|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
Forums10
Topics39,499
Posts562,117
Members14,587
| |
Most Online9,918
Jul 28th, 2025
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,250
Sidelock
|
OP
Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,250 |
What are they, and what to look for in 'em?
I need some hints for a bit of johnboat Americana to add.
I'm looking for a nice old one - any site where I may look.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 871 Likes: 3
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 871 Likes: 3 |
I know I shouldn't........I won't........arrggghhhhh.........
How about a nice M21 or M12 Heavy Duck?
M21s: the usual double-gun eval, though check out Mike's page. M12s: bore for pitting/choke alteration/pre-choke bulge from steel shot, take-down adjustment for sense of wear, function test for shell plate/extractor/ejector issues. A broken M12 firing pin will oftentimes still work reliably. Frame and barrel (barrel stamped 3") extension SNs should match. LOP on these models is 13 5/8" to end of rubber pad, IIRC.
Auctionarms, Gunsamerica, Galazans (might have the 21).
Sam
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 496 Likes: 12
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 496 Likes: 12 |
My list of SxS's:
Ithaca NID Super 10ga
Ithaca NID Mag 10 (to big for me)
LC Smith 2 7/8" 10ga
LC Smith Wild Fowl
LC Smith Long Range
Winchester 21 Duck
Super Fox
Sterlingworth Waterfowl
Parker 10ga
All classic Waterfowl guns
Last edited by Craig Larter; 12/23/06 02:04 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,720 Likes: 1357
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,720 Likes: 1357 |
Well, Thorny, I have a gun I can't figure out the option package on-A Tobin "Black Diamond" 12 guage, 30" tubes that measure full and full, and a non-automatic safety, which is different than all the others I've had about the place. Capped pistol grip, nom de rigor, for these guns, three luscious inches of drop, plain brown recoil pad (hey, not all of us can have a white line spacer to match our white cigarette holder!) with a splinter out front. Short length of pull, just right for those thick wool mackinaw coats you see in old time photos.
Is it a waterfowler? Why not? It could be a squirreler as well, for all I know.
After I bought it, I noticed the triggers were reverse of normal-the front fired the left tube. Why would one do this on a gun with full and full chokes?
I should add, not for sale at the moment-and thanks to John Mann, who assisted me in the find and purchase. I've repaired the old girl, refinished the wood, recut the checkering, and made her ready for, well, whatever. My intent is a sunny day "something completely different" trap gun, with low noise, low recoil, and low pressure Winchester loads. The larger part of my pair of Tobins, doubt anyone else can (or really, should) make that claim....
Best,
Ted
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,448 Likes: 278
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,448 Likes: 278 |
Ted, it sounds like a rare and valuable Tobin Live Pigeon Gun. Non auto safety and left firing first barrel is a serious clue. All you have to do now is write to the Tobins for a letter of provenance to avoid the critical skepticism of the "Nouveau Pigeon Gun Authorities" who don't believe that anyone ever ordered a gun for flyer shooting. Again, the "factory letter" will tell the tale and add value to your gun. Be sure to have a high quality oak frame ready for the letter when it comes.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 976
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 976 |
If this is really johnboat (old battered and poled thru the marsh, I assume) armament, I would think a Stevens 311 or similar in 2 3/4 or 3 inch.
Jim
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 743
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 743 |
How vintage do you want?
Winchester 97, Remington 11, ?
Bass Pro Shop has an old jon boat with a punt gun mounted on display near the indoor duck pond, with an appropriately attired manniken.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,945 Likes: 144
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,945 Likes: 144 |
You need to get that Sneider 4-bore single that Bill McPhail showed in the latest The Double Gun & single shot Journal.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,720 Likes: 1357
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,720 Likes: 1357 |
I'm pretty sure the "Tobins" got into work that made serious money, like wood stoves-they were Canadians, "eh".
Rare, you got right. Valuable, well, not in this lifetime. I should mention that a spare trigger about the homestead here righted the wrong of reversed firing, not for any good reason I could think of, save it seemed wrong.
Lets imagine that the early in the past century factory worker was in a hurry to eat his lunch, and simply reversed the triggers. The chokes were that way 'cause everybody ordered guns that way, since they were supposed to "shoot like a rifle". Frank Major Tobin was simply disinterested in building guns at this point, and didn't inspect it when it was finished, and the rod for the automatic safety was left rotated, so it didn't work.
A waterfowler is born. Names mostly left out to protect the innocent, now dead for almost a century.
Best,
Ted
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 55
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 55 |
Don't forget about the good old Remington Model 1900!
DeWayne
|
|
|
|
|
