Researcher, you need to write a series of books!!

Another thread idea is ones you wished had turned your head and left your heart alone. Thing is I have been trying to forget about those

Often listed alongside the Winchester 24 as the ugliest side by sides ever made are these Stevens/JC Higgins/Model B/etc. .410's. The squared off receiver might be a little off-putting, but they are tons o' fun for not a lot of money (although the prices do seem to be going up)…

https://i.imgur.com/7qCLl2Gl.jpg

Actually I never turned my nose up at mine; I've always rather liked it :)!

I guess we're showing off our 410 doubles.

Here's my Ithaca Lefever Nitro Special 410 with 26" M/F barrels. As you can see, it's a later one. Weighs 5# 12 oz.

I've had this one for 51+ years. Paid $150.00 + $7.50 tax from Pearson's Gun Shop in Auburn, NY.

It has accounted for many cottontail rabbits and a few grouse.

In fact, I was grouse hunting with a PGCA member (Tom) quite a few years ago and was standing in some heavy cover with some tall Norway Spruce trees scattered here and there. I noticed something dropping from above.

It was grouse poop and some of it landed on the stock of my 410. Have you ever had a grouse poop on your gun? Almost justification to shoot them in the tree but it took flight and away it went. No shots taken.

All in good fun and sport.

https://i.imgur.com/9O6BKXG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/NaWKjEc.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2pgI04t.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/QptpIlw.jpg

I was the guest of an old gentleman on an Iowa pheasant hunt a few years back. Though he could afford to shoot anything he wanted, his gun of choice was a well worn Stevens 311, in 12 gauge.
When asked, he explained that he has hunted with that old gun since he was a kid, and he shot it well.
And, he shot it well!

Phil, your flat frame .410 with checkered walnut is a thousand dollar gun, or close, today. There are other variations that sell for close to that. They will kill a pheasant and are easy to carry.

Julia's Marlin fake LC Smith 410 is deadly in her hands

I have heard about the Winchester 59 for many years and always said why would anyone want one. I heard the stories of those that loved it and others cursing the butt heavy feel among other things. Never handled one until a couple months ago. One was in a local gun shop and I chuckled at it and picked it up. It felt pretty good but still not my taste. I went back for other things a few times and always picked it up. Well the price was 299.00, it was in decent shape and had a modified barrel. I said what the heck lets give it a try and bought it. Took it down back to the range, set up the trip wires and shot it from many angles and both split and stacked doubles. It was a very fast handling gun that pointed well for me. Not sure how many birds I shot but only had one miss. So far so good but more shooting needed for a better assessment. Sure does carry nice at 6 and a half pounds!

In the right hands, the guns mentioned, would take as much game as a Parker Invincible, Fox G Special, etc.

I recently bought a Model 59 from a cousin of mine. It was family heirloom and the price was a giveaway, so I have one now. I still have not shot it.