I remember the Quails Fargo. Stevens in slightly fancier clothes. Sort of like putting more makeup on an old hooker. And reinventing the wheel. There were short barreled, open choked versions of classic American doubles long before WWII. Some maybe before WWI. They aren't all that common, but I've seen a few Ithaca 20's--I think all Flues models--with 24" barrels and open chokes. Always figured the gun was ordered by someone either after quail or grouse and woodcock. And after the Quails Fargo, Browning came out with the Citori Upland Special with 24" barrels and a straight grip. For those who prefer snub-nosed OU's.
I have a Damascus 20ga by Wm. Sumners of Liverpool, 26"--no choke in either barrel. And it may have come that way from the maker, since neither barrel is marked "choke". My hunting friends call it my "area code"-choked gun . . . and I can still miss with it.
Last edited by L. Brown; 11/06/15 08:43 AM.
