Circa 1900-05 Live Bird gun

[Drew Hause]

The Interstate Association organized the first Grand American Handicap at Live Birds, under Revised Hurlingham rules, for spring 1893. Twenty-one shooters paid $25 to compete.
In 1894, first place was awarded $500 and guns were limited to 12 gauge and 8 pounds.

The 1898 “Trap Shooting Rules” by the American Shooting Association (courtesy of Randy Davis) listed the following rules:
Charge of powder was unlimited
Shot was limited to 1 1/4 oz. by “Dixon’s measure”
Weight limit (there was no weight limit in 1890 or 1893) and ‘naked’ was not stated:
10g - 9 lbs. 4 oz.
12g - 8 lbs. 4 oz.
16g - 7 lbs. 12 oz.
20g - 7 lbs. 8 oz.

Sporting Life
John L. Lequin. secretary of the Interstate Association, writes us under date of Feb. 25, 1898 as follows:
“We have received inquiries from most all directions recently from a number of shooters who are probably desirous of entering the Grand American Handicap next month, concerning the weight of guns, and whether the handhold and recoil pad will be counted as a part of the gun when weighed. The subject has been placed before the Tournament Committee of the association, which committee has decided that the guns will be weighed naked.” ("Naked" was without a "boot" or barrel guard)

The Baker Gun Quarterly, Volume 5, No. 3, May 1900 had an article on the weight of Trap/Pigeon guns used by Capt. A.W. Money (8 pounds - Money used a Greener, Smith, and Parker), C.W. Budd (7 pounds 14 ounce Parker), H.D. Bates (winner of the 1900 GAH at Live Birds; 7 pounds 13 ounce Parker), R.O. Heikes (7 pounds 15 ounce Parker but after the GAH at Live Birds he went back to his Remington hammerless and won the 1900 [1st] GAH at Targets), J.S. Fanning (7 pounds 15 ounce Smith), W.R. Crosby (7 pounds 12 ounce Baker), and Col. A.G. Courtney (7 pounds 14 ounce Remington CEO).

[Drew Hause]

L.C. Smith Pigeon Gun

1894 Chas. Godfrey, N.Y. courtesy of Dave Noreen; illustrated with safety



1910 Norvell-Shapleigh, St. Louis; again with safety. At that point Hunter Arms described the gun as "Pigeon Gun", not "Pigeon Grade"



which is not to say "No Safety" could not be ordered. The two piece tang was discontinued about 1910, but found on guns as late as 1915

[Drew Hause]

1904 ad for the C.E.O. Trap Gun. The 1904 Touring UMC Squad, included T. A. Marshall, Captain; R. O. Heikes, C. W. Budd, J. L. Head. T. E Hubby, W. H. Heer, J. T. Anthony, F. C. Riehl and E. D. Fulford; assisted by Frank Butler, shot in 65 Southern Cities. The first five broke the five-man squad world's record by a score of 488X500 at Palestine, Texas.



March 2, 1907 "American Field" courtesy of David Noreen. The Remington C.E.O. and F.E. were both referred to a "Trap Gun"

[Drew Hause]

THIS is a Pigeon Gun I do not know the dimensions
http://www.trapshooters.com/threads/...nogram.217816/

Anna Rieker's Monogram Pigeon gun delivered in March, 1904, with which she won the DuPont Cup in 1905.





"Sporting Life" June 11, 1910.
Fred Coleman and Miss Rieker Shoot a Sensational Live Bird Match. Pottsville, Pa., May 30
What is believed to be two world's records at live-bird shooting were made here today, when Fred Coleman, of Pottsville, the State champion at live birds, killed 100 straight from a 33 yards' rise, defeating Miss Anna M. Rieker, of Lancaster, who shot from a 26 yards' rise and finished with a score of 93 out of 100. Three of her birds dropped dead out of bounds. Both shot in wonderful form. Coleman killed every bird clean, a feat never performed before at 33 yards' rise. Miss Rieker is believed to be he first woman to shoot a match at 100 live birds. She killed her last 33 birds straight and established a world's record for a woman.

[Chris T.]

Another feature I have seen documented on live bird, trap guns or competition guns (Parkers) in general is thick comb. I kind of like the look and function of a thick comb, if you're paying attention they are pretty easy to spot. Also, most seem to ship with recoil pads.

I once had a CHE sold by Chuck Bruner, it belonged to a GAC at Live Birds champion and was well documented. It had the usual specs. 32", FxF, straight stock with high dimensions, no safety and a slivers pad. At the time he had a sibling to it also originally owned by the same gent that was a CHE 16 ga., 30", high flat rib, FxF, with a straight stock with high dimensions, no safety and silvers pad. Both very cool guns.