Guns that you turned your nose to but have changed your mind

[Rick Roemer]

I started with a Nitro Special in 12 gauge. And down the rabbit hole I went...

[Dean Romig]

The utility grade I started with when I was 13 was a 12 gauge Trojan. I freely admit I am, and have always been, a Parker snob. Oh I’ve had others over these many years and I can admire the beauty of other makes of shotguns, be they SXS’s, pumps or single barrel guns but I’ll never stray too far from my beloved Parkers and will likely add to my collection as time goes by.
I must say I have never actively looked for anything else.





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[bob weeman]

I now like guns that are no longer in original condition and have seen significant use but are mechanically sound. I particularly like guns customized within reason especially if it was done years ago. Allows me to pay a lower price, get a quality gun, and may even be more functional than when in original condition. Just bought a Lefever G grade where the stock has had wood nicely added to good dimensions, Also has 24 inch steel barrels choked modified and full that must not be original. Shoots well and with spreaders a good grouse gun. A very handy gun to me that so far I shoot well. And still regret not buying a very worn AH 10 gauge for 1800.00!

[Bill Murphy]

I'm a bit spoiled because my first real bird gun at 14 years old was a 28 gauge Parker. This thread has prompted me to write about guns down the rabbit hole, from Foxes to Purdeys and hundreds in between. Over the years, with five of my progeny taking up much of my income, I have been lucky to have had some friends who would pick up my "finds" in times of no money. I get to visit those guns fairly often.

[Larry the Gun Guy]

I wouldn't normally be in the same zip code with some of these guns, but the other day I found a few that looked like someone kept them in a dresser drawer for the last 75 years. Now maybe someone is going to tell me they've been redone, but if that's the case a real master did it. Growing up with a WWII guy guns were a tool and some of these utility guns served that purpose well to Craig's point.
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[Dean Romig]

Looks minty original to me!





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[Researcher]

Definitely redone. The pointed up checkering certainly is not original Nitro Special.

1924-5 Lefever Arms Co., Inc. folder.jpg

Original Nitro Special checkering was flat-topped like this --

137721 03.jpg

See Walter Snyder's article on the Nitro Special in The Double Gun Journal, Volume Thirty, Issue 1.

[B. Dudley]

Yup. That gun is restored. Not original. Case colors look good on the top and bottom, but are not right at all on the sides. And, as dave said, the checkering was never fully pointed up on those guns. They were flat topped with the lines cut to about half that depth. And they were cut very crudely. And the finish was lacquer. It is not uncommon to see the lacquer chipping around the edges of the checkering on higher condition original examples. The finish was never that nice.

Here is a super original example that just sold on GB.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/866836741

And another one for sale now.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/867565031

[Craig Larter]

Dave thanks I went back and re-read Walt's article, fascinating. I own a first year 410 and just love it for what it is. I find it interesting that Ithaca jobbers were not supportive of Ithaca bringing out a 410, but they did anyway in 1925. It seems the quality of the Nitro improved in the later years,
I have a good friend that purchased a Crescent 410, nice gun for what it is, I think a step up in finish to the Nitro Special.
These guns are a very interesting part of our gun making heritage that I completely overlooked. I kinda like them used but not abused meaning that they have served there intended purpose and were cared for by people that couldn't afford Parkers or Foxes but treasured them just the same.

[Steve Hodges]

The 20 Gauge Nitro Special that Brian referred to is my gun.