[mobirdhunter]

A couple more Foxes and then I move on.

This very early CE 12 has the wonderful early engraving. I love the birds on the bolsters. This gun has a bit too much drop for upland birds over my Gordons, but is great for dove or ducks from a blind (and it has proven itself here in Missouri).

This CSMC XE 16 is a gun I'll not get rid of in my lifetime, and I hope I have someone I feel good enough about leaving it to when I pass. Elaine and I visited Tony C. at his factory to order this gun, and he gave us the guided tour, spending lots of time with us. At the time this was the most I could ever have imagined I'd spend on a gun, and I wanted something very individualized. After getting fitted I was able to get the custom stock dimensions I wanted, and I challenged Tony to make this XE 16 weigh under 6 lbs. He and his artisans met my challenge. This gun has 29 inch barrels and is choked .012/.000. When I ordered it I envisioned using it on the high plains and prairies of Montana. Ultimately, it proved itself in Montana, taking Huns and sharptails on the prairies, and ruffed and blue grouse in the mountains, shooting over my Gordon brace of Lichen and Moss. I've also shot lots of quail, pheasants, and grouse in all of the Mid-West states we hunt, and have doubled on quail and grouse with this beauty which now lives at the back of the safe. It really liked the B&P 2 5/8" shells, and even with the more open chokes, would reach out on those open prairie shots.

A feature of this gun that makes it even more special is the engraving of our dog Prairie Trace, who I believe to be my "once in a lifetime" bird dog (although I'll agree "I ain't dead just quite yet"), although his son, Briar, would challenge that. I made the sketch of Trace and sent it to Tony. I also asked that I be given the names of every person who worked on this gun (along with their task). It makes for a great provenance for this very special-to-me gun.