Agree w/gunman & eightbore; not anywhere close to a dedicated trap gun. Wholey a dif animal. I'm inclined to think of them more in terms of a 'stalking shotgun'; that would include surprising & straffing a few ducks [think punt gun] or a sitting hare or even a fox caught off guard. More something light to carry about the estate on an outing. In the smaller gauges, think 'garden gun' for dispatching bothersome birds or bunnies from the immediate area surrounding the estate. On this side of the pond a better quality S.B. game gun's quarry would more likely have been a bunny that stopped for a moment or a squirrel on a convenient limb or a grouse for that matter. Not saying that one cannot take a bird on the wing, rather that they were intended for the rough and targets of opportunity, furry or feathered.
I have a v.g. condition Hopkins & Allen take-down damascus 12 that would surely provide the shooter a good thump given the opportunity. It is hardly fancy, tho well enough made [edit: for it's intended purpose]. I see it more as an intended farm gun or as Thorny used to say, 'leaned behind the kitchen door' for quick access when needed, for fending off the occasional skunk or fruit stealing possum or blasting a tree'd raccoon from his last stand.
FWIW, lots of small gauge singles were sold in S.A. & nearly any hardware store in outlying towns will have a box or so of 24, 28 & 32 gauge ammunition on the shelf.
addendum: You bring outright laughter, Joe. Lovely gun, I'm sure Amarillo Mike is comfortable knowing you are there for the third shot backup, JIC its needed;-)Snow's a bit early this year, ain't it?
Last edited by tw; 10/30/11 11:30 PM. Reason: addendum
