Collecting focus/interests, how about you?

[Trap3]

American Single Barrel Trap Guns and memorabilia relating to the history of the sport...

Trap3

[Bill Murphy]

I tried to reply to this post, Craig, but my computer went on overload and started smoking. I think Victor has his eye on Steve Barnett's minty Bernard hammer gun, a bargain at not too far north of $20,000.

[Phil Yearout]

When I joined my wife's family the only gun I owned was my father's Savage auto in 16ga. I took a degree of ribbing about shooting that "girl's gun". When later on I became interested in acquiring a side by side double shotgun I made sure it was a 16 gauge, just to puzzle my bros-in-law (who like to empty their 12 gauge autos at anything that flies); they couldn't understand why anyone would want a little pea shooter like that with only two shots in it!

I don't call my meager stable of guns a collection; more of an accumulation. There are two twelves (one a trap gun), a couple 20's, and even a little sxs .410. But there are five 16's, and finding a 16ga gun for sale - regardless of make - is what makes my heart flutter.

[C.O.B.]

I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm a collector. I shoot what I have but lean more to the small bores with straight stocks for my upland pursuits. I love a nice svelte 20 or 28. I haven't hunted with a 12 in a long time but recently used a 12ga hammer gun on a quail hunt with 2 inch shells and am considering a British Game Gun just for fun. I like the long barreled 12's for sporting clays but at 4 there are two to many. The Fox bug has bitten me and like Daryl I to am looking for that graded (C or better) small bore.

It's been a long road from Belgium Browning A5's and Winchester M12's to get to Parker, Fox and English guns but it's been a fun trip and well worth it.

I won't get into the rifles as they are my other Achilles heel especially Pre64 M70's and custom guns.

[Hixie]

New member here...first time posting and thought this would be as good a place to jump in as any. I've been around parkers all my life because my father collected them. I never actually owned my own but hunted with them regularly, sometimes without my father even knowing. About a year ago I became an owner/collector when my father passed away and left two (of his six) GHs to me. Both are 12 ga, 1 frame, 26 inch Damascus barrels.

One is a family heirloom that was originally my grandfather's. His name was Edwin Hicks and he left it (in a round-about way) to my father who was also Edwin Hicks. Now I have it, my name is Edwin Hicks, and I hope to leave it to my son, you guessed it...Edwin Hicks.

Anyway, the other GH is a resurrection project that my father started and I finished. Dad was a dyed in the wool grouse and woodcock hunter and he favored the shorter barrels and open chokes while hunting over his English Setters.

I consider myself an upland bird hunter as well so my interest is in Parkers that are suited for that, and I like the simple elegance of the G grade. To expand my collection, I would love to acquire a 20 ga CH (who wouldn't?) but I may be priced out of that market. I would settle for a DH though.

[Spin Drift]

Lets see I collect what strikes my fancy. At the moment it is 16ga's with odd length barrels that are factory original and grade 4's. Um I forgot 20's with long tubes and factory no safety guns and hammer guns in all grades but I need 5 and 6 to be complete. Almost bought the 5 in Vegas but couldn't come to terms on price. All Parker all the time!

[Spin Drift]

Also forgot the bug to own the competition guns. Now have SBT C 32, Double Trap CHE 32 and Skeet VHE 26. Have to get a Gr 4 in Skeet to finish that sub collection out.

[6pt-Sika]

Hmmm seem to have an abundance of 10's all EH or G2 . Plenty 12's all V or G a decent old GH 16 and my little 20 VHE . There was a time not to long ago when I really really wanted an 8 bit that's passed now . I suppose I'd like to add an EH with factory original to the gun barrels that are 28" or less . Also a GH or VH 16 and last but most certainly not least a GH or VH 28 . And bear in mind what I'd like to acquire I also wish to use . I wouldn't mind a DH 10 preferably #2 frame with factory uncut 30" barrels as well but that's not in my priority list shall we say .

[C.O.B.]

Originally Posted by Michael Moffa

Have to get a Gr 4 in Skeet to finish that sub collection out.

Graded skeet guns are hard to come by. I had a DHE vent rib 12 at one time but that's the highest grade I ever got.

[Daniel G Rainey]

It as become kind of a game. A gun must fit me and the the bird to be shot with it. Many Parkers, those with a drop at the heal of 3 inches are more and length of pull less than 14 1/4 will not work. The older we get the more important gun fit is. The gun then must be choked for the birds to be hunted and size frame and weight should fit the job. My dove gun is a 12 DH 2 frame 28 barrels choked cly. and improved. For walked up pheasants It is 12PH 1 1/2 frame 28 barrels choked improved and mod. weights 7. For prairie grouse it is 16 GH 1 frame steel 28 inch barrels choked improved and full weights 6 1/2. It is also used for quail. I have a 12PH 1 frame with 30 inch barrels choked mod. and full weights 7 1/4 for pheasants when needed. While in Montana bird hunting this fall a 10 GH with 32 inch barrels found me. It is to become my turkey gun. I prefer damasus over steel barrels and the gun must look good to my eyes and fit my pocketbook.