"Not much to report on our most recent dove season."
Maybe not Stan but I'd swap places had it been possible to do so!
For whatever it's worth, the two invites I received here in Anderson were shoots conducted 2-3 days after everyone had enjoyed a great shoot and limited out in a hour. During my visits we managed a limit only after everyone put their birds in one pile! BUT we hunters are always looking to make every hunt interesting and fun; and even though I bagged only ONE bird last time out, it was a most memorable shoot. It was memorable because I shot that bird with a 1901-02 vintage Baltimore Arms Company C Grade. That rare gun, when received, had a ruined set of barrels. I was fortunate to acquire a set of 32" steel barrels (A Grade) from Daryl, then sent the barrels and gun to Buck Hamlin to be fitted. Buck said he'd never be able to fit them where they'd look correct, so sent the gun back. Months later I decided that since I'd already paid for the barrels and the gun; and both were useless as things presently stood, I'd fit them myself or ruin the gun tying. So I got out my files and started work. Buck was correct is that the final fit isn't perfect; but the barrels do fit flat on the water table, flush against the breech face, and the opening lever is slightly right of center. I did this several years ago but, for lack of opportunity, had never test fired the piece. The gun functioned flawlessly on this shoot where I also confirmed that both firing pins were striking primers dead center, and at the correct depth. To add to the fun the shells used were 1950's era Peters paper shells, which also worked perfectly. If I live long enough to finish the cosmetic touches I have planned for this gun it will be a very pretty shooter.
