PGCA recognized

TARNATION !!! · 05-10-2011, 09:53 PM

With the increased interest in hammer guns and side-by-side shotguns in general, fostered by organizations such as The Vintagers, the Parker Collectors Ass'n and others, many are taking another look at their old shotguns with an eye to shooting them again.

Just a couple lines from an interesting reference about old shotguns.

Check it out HERE if you haven't already seen Grampa's Shotgun: More Than Sentimental Value?

Dean Romig · 05-10-2011, 11:07 PM

My Oh My, that PGCA address and the prices for a Research Letter are all about eight years old at least and outdated/incorrect today.

However, it's a pretty decent article on it's own merit.

TARNATION !!! · 05-10-2011, 11:11 PM

I thought there was a sale on letters

Boxbirder · 05-11-2011, 07:52 AM

It's to bad that many shooters are turned off by the whole deal of the Edwardian Gunners. I have been to many of the early SxS shoots, trouble is I don't sport button shirts, wool of any sort. Penrith stockings, Yorkshire derby's....... I did enough of that at Prep school. Now if they allowed tie dyes, shorts, New Balance sneakers, a VW Micro bus I might be tempted to go again.
SxS's owners are a rare breed, but there is a division in owners, if your not rolling with Lord Rippon than you just ain't cool. I could tell you countless stories of going into shops looking for bespokes, all while they aren't treating you like a customer more like a thief. Then there working with the guy who's all dolled up.

Ed Blake · 05-11-2011, 08:06 AM

Mark - Come to the Southern SxS next time. We roll a bit differently down there. There are guys who sport their vintager togs, and that's OK, but more of us are just jeans and tee shirts. Even the Holland and Holland guys are pretty relaxed.

J.B. Books · 05-11-2011, 08:13 AM

In contrast I have found the Downeast Chapter of the Vintagers to be very welcoming. This past weekend they held a shoot in Scarborough Maine. There were as many people in t-shirts, sneakers and jeans as period style clothing. Squads were mixed between chapter members and non members, trophies were open to all. Any side by side qualified, from American classic to Brownings and Ithaca SKB's. Everyone was invited to go to lunch after at a local restaraunt. It doesn't get much more welcoming than that. In my opinion the small Downeast chapter is doing it right by being so welcoming they create an atmosphere that promotes membership. Good bunch of people they are!

Boxbirder · 05-11-2011, 08:47 AM

Well then I need to re-think. Last event I was at was the first Vintagers at Orvis in NY to me it was a turn off. I had a grand time there hanging with my friend the late Bill Wise. We talked all day about Linder's and riding the pipes on long boards, he was the first old time surfer I ever met that surfed the Gas Chambers and the Mavricks. Many who knew Bill didn't even know at one time he was the baddest east coast surfer who went to HI brought back with him the velcro wallet and the bikini.

Dean Romig · 05-11-2011, 09:13 AM

In contrast I was made to feel very unwelcome at a nice gun store in Concord, NH by the two pot-bellied, scruffy proprietors who each had an ivory-handled Colt Thunderer in his belt. They had some pretty nice doubles on the wall behind the counter and I asked to examine a very nice looking 16 ga. Fox CE. (my well-backed checkbook was in my pocket) The first thing the guy closest to me said was "Well, are you gonna buy it?" I told him I didn't know if I would and I could only answer the question honestly after I examined the gun. He said "Look buddy, that's an expensive gun there and we can't let just anybody handle it. If you're not gonna buy it I can't let you touch it." I politely thanked him and left the store without even glancing at any of the other fine doubles on the wall or even those in the racks on the floor. I haven't visited that store since.

I guess boorish behavior isn't limited to the 'upper echelon' of gun dealers and I have yet to be treated so poorly by much finer gun stores.

Autumn Daze · 05-11-2011, 09:47 AM

I firmly believe that there is room for everybody in the PGCA and double gun community in general. The love of SxS shotguns transcends all classes of people from the working man to the well healed. I have met and am proud to call very many of these folks my friends. Me... I'm a jeans and T-shirt kinda guy for the most part because that's just who I am.

TARNATION !!! · 05-11-2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Suponski

The love of SxS shotguns transcends all classes of people from the working man to the well healed.

Just made me chuckle. I'm thinking that would be a semi or pump or O/U shooter who, after divine intervention, has seen the light.

Now back to the first cup of coffee for today.

Cheers,
Jack