Miller,
This gun was mail ordered to the owners home as well, but, came direct from Richland. List price for the "Deluxe" 707 (it was just more deluxe than the Spanish guns in the catalog, from what I can see) from Richland was $179.95 in 1968. The former owner never got around to using it, and when I removed it from the box, assembled it and shot it, it was the first time that had happened since it left the proof house in Gardone. Information about the Italian builder, is slim to non-existent. But, the catalog makes it clear that Mr. Sell was involved in the guns specifications and design.
It is a new gun. Wish I could find a half dozen more of them like this.
Peering down the barrels, one can clearly see the long, smooth forcing cones, and highly polished barrel walls that Mr. Sell thought so much of. I remain unconvinced that there is some magic formula for better patterns, having seen old American repeaters with bores like a gas pipe throw beautiful patterns, but, I can't say I've seen evidence that long forcing cones, three inch chambers, and backbored tubes hurt anything, either.
I've winged late season pheasants, in the cold, with 12s, 16s and 20s, and believe that having a reliable dog to help you find them is more important than what gauge gun you are using that day.
I like straight stocks, but, will admit, that when it is cold, and I am forced to wear a leather glove on my trigger hand, a long, open pistol grip seems to aid my shooting.
I look forward to giving this one a go at roosters this fall.
Romantic notions of using some old American 20 gauge double for late season roosters with modern ammunition give me the feeling that I need to hang onto my wallet with both hands.
Best,
Ted
