Mrs. W. A. Davis

Drew Hause · 08-13-2010, 07:58 PM

At the 1917 GAH. I can find listings only for her husband in Sporting Life

Old and Reliable · 08-13-2010, 10:31 PM

Or does this little Lady actually have one of her fingers inside the trigger guard and possibly resting on a trigger blade- with the action closed, albiet pointed skyward- Sure didn't put the olde emphasis on GUN SAFETY AND PROPER GUN HANDLING back at the 1917 GAH-- Mama Mia!!

Dean Romig · 08-13-2010, 11:27 PM

A very interesting recoil pad. I've only ever seen two like it. Anybody know the name of the manufacturer?

Drew Hause · 08-14-2010, 11:54 AM

Possibly the first patent Jostam Two Ply Sponge Rubber

Dean Romig · 08-14-2010, 06:34 PM

Thanks Drew, I'm sure that must be the one.

Bill Murphy · 08-15-2010, 02:22 PM

Drew, what state were the Davis's from? Let me know and I'll look her up and see whether she was a shooter.

Drew Hause · 08-15-2010, 03:08 PM

Chicago, Ill.

Bill Murphy · 08-15-2010, 06:50 PM

I have not found any evidence that Mrs. Davis shot any registered birds in the teens, but W.A. shot off and on in the teens and twenties. In 1917, he shot 2095 birds at an .8625 average. Other years he shot fewer birds, sometimes as little as a couple of hundred some years none. Female registered shooters were scarce in this period. The Grand was held in 1917 at the South Shore Country Club in Chicago so the Davises did not have to go far to attend.

Drew Hause · 08-15-2010, 07:16 PM

Thanks Bill.
BTW: Interesting how many late 1800s/early 1900s trap top guns were from Ill.
Captain Adam H. Bogardus (born in New York), "Doc" Carver, W.R. Crosby, Thomas A. Marshall, J.R. Graham, C.M. Powers, W.D. Stannard, F.G. Bills, George Roll, Homer Clark, Bart Lewis & Mark Arie.

Charles Ditto won the Preliminary Handicap at the 1908 GAH. George Roll won the Amateur Championship, and both were from Keithsburg. So was Tom Marshall, winner of the 1897 and 1899 GAH at Live Birds and Captain of the victorious U.S. squad in the 1901 Anglo-American Competition where he used a Parker rather than his Cashmore.

Fergus · 08-15-2010, 10:21 PM

So Drew, Is the gentleman holding the gun above Charles Ditto? As I'm sure you know he was a well known duck call maker. I have a couple. Thanks for the photo.