Patterning

[Drew Hause]

Crosby was certainly one of the turn-of-the-century "Top Guns"; along with Fred Gilbert, J.A.R. Elliot and Rolla Heikes.
He was a representative for Baker Gun & Forging from at least 1897 until 1899, twice winning the “E.C.” Target Championship of America, first with a “$30 Baker Hammerless” B grade, then with a Paragon. He won the “Review Cup” from J.A.R. Elliott in October 1899 killing 98/100 live birds.
In 1900 he won the Sportsmen’s Association Championship Trophy held on the Madison Square Garden roof under the auspices of the Sportsmen's show March 1-17.

After the first GAH at Targets in June he changed to a L.C. Smith and was part of, and High Gun, in the victorious American team in the June 1901 Anglo-American Clay Bird Match.

In 1904, Crosby ordered through Capt. duBray a 20g VH, 30” barrels with F/F chokes, no safety, LOP-14”, DAC-1 3/8”, DAH- 2 1/4”, Pitch-2 3/4’, Weight- 6lb-10oz., Chambers- 2 7/8”, RH trigger- 3 1/2lb, LH trigger- 4lb.
The Parker records include the notation “Send Bill - Compliments of Parker Brothers”. (Courtesy of Daryl Corona)
He continued to compete with his Smith, and the gun may have been for Mrs. Crosby.

At the Philadelphia Eastern Handicap July, 1906 he was using a Parker with 32” barrels.

Lots more here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...c/edit?tab=t.0

[Double Lab]

In 1904, Crosby ordered through Capt. duBray a 20g VH, 30” barrels with F/F chokes, no safety, LOP-14”, DAC-1 3/8”, DAH- 2 1/4”, Pitch-2 3/4’, Weight- 6lb-10oz., Chambers- 2 7/8”, RH trigger- 3 1/2lb, LH trigger- 4lb.
The Parker records include the notation “Send Bill - Compliments of Parker Brothers”. (Courtesy of Daryl Corona)

I still have this gun and if the gun was for Mrs. Crosby she was built like me () because if I was ever to have a gun custom made for me I would use these measurements. It's one of those guns I can just pick up break targets with.

Thanks for the reminder Drew.

[Drew Hause]

I haven't found much on Mrs. Crosby, but she did compete. The first Ladies Amateur National Championship was at the 1916 GAH in St. Louis, won by Mrs. D.J. Dalton; Miss Harriett Hammond 2nd
https://digital.la84.org/digital/col...oll17/id/22498
Day 2 Ladies Special Event
Mrs L.G. Vogel
Mrs H. Almert
Miss Harriett D. Hammond
Miss L. Meusel
Mrs D.J. Dalton
Mrs. F.A. Johnson
Mrs C. Edmiston
Mrs H.L. Patter
Mrs J.L. Hooper
Mrs W.R. Crosby
Mrs D.B. Foster
Miss E. Wettleaf
Mrs A. Killam

BTW she was one of the wives to accompany (keep an eye on ) her husband to the 1901 Anglo-American match

American Team Departs May 26
The team will consist of the following shots: Capt. Thos. Marshall, R.O. Heikes, W.R. Crosby. C.W. Budd. J.S. Fanning, J.A.R. Elliott, F. Gilbert. F.S. Parmelee, C.M. Powers, Edward Banks, E.H. Tripp, Richard Merrill, and B. Le Roy Woodard.
Others with the team are: Capt. A.W. Money, Emil Werk, D.F. Pride, D. Erhardt, Fred. Elliott, and Frank Harrison.
The ladies of the party are Mrs. Banks, Mrs. Crosby, Mrs. Tripp, Miss Werk and others.

[Double Lab]

Wow, a bunch of heavy hitters there. Very cool Drew, thanks.

[Drew Hause]

And most of them shot Parkers
Marshall and Merrill gave up their Cashmores and shot Parkers, as did Le Roy and Heikes who used Remington doubles at the 1901 GAH at Live Birds as Remington professionals.
Parmelee used a Parker at the 1900 GAH, but had previously also been a Remington professional.
Guns used: Capt. Thos. Marshall - Parker, R.O. Heikes - Parker, W.R. Crosby - Smith., C.W. Budd – Parker, J.S. Fanning - Smith, J.A.R. Elliott - Winchester Repeater, Fred. Gilbert – Parker, F.S. Parmelee - Parker, C.M. Powers - Parker, Edward Banks - Winchester Repeater, E.H. Tripp - Parker, Richard Merrill - Parker, and B. Le Roy Woodard - Parker.

It seems likely there was some form of inducement from Parker Bros.

More here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...w/edit?tab=t.0

[Double Lab]

Originally Posted by Drew Hause

And most of them shot Parkers
Marshall and Merrill gave up their Cashmores and shot Parkers, as did Le Roy and Heikes who used Remington doubles at the 1901 GAH at Live Birds as Remington professionals.
Parmelee used a Parker at the 1900 GAH, but had previously also been a Remington professional.
Guns used: Capt. Thos. Marshall - Parker, R.O. Heikes - Parker, W.R. Crosby - Smith., C.W. Budd – Parker, J.S. Fanning - Smith, J.A.R. Elliott - Winchester Repeater, Fred. Gilbert – Parker, F.S. Parmelee - Parker, C.M. Powers - Parker, Edward Banks - Winchester Repeater, E.H. Tripp - Parker, Richard Merrill - Parker, and B. Le Roy Woodard - Parker.

It seems likely there was some form of inducement from Parker Bros.

More here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...w/edit?tab=t.0

It's not much different than today's top shooters. Perazzi, Kreighoff, Beretta just to name a few of the guns that sponsor them only today's shooters are shooting O/U's. To me the biggest difference is the crowds they drew back then, similar to our sporting events today. The promotional incentive hasn't changed.

[Steiner]

Originally Posted by Drew Hause

I haven't found much on Mrs. Crosby, but she did compete. The first Ladies Amateur National Championship was at the 1916 GAH in St. Louis, won by Mrs. D.J. Dalton; Miss Harriett Hammond 2nd
https://digital.la84.org/digital/col...oll17/id/22498
Day 2 Ladies Special Event
Mrs L.G. Vogel
Mrs H. Almert
Miss Harriett D. Hammond
Miss L. Meusel
Mrs D.J. Dalton
Mrs. F.A. Johnson
Mrs C. Edmiston
Mrs H.L. Patter
Mrs J.L. Hooper
Mrs W.R. Crosby
Mrs D.B. Foster
Miss E. Wettleaf
Mrs A. Killam

BTW she was one of the wives to accompany (keep an eye on ) her husband to the 1901 Anglo-American match

American Team Departs May 26
The team will consist of the following shots: Capt. Thos. Marshall, R.O. Heikes, W.R. Crosby. C.W. Budd. J.S. Fanning, J.A.R. Elliott, F. Gilbert. F.S. Parmelee, C.M. Powers, Edward Banks, E.H. Tripp, Richard Merrill, and B. Le Roy Woodard.
Others with the team are: Capt. A.W. Money, Emil Werk, D.F. Pride, D. Erhardt, Fred. Elliott, and Frank Harrison.
The ladies of the party are Mrs. Banks, Mrs. Crosby, Mrs. Tripp, Miss Werk and others.

I have a straight grip, C Grade 12 gauge gun that was ordered for Capt A. W. Money by his son. He ordered an identical gun for himself.

[Drew Hause]

Scroll down about 1/2 way here for a bit about "Blue Rock"
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...Y/edit?tab=t.0

He purchased a CH Parker SN 87238 in 1897 which he returned for his discount purchase price of $75 in Dec. 1898.
He later had two Parker pigeon guns stolen 7-1901; one was SN 90,635

Noel Money was 2nd at the 1st GAH at Live Birds in 1893, and prior to the 1895 GAH ordered a $400 AAH Parker SN 81122

Harold was a Winchester Rep and used a 1897