbing boat. He would wake us up as he went by. PUTT PUTT PUTT at about 60 rpm. The prop was geared up, and the boat was much faster than you would have guessed by the engine speed