George Bird Evans 28 Gauge
 

Good morning, all:

I did a cursory search in the forums but could not find a thread.

I read that late in life, George Bird Evans switched to a 28 gauge. If so, what was the gun and its info, and does anyone know its current whereabouts? I know the story behind his Purdey, I'm curious about the 28 gauge.

Thank you in advance for any information, and apologies if this is an overbaked topic.

R/

I’m pretty sure the 28 was an AYA .

Seems to me he had injured his shoulder and wanted something with less recoil , hence the 28 AYA .

A Spanish gun if i remember correctly of his writing about it.

I remember reading about his 28ga, a little exploring Google found that it was a AYA boxlock. I remember he wrote more info about the gun but can't remember where.

Craig is correct, it was an AyA, and was purchased because of a shoulder injury that kept him from shooting a heavier gun. He apparently fell for Bodio’s little 28 and got one like it. Pretty sure it was their 453 model. I have two such 28s and can attest to their quality.

To the best of my knowledge I don’t think he spent a great amount of money on guns . And I think he only had four 20 Sterlingworth , 12 Sterlingworth , the Purdey and the mentioned little AYA . By no means do I consider myself an authority on the man or a great friend of his . I did however talk to him on the phone usually twice a year back in the 80’s or so . And he’d tell me about that seasons points etc . I learned early not to ask “how many did ya kill this season” . So I found it better to ask how many staunch points that season or something along those lines .

GBE had rotator cuff injuries in both shoulders making mounting a gun difficult

The AYA was acquired from a member of the Old Hemlock family if I recall

It had a very short length of pull that allowed him to mount it with raising his elbows much at all.

The varying accounts of GBE and Steven Bodio of their meeting and Evan’s’ lust for his AyA is quite the lesson in differing perspectives. Worth seeking out.

Catherine Harpers book on his life is a great read and well worth reading, even if you're not a huge fan of the man. Quite the life. Lots of in depth information in there.

https://www.amazon.com/George-Bird-E.../dp/0967464609

As far as I know, George Bird Evans only ever bought one firearm, that AYA. The 20 gauge Fox was a gift from his father. It was traded for the 12 gauge Fox Sterlingworth. The Purdey was willed to him by Dr Norris. Unless, of course, if he had a .22 rifle or center fire rifle he never really used or a revolver for home defense.

I'm sure there is a photo of a .22 rifle in one of his books, and reference to it in one of his essays, but I think you are correct, Ian, and that the .22 was probably a gift from his father(?).

It kind of makes those of us who have more guns than we really need look a bit gluttonous (unless, of course, all of them were gifted to us I guess:))

Beware the man that uses but one gun! My experience is they are superb shots. I could never be one, but definitely see the benefit in marksmanship.

Once when chatting GBE on the phone he was asking where geographically Orange was in Virginia . Then he related during WWII I think he said he was stationed somewhere in VA anyway he would come to a place called Syria VA and fly fish for brookies . Syria is maybe 20 miles from my home and of course I know all the places up there he spoke of . Syria is maybe four miles the way the crow flies from the Shenandoah National Park .

he did serve as an illustrator for the navy stationed in the DC area

I believe he mentioned visiting an estate in VA in one of his books

I think you may be correct on the DC thing . He told me Kay would meet him somewhere and they’d drive up to Syria and rent a room or cottage when he had leave . Where he told me he fished was maybe 3-5 miles from Hoovers Camp on the Rapidan . The same Rapidan River/stream that Harry Murray came up with the Mr. Rapidan fry flies and emergers . I spent many mornings and evenings in the same general area bouncing dry flies off rocks with my little Walt Carpenter 6 1/2’ 4wt split cane rod . Never used much other than Mr. Rapidans and blonde elk hair caddis .