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2 members (gunman, Tidbit824),
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robots. |
Key:
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Forums10
Topics39,502
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Most Online9,918 Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 15
Boxlock
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OP
Boxlock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 15 |
Just wondered how many of you purchase/collect doubles just because you are attracted to them but know they can't be shot due to pits, barrel wall thickness, loose barrels etc. Basically relegated to wall hanger status. In short do you only buy those that you can safely shoot?
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881 |
I think the only shotgun I ever bought and never shot was a little 20 gauge featherweight Kirkwood. I don't remember what the barrel walls are but even in nice shape not very thick. I was more worried what would happen to such a fine gun, very few were made in 20 gauge. I just felt there was too much history at stake to take any chance with it. 
MP Sadly Deceased as of 2/17/2014
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881 |
Ive also not shot this rifle, a Wundhammer that belonged to Townsend Whelen. It has a cracked stock, you can see the cracks in the middle, and I've yet to decided if I should fix it or not. 
MP Sadly Deceased as of 2/17/2014
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,812
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,812 |
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
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,945 Likes: 144
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,945 Likes: 144 |
I have several guns that I don't shoot that have terrible stock dimensions but I bought because I wanted an example of this or that. I've only got two guns I wouldn't put to my shoulder and shoot -- my Fox Gun Co. , Balto., MD., U.S.A. and a 28-gauge No. 1 Special Flues model Ithaca with badly pitted barrels. I bought the Ithaca because a 30-inch barrel 28-gauge looked so cool.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,812
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,812 |
I love the stock on that '03 and would like to own something that belonged to Whelen. I have one of his books that belonged to a relative (his not mine).
jack
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,109 Likes: 78
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,109 Likes: 78 |
No. I don't even want to look at a gun I can't shoot. Why waste the space?
"The price of good shotgunnery is constant practice" - Fred Kimble
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,462 Likes: 89
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,462 Likes: 89 |
I'll leave them for Cracker Barrel.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 6,523 Likes: 162
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 6,523 Likes: 162 |
A few years ago I remodeled my kitchen in antique fashion and bought two hammer guns that could never be fired because of their poor condition, but they look great hanging on the wall. Everyone has compliments about them. Usually- "Those are great" from the men and "Those are disgusting", from the antis. Hmmmm.......Good luck.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,038
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,038 |
If I can't make it a safe shooter, I leave it for someone else.
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