My first gun was a Francotte 20ga box lock, 28", M/F, given to me by my father when I turned 12. It was a much nicer version than a Knockabout, with considerable engraving and better wood, and I shot a lot of duck, dove, and quail in South Carolina with it. You had to let the quail get out a way before firing if you wanted anything left to eat.
After I moved to Vermont it wasn't much use for partridge and woodcock so I bought a Ruger 20, 26", I/M when they first came out; much more useful here and actually a great quail gun too. When my daughter was old enough I gave her the Ruger and it brought a tear to watch her bring down her first quail.
The Francotte was destroyed in a house fire during hurricane Bob (1991) in Newport but I did manage to salvage the stock medallion my father had had engraved with my initials.
|
Threaded Mode