I acquired a heavy 16 ga in 2019. I had been chasing this configuration for a long time and I finally reeled it in after nearly a year of watching thanks to a fine PGCA friend.
"The Nightmare" was built in 1910 - this 16 ga VHE 32" F/F straight grip splinter with a pad was shipped to San Francisco with specific request it be built on a 1 1/2 frame and chambered 2 7/8" with 4 lbs of trigger pull.
The gun is perfect for me. It arrived in very high condition (which is frankly wasted on me as I mostly seek out guns based on configuration not condition) and I would not change a thing. I cannot see ever selling it. It will spend much time in my hands during waterfowl hunts - already recording numerous doubles in both Canada and the Vanderbilt Marsh. So far I have used 2 3/4" KM 1 1/16oz #5 loads but with the full chokes it has proven deadly on all types from big ducks to teal.
Together with my long barreled 20's -3 frame 12 and 6 frame 10 - I feel my duck and goose lineup is finally complete.
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“I never wrote a poem in my life. But if I ever do, it will be about ducks.”
– Gordon MacQuarrie, The Last Stories of the Old Duck Hunters, 1985
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