I think low pressures are the secret. High pressures result in faster setback and resulting deformation of pellets, resulting in poorer patterns. My handload for springer field trials was 1 1/4 oz of magnum #6 shot in the first barrel, and copper 5's in the second, both pushed by 26 gr of 800X (I think.) Am away from my loading book

Any chance we can see it in the display case?

I'll see what I can do, Dean. Dean's case for this gun is astounding, housing all parts, second barrel set and second forearm.

Dean, send me an email at wilmrph@verizon.net and I will reply with some pictures.

I haven't heard back from Dean, so anyone who is willing to post my pictures can email me and I will reply with the pictures. Thanks.

Bill's Gold Hearts gun photos.

Russell Cleary was generous enough to post the pictures of the "Gold Hearts Gun" for me to show off Dean Hanson's case making skills. I threw Dean a pile of gun parts including a 34" barrel set and a monstrous beavertail and he made me a case from a beautiful antique shell. Now, I don't think a geco could find room to rest in there. I don't know what Dean thinks, but I think it is probably his masterpiece. Sorry I didn't have pictures of the outside of the case, which is beautiful. The extra picture is of my eight bore Greener Royal and a hand made oak box housing 25 of the 30 eight gauge brass cases that I picked up at Hamburg Cabela's Bargain Cave. Allen Campbell made the wonderful box. I think he can be reached at 360-608-4642. Although this unengraved Greener doesn't look like it would be called a Royal Grade, Graham Greener thinks so after examining the records from 1885.

Bringing this thread to the top so you can see Matt Hanson's (not Dean Hanson's) casemaking skills and my favorite pigeon gun. Also included are pictures of Allen Campbell's outrageous box for 25 eight gauge shells. And you think I never post any pictures. Thanks to Russell Cleary for the pictures in this thread.
The article about the Annie Oakley 1902 Grand American gun is only in its planning stages, but I have all my research material somewhat in order. Stay tuned. The 30" Damascus barrels with the gold balls at the breech are the barrels that Annie used in the 1902 Grand American at Live Birds. The 34" Parker Special Steel barrels were added at Parker Brothers at a later date along with the beavertail forend.

An incredibly interesting gun! Thanks, Bill, for bringing it back to our attention.

I also note that the research letter refers to the grip as a "ball grip." In light of the discussion on another thread regarding grip nomenclature, maybe the thinking should be reconsidered. Obviously, some hammer-less guns have ball grips.

Case Making
 

Hey Folks, Quick clarification, my older Brother Matthew is the case guy.... im the Parker gun guy. He is a fine craftsman in his own right.

Be Well