I posted earlier in this thread that my best was inheriting my grandfather's 16 ga VH. There's more to this story: I never knew my grandfather (my Dad's father) He was an exec in the 1920'30's with one of the major leather companies located in Boston. At some point around the time of the depression I was told by my Dad that my grandfather bought a small farm in Bow, New Hampshire to relieve some of the work related stress. One weekend while shooting hand trap with his sons on the farm and while shooting, the guns recoil caused his thumb to strike his nose. Apparently, he was holding the 16 somewhat loosely or not holding it properly at all. Anyway, he went home to Dedham, Mass later that day with a headache. He went to bed that night with a terrible headache and in the morning he was gone. The doctor came by and put a pen in the flat of his foot with no response and declared that he had passed. No pulse, no heartbeat. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage. Instead of a nose bleed, it bled inside.
My Dad inherited the 16 VH and my brother and I grew up hunting with it on grouse, pheasants and woodcock. After my Dad passed on, the gun came to me via my brother who didn't want it. Later, I drove out to DelGrego's shop and had Lawrence re-stock it, re-case and re-blue the barrels. A total restoration. The old wood was just too punky from oil over the years and it needed a good restoration. I have it to this day and one of my grandsons will inherit it when I pass. How could I in good conscience sell this 16 ga VH with this kind of family background ?
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