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