doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Game counter???

OK I know what it is used for but there is one on EBAY for over $700, what is with these things and why so much money for one?
I remember seeing them listed at places years ago and do not remember them being that much money.
Geez, it's not an I-PAD!

It's the "in" thing to have. No one shoots that much game anymore. It's just a high end antique piece of hunting gear. They've always brought very good money at the British auctions.

Like many shooting related accoutrements, game counters are collectable by those with an interest in the sport here - and deep enough pockets!

I just had a look at Holt's archives and for genuine antique counters by Dixon or Hawksley a price of �500 to �800 has been usual.

On one of the shoots I attend the owner has a penchant for gun position finders. They also go for large sums to collectors such as him.

Tim

These are better known as the "Norfolk Liar".

The bird boys in Argentina use grocery counters to keep up with the dove count. Well used, but not antiques by any means!...Geo

I still have my late father's Harris tweed Norfolk jacket and breeks.
In the breast pocket resides the 1-8 ivory peg set in a leather case. Very nice memento of Dad.
Is that the position finder?

Yes

On commercial driven shoots a "game counter" isn't used to record the number of birds an individual Gun might drop so much as the number of shots fired by the entire group of Guns.

There will be a previously agreed shots to kill ratio, and an elected number of birds declared for the day. If the group are less than stellar shots, the host or his assistant will be recording the number of shots they fire. Lets say the bag is set at 250 and the ratio 4:1. After 1000 shots it's "Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen".

IMO the use of a Norfolk Liar to record an individuals numbers is pretty fraught anyway; it takes no account of those pricked birds that sail on past the Gun line that are subsequently brought to hand by the picking up team. I've rarely (if ever?) seen one used for a single Gun.

Eug

I remember the first time I saw one, and thought "Hey that's neat. I'd like to have one of those." When I went looking and found how much they sell for I gave up on that idea right quick.

Jeff's Outfitters sells a high quality " Norfolk Liar " reproduction ...but for $250. It is a Hawksley repro.....made in India he told me but well made ....I use it ( wear it ) only when shooting with the Vintagers...the real old ones are, as already stated, very expensive...I have seen ones suspiciously like mine on eBay saying its a Hawkley...going for over $500. It could be an original but I doubt it. The print on the silver side is an identical font as the originals... Two sided, one silver the other brass...with the four different game id's...although their are several that are the shape , but a bit different. Aspreys had one in tubular shape but over $1000. The repro here is a good representation, perfect in fact, if you are looking for one...but are not a collector.