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1 members (oskar),
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Forums10
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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 71
Member
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OP
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 71 |
About using an A 1 Special as it should be used, I bought two dozen of the last of Cliff Arvan's whistler and bluebill decoys in the 60s at a little gunshop on Yonge Street in Toronto for $3.50 apiece.
I gave a dozen to my brother who put them away in the attic where they still are, and he rolls his eyes as I use them for what they were made for, even at current collector value of $1,000 apiece.
We may look at them and die or use them and die. With the fun of it gone, my brother no longer hunts. The inheritor of the A 1 Special honors his uncle. Quill's notice of it here warms my heart. Thanks King and well put Sir!
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,893 Likes: 651
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,893 Likes: 651 |
King
I use a set of Ward Brother decoys that would sell for near 100K, at the right auction. Not to brag and I am by no means that rich, but I found them at the dump. Had several of them repainted and signed by Steve and Lem before they died. They could tell me the exact year when they were made because they altered the tail for a short time and went back to the original design later.
I have had more than one collectors or experts say that my decoys looked just like real Ward Brother decoys from the blind. They all get a real funny look when I tell them that the reason that they look like them is that they are real. Hod one fellow reach for his wallet on the spot. Sad he was when I told him that they were not for sale. We are very gentle with them and never shoot low. But when you get right down to it they were meant to be used and I am doing that. I never heard of a virgin decoy bringing a premium. Besides the Black Ducks just love them.
Ward Brothers were two barbers from Crisfield Maryland, who carved decoys in their shop, when it was slow. They figured that they got $18.00-20.00 a dozen for these decoys. They said they had sold some for less than $10.00 a dozen when times were hard.
I found half a pickup load of old wooden decoys at the dump. Someone had cleaned out a garage or attic and just hauled them off to the dump. Picked them up for the weights. Only later, at home, did I figure out what they were when washing them off with a hose. Wife bitching about bringing home more junk than I left with. Big grin on my face when I told her that they were worth almost as much as our house back then. Bigger grin when she finally learned that I was not kidding. Next door neighbor offered to buy them for $10,000.00 on the spot. Wife BITCHING a lot when I turned him down. I do not miss that exwife or her bitching and I still have the decoys to enjoy.
Why sell something that you enjoy, just for money that will soon be gone? Money helps but life is not about money. It is about enjoying life.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 845
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 845 |
Shotguns in Saddle=Scabbards'A very sad situation when the Horse stumbles,is moving too fast passing too close to trees, other horses,etc..... I have had to Restock many 'Quail-Guns'Repair even more by my 'Well Known Technicana Method'. Has anybody ever built a Steel Gun Scabbard? maybe along the lines of a Sword Type.Wouldnt that give the "Gun-Scratcher's a hellofa Canvas to ply their artistic endeavours to! 28" of Barry Lee Hands's'Large Scroll'on one side,maybe a'kind of Lassel Ripley Field scene on the other? Would it be best made of steel that would look "Nice Colour-Casehardened? Or...Stainless? leave the Background 'Blacked in' Lynton McKenzie did several jobs with me , and the Stainless looked 'Fabulous when finished that way.These are just 'Museings' as I sit and watch the smoke curling up to the ceiling from the 115yr old French Walnut, Oil-Soaked stock,Its on Its 4th paper towel in the last 2hrs, and still its dripping'That Wonderful British Gunshop Aroma' I've been asked 'many times'Would'nt it be Luverly ifit could be made into, say a perfume? after-shave? or a Beard-Sprinkle? Just some Thoughts from the 'Basement Workshop'....Who will be the next Caretaker of the Parker A1spl 12b Ordered for Czar Nicholas II...CC
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,609 Likes: 14
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,609 Likes: 14 |
That, sir, is one pilgrimage I do not intend to miss. Among a field of exceptionally nice L C Smiths it is, so far, only one of three Parkers to be put up for auction.
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