Couple years back I was attracted to a local ad for a W&C Scott hammergun. Finally found the gentleman; gun was wreck; open-air breech, action Naval-jellied to a faretheewell, sewer-pipe bores to my eye but sometimes they look worse than they are. It did retain delicacy of form and grace of proportion. I fell out of love instantly and bid the seller Good day. It turns up twice a year at the Nur Temple and Fire Co. shows; no one's buying. Unless they're awfully special, I prefer my wall-hangers at Cracker Barrel. "Decarbonized" steel and damascus require a very bland diet if they are to digest well but they're still "shooters" in a respectful, wary sort of once-a-year ceremonial sense. Only guns I have that I've never shot are two Ruger 1s in 6mm and a Savage bolt-action in .25-20. They are not wallhangers.
jack
