For Bro. Tom
A Grade 3E full page ad from a 1903 edition of
Recreation In 1903 SAC made their full pistol grip (S shaped knob) standard on the Grade 3 gun. Prior to 1903 the ball grip was standard on a Grade 3 gun; whereas previously, the Grade A gun had been the lowest grade shipped standard with their full pistol grip.
The only SAC gun Ive definitively able to date is this Grade 3 factory presentation gun. The inscription in the small gold shield reads Presented by Syracuse Arms Co. Won by H.D. Kirkover June 1900.
This gun retained very little original finish and plain wood, so wasnt much to look at; but had good dimensions and easily took a limit of doves the only time I took it afield.
H.D. Kirkover was a well known competitor from Buffalo then Fredonia, N.Y. I believe he was the Secy. of the Audubon Park Gun Club in Buffalo
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/46664/rec/5In 1897 Kirkover ordered a straight grip BH Parker with 30" barrels.
June 19, 1898 he was listed as a paid Professional Representative but I couldn't find the company; possibly Parker
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/43905/rec/30January 28, 1898 high gun at Hamilton, Ontario and living in Fredonia, N.Y.
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/44432/rec/211898 using a Parker
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/44346/rec/22 Competed at the 1899 GAH
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/43581/rec/27Using a Parker with U.M.C. Trap shells, 1 1/4 oz. with 3 1/2 Dr.Eq. DuPont Bulk
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/43584/rec/27 Participated in the March 1900 Madison Square Garden rooftop match
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/43481/rec/41 Competed at the 1900 GAH
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/43039/rec/44Again with a Parker using Winchester Leader shells
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/42953/rec/45 He was the high gun at the Audubon Club Decoration Day shoot in 1900 and although not mentioned in the
Sporting Life report, could have been awarded the gun then
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/42974/rec/47He did compete at the New York State shoot June 1900, representing the Buffalo Audubon Club, but I didn't find him listed as winning any merchandise
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/43073https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/43076 And as to the question of original condition and the looks of low end SAC guns, please consider this near new Grade O gun owned by one of our members
And my near new Grade OO gun and doves
