I have damaged two guns on hunting trips. Both happened in Maine. One was a near parfect Browning Lightning 20-ga. I tripped on a rock and smashed the forend and split it wide open. The other was my A & S 28-ga., also near perfect. I nocked the forend loose whild wipeing the barrels off after the days hunt and it droped to the floor. My foot cushioned the fall before the crash but I still managed to split the edge of the semi beavertail forend. Not really hunting but atleast it happened on a hunting trip. Both guns were repaired and are nearly undetectable. While I was quite bummed out at the time I do not regret using them as the thrill of using fine guns for hunting requires using them and assuming the possible risk of damage. These guns now have a story and battle scars that most he talk so reverantly about when talking about old Foxes and Lefevers and the like. You can never really appreciate a fine gun until you take it into the field and use it. Don't be afraid to scratch a gun. The gunsmiths need the work. BTW I am leaving for Maine again tomorrow and the A & S is comming with me.
Bill G.
