couldn't wait

[charlie cleveland]

i think ive done crossed over into the dark side...i too love big and love small and even if they dont shoot i can hangem on the wall...all jokes aside there is a coupla bakers going pretty cheap on gunbroker rite now.... but i aint bid yet.... charlie

[Toothsmith]

All good stuff guys. Like that tall rib Mark. Can't wait to see your Baker post Charlie. I've been acumulating damascus and hammer guns since I got back from Japan in 93, before they got so trendy and everyone got so educated about them. Don't even go to gun shows anymore, can't use my favorite gun trading lines. "Damascus barrrels?!! Those aren't safe to shoot are they?" or "16 guage! Do they even make shells for that anymore?"

[Toothsmith]

Talking about timeless elegance, when I get a chance I'll shoot some photos of the 20 bore Powell and post them on the non Parker section. I don't think there is anything better looking but harder to make than a bar-in-wood gun, and a best grade in 20ga is the "holy grail" of british hammer guns.

[Roundsworth]

I am very fond of the 20, and agree, a bar-in-wood Best Grade would be great. For now, I am quite content with my 1929 vintage Trojan. It is a joy to carry when I walk 6 to 8 hours a day looking for grouse. John Puglisi has a few English SxSs in stock, but I never had the nerve to look at them. Temptation, you know!

[Toothsmith]

Mark, that's a beautiful Trojan, very high condition. What does it weigh? I love a light gun for hunting, my personal favorite is a 16 ga boxlock made in a small custom gunshop in pre-war Tokyo. Got it in Japan, had gun and hunting license there. It weighs 5 lb 8oz ! Lighter than the .410 double I bought last month. Its virtually unshootable on the range but great in the field, carries like a pool cue. Killed three pheasants in KS with it last weekend. You probably won't believe it but I bet you paid more for that Trojan than I paid for that Powell.