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I know that most of you have seen this article and know of the origins of Skeet (check a recent thread with some really good information and pictures by Dean R.), but I thought I'd share it again.

Found this issue on a recent road trip (along with other Foster illustrated covers that I purchased). Was delighted to find the article about this "new" shotgun sport in it.

What would you have sent in for the name????

Nice find Garry!!

I’d probably have submitted “Grousers”





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"LOST" "OPTION HIGH"

Dean, Hmmm…might have been good back in the day. But it sounds too much like a group of old guys I used to hang out with.:rotf::rotf::rotf:

I would have called it "Damnit" or "Tarnation."

Sure hate to hear that at Station 1!! Makes for a long round.

Here are a few more Foster covers. I really like his depiction of the stereotypical New Englander. Notice the Parker hammer gun and Super Fox.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Trap-Skee...Resized-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Trap-Skee...re%202b-XL.jpg

"Lost" at High 8 for Dave ;)

https://photos.smugmug.com/Trap-Skee...resized-XL.jpg

I have two of those, but not the March '33. The quest is on! Thanks for posting.

When we would hold our annual vintage Skeet shoot at my club several years ago we woukd all dress like those Skeeters in Drew’s last picture and a few members would show up in their antique cars. Lots of good clean fun!!





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Got any photos?! It would have been great to re-create the cover art.

Yes, I have 1 picture of us.





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This would be a great spot to post it!

Speaking of skeet, is there a difference between “410 short” and “410 2 1/2”?

By the mid-1930s the .410 was being used in competition in two classes: “.410 Long” with 3/4 oz. and “.410 Short” with 3/8 oz. shot.

A sharply dressed squad of California skeeters in 1934

https://photos.smugmug.com/Trap-Skee...%20Skeet-M.jpg

About three years after the 1933 introduction of the .410-bore 3-inch with 3/4 ounce of shot, the 2 1/2 inch .410-bore shell got a boost from 3/8 ounce to the 1/2 ounce we know today.

Attachment 99129

Attachment 99130

My 1934 Stoeger catalog shows the Western Super-X 2 1/2 inch .410-bore #9 (Skeet Load) with 1/2 ounce of shot. The Super-X 2 1/2 inch .410-bore loads with other shot sizes are shown as 3/8 ounce?!?

Attachment 99131

Attachment 99132

Pat Laursen with her aluminum Cutts equipped Model 12

https://photos.smugmug.com/Shooters/...0Laursen-M.jpg

Made the cover of Life Magazine!

High 8 broken, shell being ejected, and head well off the stock

https://photos.smugmug.com/Shooters/...20at%208-L.jpg

On Station 4 at the Pacific Gun Club

https://photos.smugmug.com/Shooters/...n%20Club-M.jpg

Skeet and How to Shoot It, Bob Nichols, 1939
One O/U and (oh the shame) autoloaders with Cutts!

https://photos.smugmug.com/Trap-Skee...0resized-L.jpg

James, do you know who won the trophies you picture?

From 1933 The Du Pont Skeet Handbook, only vintage pictures I've found of a shooter with a Fox Skeeter --

Attachment 99200

Attachment 99201

Attachment 99202

Attachment 99203

Just checked to be sure but no name of who won on either. James

In partial answer to Bill's question, according to the Winchester Skeet Handbook, copyright 1934, both .410-bore events at the 1933 Great Eastern were won by Dr. R.G. Vance, Waban, Mass. with his Winchester Model 42. He also won the short in 1934.

I finally found some pictures of one of our our vintage skeet shoots from the early 90’s but the group photo wasn’t among them.
I’ll have to go to the club house to photograph the one on the wall there.


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Thanks, Dean!, and others who have posted old (and recreated) photos.

There are some great old pictures in the old Skeet books like “Skeet and Trap Shooting by Dick Shaughnessy and Tap Goodenough and “Skeet, and how to shoot it” by Bob Nichols.
I think Nichols’ book is more informative, but that’s just me.

I have a hunch that Tap signed both his and Dick’s names as the handwriting is identical.


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Dick Shaughnessy shoots a Parker SBT. Wish we knew the serial number ot the grade at least. Most likely a SC.


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Jimmy Robinson's 1942 book is another good source of vintage pictures.

Attachment 99288

Looks to me like the good doctor is holding a Remington Model 32 here, not his Winchester Model 42.

A few more pictures with captions from the two books I referenced earlier.


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I went to the Skeet clubhouse yesterday and was able to snap this pic from the original on the wall. That’s my 12 gauge GH with 27” Damascus barrels and an aftermarket BTFE.
Sorry about the glare.


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Now that's pretty darned cool!