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Forums10
Topics39,503
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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,064
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,064 |
For beauty of lines and engraving top grade Elsies; for looks combined with toughness, Foxes. I no longer own one of either and am left in old age with a closet full of Nitro Specials, Miroku s/s, a Victor Sarasqueta 20 ga. Holland and Holland ripoff imported by Stoeger in the early 50's. Just my opinion. I once missed the chance to buy a 12 bore Monogram grade Elsie in nearly mint condition for $350. Chops
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 638
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 638 |
USMC Retired
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,722 Likes: 1357
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,722 Likes: 1357 |
Chops, the Nitros and the Miroku won't likely need a gunsmith in the time you've got left to shoot them.
I'd take either over an LC Smith that had cracks behind the lockplates, a Parker with a bolt through the head of the stock, or, a model 21 with loose lug/and or ribs.
Noticed plenty of the above over the years. Graded Bakers with normal stock dimensions get my vote.
Best,
Ted
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 19
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 19 |
While I'm sure I'm not qualified to pass judgement on the upper end of American gun makers, I'll post my impression.
Of relatively few top grades of them that I've seen and handled, I'm of the belief that Galazan is among the best with his various second generation Winchesters, Fox, and now the Parkers.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,064
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,064 |
Ted, really a good laugh! I open the closet door sometimes and fondle the guns even though all my old hunting pals have crossed over. Still, after all these years, in love with my good wife and side by sides (even though I love 97's, M-17, and the ugly gun marked Ranger). Had a good laugh tonight at your comment. By the way, isn't that an elegant Elsie? Chops
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,228 Likes: 60
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,228 Likes: 60 |
Ruger Gold Label. Mine has been used hard every season since it bought it. It is the 365th gun made. I only wish it had double triggers.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,228 Likes: 60
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,228 Likes: 60 |
Ruger Gold Label. Mine has been used hard every season since I bought it. It is the 365th gun made. I only wish it had double triggers.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164 Likes: 3
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164 Likes: 3 |
...far an away the best American SXS is available right now (or a few year wait), the A.Galazan Round Body Full Sidelock SxS --  Are we talking shotguns or knicknacks? Knowing I'll be in the minority here, I find those guns just plain ugly. Plus at the prices they'd sell for, I'm guessing you're not likely to find one being regularly carried by someone in the field. Form follows function; ergo, that which functions best in the role for which it was intended is most beautiful.
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. - Albert Einstein
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,722 Likes: 1357
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,722 Likes: 1357 |
I think an Elsie is an acquired taste, chops. None for me, thanks. I've been soured by a couple that friends own, that go boom when they shouldn't, and don't go boom, when they should.
I've got a scar on my thumb from a 97, I was just a kid in a duckblind with a borrowed gun, and it bit me.
Good women are a lot tougher to find than good guns. I imported mine. Six good years on April 29th.
Let me know when your M17 needs a new home-I run a model 17 orphanage, you know.
Best,
Ted
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 56 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 56 Likes: 8 |
That Elsie is a beautiful gun in my opinion. Fantastic game scene and scroll. And the layout/composition of the engraving enhances the graceful lines of a beautiful classic American double.
But I'll agree with Ted, and all things considered give me a graded Baker any day. Although a nice high grade Lefever with sculpted sideplates sure makes my heart thump too!
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