Doverham,Pleased to hear that you have aquired the Gallyon/A.A.Brown wildfowl gun.I am sure it will fully meet your expectations.
In answer to your question, competition live bird shooting in the U.K.was banned in 1922.Pigeon shooting for sport and pest control continues today with the Wood Pigeon [Ring dove] being the primary quary bird for the vast majority of sportsmen.
During fall and winter months 100,s of thousands of these birds arrive in the U.K. from Europe, augmenting the local population to a level when serious damage to crops result.Daily bags in the 100,s are often achieved.This is not new sport,for example records show that in 1891 a T.G.Sowerby and two brothers shot 455 pigeons over decoys in a morning.
After 1922 Pigeon guns made by the British gun trade focused on non competitive live pigeon shooting in conjunction with clay pigeon shooting.
The typical Pigeon gun of the post war era was a 12 G SXS double, with 30 inch full choke barrels with file cut rib, chambered for 2 3/4 shells. These guns were nitro proof for 1 1/4 ozs loads.Corresponding weight of the gun ranged from 71/2 -7 3/4 pounds. The most popular action was box lock none ejector,with double triggers ,Purdey under bolts,Greener cross bolt and Side clips.
Makers catalogues of the era often also advertised this gun as a Wildfowl or Pigeon gun.The wildfowl versions were chambered for 3 inch shells & nitro proof for 11/2 ounce loads.The corresponding weight of the gun was increased to between 8.0 &9.0 pounds.
Last edited by Roy Hebbes; 09/14/12 09:10 PM.
