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Posted By: CBL1 Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/13/10 10:25 AM
Hello all. Given the expert knowledge on here, I thought forum members may be interested to see some pictures of my first double-eight gauge, born of four years of searching, learning and hard saving! I am delighted and looking forward to using this actively on the marshes and foreshores on the UK as soon as I possibly can. Thanks to Dig for his help on this.

The pictures don't do it justice, but the eight is by Edward Paton of Perth (44 George St and "Maker to the Prince Consort"), is a bar action hammergun with non-rebounding hammers, Jones underlever, 32 inch Damascus barrels (original) and est. manufacture between 1875 and 1885 (I think the earlier of the dates given its hammers). The gun weighs 12lbs, so certainly not overly heavy but swingable to the shoulder, 3 1/4 chambers, London nitro-proofed and barrel thicknesses/measurements more than adequate. As perhaps expected of its age, it has only cylinder barrels, but using plastic wads carefully in my homeloads should allow me to emulate 1/4 to 1/2 choke.

The Paton has been well looked after with little wear, has a decent amount of original colour remaining throughout, and chambers/barrels are in excellent condition with no pitting/ring bulging. Locks are in good condition and the st-hand stock retains its original metal butt plate, still with some colour to it. Now to start using her as intended - likely with 2oz loads to begin with.

Any thoughts/owners of Patons out there by the way?









Posted By: PeteM Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/13/10 10:37 AM
Edward Paton was born in 1819 in Dublin, Ireland. In 1843 he took over the business of Robert Ancell of 44 George Street, Perth, this business had been founded in 1833.

Edward married in about 1846, the name of his wife is unknown. They had a son in 1847, Edward L Paton (Edward II) (b.1847 in Malta, and a daughter, Emma (b.1849 in England and notably not in Scotland!). No other children have been traced. It seems likely that Edward (I)'s wife died soon after 1949.

Reportedly, in 1854 Edward (I) made Charles Frederick Walsh a partner in the business and the firm became Paton & Walsh. This has not been confirmed, but on 12 September 1856 Paton & Walsh patented a type of rifling for a winged or ribbed bullet. On 12 December 1856 they patented an apparatus for charging and capping the nipples of firearms, this consisted of a metal tube containing another metal tube with a needle actuated by a spring. It injected powder into the touch-hole after a miss-fire.

Reportedly, Walsh left the partnership in 1858 and the firm again traded as Edward Paton.

In the 1861 census Edward (I) was recorded at an unspecified address in Perth with Edward (II) and Emma. At the time he employed 7 men and 2 boys. The firm became known for their conversions of muzzle-loaders to breech-loaders.

In about 1865, if not before, in addition to the main shop at 44 George Street, Perth, Edward opened a branch at Highland Club Buildings, Inverness. How long this branch remained open is not known.

In about 1870, Edward (I) was appointed Gunmaker to His Royal Highness The Prince Consort.

By 1870 the firm had been re-named Edward Paton & Son; it seems that Edward (II), ran the Inverness business while Edward (I) moved to London to open a new shop at 108 Mount Street, Grosvenor Square. At this time the firm finished guns for Boss & Co. This London shop may later have been managed by W H Watts, formerly a gunmaker in Winchester, Hampshire, and later a gunmaker at 54a Marshall Street, London. In the 1871 census Edward (II) was recorded in Inverness, he described himself as a master gun maker employing 6 men and 3 boys.

In the 1881 census Edward (II)'s address was given as 13 Athole Street, Perth. By this time he was married to Mary (b.1855) and their children were, Edward L (Edward (III) (b.1873), Mary E (b.1875), Robert M (b.1876), George S (b.1878), and Harry A (b.1879). All were born in Perth. The same census records Edward (I) as a widower living at 10 Argyle Road, Ealing, London. He described himself as a gunmaker employing 7 men and 3 boys (presumably one of the men was employed in London and the remainder and the boys were a duplication of the employees in Scotland).

In 1882 in Inverness, the firm opened a branch at 37 Church Street (one report states 38 Church Street). In about 1886 the Church Street branch moved to High Street (no number stated), Inverness.

The London gunmaker, Stephen Grant, was recorded in about 1883 at 39 High Street, Inverness. This branch of the firm was reportedly managed in the late 1880s by Richard Henry Grant who, in 1889 would have been only 17 years old. The branch probably closed in about 1890. It would appear that either at the same time or shortly after the branch was established, Stephen Grant and James Woodward formed the Grant & Woodward shooting agency. In doing this Grant & Woodward would have been in direct competition with Edward Paton, this would not have pleased the Patons.

In 1884 in London, Edward Paton's shooting agency and gun making business moved to 99 Mount Street. In 1885 they moved to 88 St James's Street.

In 1890 David Crockart of Perth bought Edward Paton's business at 44 George Street, Inverness. The Inverness branch appears to have closed at this time.

In the 1891 census Edward (I) was recorded as an estate agent (not retired estate agent) aged 72, he was living in lodgings. There appears to be no census or other record of Edward (II) or his wife, Mary, in Scotland or elsewhere.

It would seem that Edward (I) retired or died in the 1890s or early in the 1900s, possibly in 1902 because in that year the business moved to 35a St James's Place, and an additional office was recorded at 5 St James's Place. It seems that Robert Michael Paton took over the business. In 1902 Stephen Woodward retired, at some time he had taken over from Charles Woodward.

In 1929 the firm moved to 37 Bury Street.

In December 1943 the firm was sold by Robert Michael Paton for £250 to Stephen Grant & Joseph Lang Ltd, they amalgamated it with their own Grant & Woodward shooting agency which was re-named Paton Grant & Woodward.

In 1959 Strutt & Parker, Lofts & Warner (estate agents) bought the business.

Pete
Posted By: obsessed-with-doubles Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/13/10 10:43 AM
Awesome. I love that vintage finish.

What are you going to do for ammo? Can you find it over there? Or are you just handloading?

Thanks for sharing.

I want an 8g, BTW.

OWD
Posted By: lagopus Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/13/10 10:47 AM
An excellent specimen that will be a joy to use. My old 8 now only gets used for inland flighting in Scotland where I can still use lead loads. I have some nitro loading recipes from Douglas Macdougall's books on eight bores; copies are now rare and fetch a good price, and from old Shooting Times articles that I saved. Powders used are mainly Blue Dot and Vectan AO. Black powder is still fun to use and, I think, gives better results. Lagopus.....
Posted By: eightbore Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/13/10 01:22 PM
A wonderful gun in very high condition. The straight grip stock is a really nice touch. What do eight gauge shooters over there use for empty shells?
Posted By: CBL1 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/13/10 02:00 PM
Many thanks for the lovely comments gents which I appreciate. As regards ongoing, I am going to take a number of approachs;

- to get started, I have got two boxes of cartridges made up for my by Alan Myers, a noted specialist here. These are plastic clear Winchester cases which I will retain for future homeloading. One box of lead (black powder and for use inland and not on wildfowl)and one of non-tox suitable for Damascus barrels.
- I am going to get some brass cases made up specifically for the Paton to allow home loading longer term (once I have taught myself). I am an ardent traditionalist and like the option of bespoke brass, and at £12 per case, they are expensive but not crazy.
- I will longer term re-load plastic cases as well.

Ultimately, I don't anticipate using the Paton heavily as I don't have a lot of chances to get out during the season, but equally I purchased it to use it! It would have been silly for me to have got a solely goose-gun as I generally shoot duck mostly, so this gives me the best of both worlds. The day I use it to get my first pinkfoot will be a proud moment, no matter how long it takes me smile
Posted By: MarketHunter Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/13/10 07:01 PM
My first pinkfoot was with a Parker 10 bore, but I remember it equally well. I've had them and greylag both with an 8 gauge too.

I've shot with Alan and used those loads, they're good cartridges though as I remember he wasn't shy about what he asked for them.

Congratulation, that does seem a good choice for a combination duck and goose gun what with the lighter weight.

I briefly owned a Tolley double eight with straight stock and Jones underlever, should have kept that one. Only Jones underlever gun I ever fired actually.


Destry
Posted By: Chris Schotz Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/14/10 12:34 AM
Beautiful gun! I really like it. I shot my 8ga Lefever on sporting clays. It was very pleasant to shoot. I did need to spend more time learning to swing it. It was the most fun I've had in years shooting. On a downside, a L.C. Smith 8 beat me badly at the Norheast SxS this year.

Load some lite loads and have fun. Be sure to load extra as you'll have many people wanting to shoot it. I took 100 shells for the 50 bird shoot and always came back empty.
Chris
Posted By: Ballistix999 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/14/10 01:22 AM
Love it, really nice. Stock (as always appears to be the case) is quite short and probably hacked off to pass down or was used by yet another short arse aristocrat. Splending gun and to have that much colour left is a rare bonus! Keep hold of it smile

T
Posted By: CBL1 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/14/10 05:06 PM
Thanks once more gents. The stock is just over 14 3/8th LOP which is spot on for me and actually for such an old gun not too bad in my inexperienced view. It doesn't look cut down as the butt plate remains original and doesn't bear any evidence of change (or fitting adjustments for example) - so I am going to go on the assumption the original owner was a smallish strong man to carry 12 lbs around regularly, no doubt without any gunslip!

I intend to keep hold of it - but equally use it as its maker intended, albeit with care. Order for brass cases/bismith etc all going in shortly and then once the season has ended here in the UK, I will start to learn to homeload.
Posted By: bsteele Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/14/10 05:43 PM
Take a close look at your lock when the hammer is in the down postion. I bet you'll see the letters "IB", for Joseph Brazier, between the arms of the spring. There are not many locks better than a Brazier. The 2 sets I've had have piercings exactly like the one on your bridle plate.
Posted By: lagopus Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/14/10 05:52 PM
To answer Obsessed with Doubles question. We use old used Industrial cartridge cases. Fiocchi, Federal, Winchester and Remington all make them. They are used in a special gun and shoot 3 ounce solid slugs and are used to descale lime kilns and such like. I get mine from a local lime works and they use them by the thousand. I prefer the Remington ones but they have now switched to Winchester. I had a special die made to re-size the heads as they have a step in to stop them being inadvertently loaded into a sporting gun and fired with the slug with disasterous results. Load as normal and finish with a roll crimp.

If you want some fired Winchester cases and are willing to collect them from Derbyshire I will gladly let you have a load of them. Lagopus.....
Posted By: obsessed-with-doubles Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/14/10 11:10 PM
Lagopus-

Thanks for the info. Do they shoot the inside of the kilns? I want that job.

And do you have any idea where I can buy a copy of Douglas Macdougall's book on 8 bores? Do you know the complete title?

Thanks again,

OWD
Posted By: CBL1 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/14/10 11:25 PM
Originally Posted By: bsteele
Take a close look at your lock when the hammer is in the down postion. I bet you'll see the letters "IB", for Joseph Brazier, between the arms of the spring. There are not many locks better than a Brazier. The 2 sets I've had have piercings exactly like the one on your bridle plate.


Spot on - the locks are indeed Ashe and Brazier as I checked this when the locks were off. A few more pics of them if you are interested. Those chaps in the 19th century were certainly craftsmen!





Because Eley stopped making 8 bore cartridges in 1976, reloading is the only realistic option now. As mentioned, Alan Myers does load and sell, but as £5/$8 per shot for non-toxic (ITM), it is not cheap smile. Still, it is not as if I fire many cartridges in a seasons wildfowling!
Posted By: obsessed-with-doubles Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/15/10 12:13 AM
Beautiful fences.

Check out this site for some info on locks:

http://www.muzzleloaders-etcetera.com/overview_of_locks.htm


OWD
Posted By: Small Bore Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/17/10 06:00 AM
Do I get credit for the photos? wink
Posted By: CBL1 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/17/10 09:02 AM
Originally Posted By: Small Bore
Do I get credit for the photos? wink


You do - definitely a career as a hand model if ever you want to moonlight smile
Posted By: lagopus Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/17/10 08:29 PM
Obsessed with Doubles; sorry about the slow reply as I have been busy working the dogs on shoots - out again tomorrow. Those kilns are shot up but via a port in the side, the gun used is not a very conventional thing at all but I understand Winchester did make a single barrel gun that looked like the model 37 for this purpose.

Douglass McDougall (now deceased) wrote three books on 8 bore loading, plus some others on wildfowling in general. The 8 bore books are; 8 Bore Guns and their Cartridges written in 1979; More 8 Bore Loads written in 1981 (both paperback) and a hardback edition which combined them both with a small addition called 8 Bore Ammunition written in 1985. I have them all but they are now very scarce. Lagopus.....
Posted By: obsessed-with-doubles Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/17/10 09:36 PM
Lagopus-

Thanks for the info. I ordered one of them from a dealer over here. I'm not sure which one. I'll see when it shows up.

Which issue os the Shooting Times had the article you mentioned? I may be able to find a copy on Ebay.

And how is the snowy weather effecting the shooting?



OWD
Posted By: CBL1 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/17/10 11:36 PM
Hello Gregg. The snow and cold temperatures have had a major impact over here, with Scotland now in the midst of a cold-weather wildfowling/wader shooting ban and England not far off it if things continue. There are quite prescriptive rules here, primarily designed to ease shooting pressure on vulnerable species, although the wildfowling forum I am on has generally positive reports on wildfowl condition presently from around the UK. And of course, a wildfowling ban does not in any way prevent disturbance from others (dog walkers being a notable issue in some areas here).

However, an sportsman worth his salt will exercise volumtary restraint in these conditions and as soon as signs indicate birds are struggling, should hang up their guns.

So it could be several weeks before I get a chance to take the Paton on the marshes!
Posted By: Krakow Kid Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/18/10 05:04 AM
Well now - For no discernible reason whatsoever I've been progressively getting a hankering for a big bore over the psat couple months. Just a creeping tug going through the usual rounds spinning from one website to another, just checking on what's available, a little voice whispering "10 bore, what's up with that 10 bore there?". Now, my dear fellow, you have blown the top of my skull off with those pictures of your seriously gorgeous 8 bore, for God's sake! Man, I used to have a general feeling I knew exactly what I wanted and needed, and that bit of wool covered my eyes rather nicely. Well, I needn't tell you how the winds stirred to gale force, blew the wool from my eyes, blew my eyes right outta their sockets and now I want it ALL!
Posted By: lagopus Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 12/19/10 03:59 PM


My old 8 bore. A Joseph Lang patent hammerless. Lagopus.....

p.s. Obsessed with Doubles; the loading information in Shooting Times was part of a series on re-loading which gave formula over various issues just as part of a table.
Posted By: CBL1 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 02/18/11 11:23 PM
Out in the final few weeks of the season here in the UK with the Paton. Fantastic fun and a privilege to be out on the marsh with her.



Definitely got "goose fever" though - two fantastic chances of downwind honkers blown badly down to sheer excitement. Not able to make it out on this coming last weekend of the season and so a long wait until Sept frown. Time to start to learn reloading and get out on the clays to practice!
Posted By: obsessed-with-doubles Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 02/19/11 01:50 AM
Good to see it in the field!

I have a line on a Purdey 8g. Waiting for pics and to find out more.

Thanks

OWD
Posted By: Krakow Kid Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 02/19/11 03:20 AM
Man oh man, that is one beautiful gun. You're damn right somebody took good care of it, just look at those barrels and colors on the action. Engraving looks like it was done last week and the wood earns the right to be part of the whole with its lovely figure. You've got some great years ahead of you with that big blaster. Congratulations on the great success of your 4 year quest!
Posted By: Small Bore Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 02/19/11 08:25 PM
Good to see the old girl in action. I knew you'd get along.
Posted By: CBL1 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 02/19/11 10:10 PM
Originally Posted By: Small Bore
Good to see the old girl in action. I knew you'd get along.


It feels special using her to be honest Dig; I have only had 4 shots this season and yet to score, but it doesn't bother me at all. Plenty of time for that - and quite rare to be so excited at taking a shot that it takes me back 25 yrs when I first started shooting. smile

Many thanks for your kind comments Krakow Kid - appreciated. Looking forward to next season already.
Posted By: CBL1 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 05/12/11 12:39 PM
By way of a quick query, I have been informed that the latest edition of the DGJ contains a picture/pictures of the locks on my Paton 8ga (in an article by Diggory).

Can anyone confirm/deny this as if it is so, I will purchase it from the US and get it shipped over here.

Thanks in advance gentlemen.

Craig.
Posted By: BALTDBL Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 05/12/11 12:46 PM
Absolutely beautiful double!
Posted By: John Roberts Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 05/12/11 01:26 PM
New to his thread but, wow! What a fine piece you do have there! The condition is truly amazing, considering. Your taste in firearms is impeccable! Please, do keep us abreast of your progress with this fine old fowler with photos to go along with commentary, when possible. Outstanding, my good man!
JR
Posted By: Krakow Kid Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 05/12/11 04:01 PM
CBL - Yes indeed, it is one of the pictures you've posted above - An open hand (Diggory's, I imagine) holding a lock.

Let me know if you need any contact information for the DGJ.

Best Regards - Marc
Posted By: CBL1 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 05/12/11 04:10 PM
Many thanks Marc - appreciated. Is the article about locks/big bores etc as intrigued/excited about the use of the picture. And yes, I do have an e-mail into Dig smile

By way of update on the beast, it is currently up with a specialist having its chambers precisely measured for brass cases to be made. Also getting some hand-loading tools made up for it to then teach myself the black art of homeloading. Making brass seems a very precise science and I am keen to get started!

If anyone else is interested in big bores, check out this mini-video of Watson Bros new double 4 bore. Magnificent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMtVW2gSJ40

Craig
Posted By: lagopus Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 05/13/11 02:42 PM
CBL 1, I don't know where you are in the U.K. but I have plenty of once fired Winchester plastic 8 bore kiln cartridge cases if you want any you are more than welcome. They need to have the heads re-sized. A re-sizer is not difficult to make. 8's are quite easy to load for. Lagopus.....
Posted By: CBL1 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 05/13/11 03:24 PM
Many thanks Lagopus - appreciate the offer (I am in London). Current focus is on brass and I have 50 to-be-fired cartridges from Alan Myers which I can re-load. Nonetheless, I may well be in contact in the short term, especially if the brass option does not work out or I want to load 50+ homeloads for a clay shoot.

Craig
Posted By: lagopus Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 05/14/11 10:09 AM
No problem. Just let me know. I have loads of them and can always re-size a few to send you to see if they fit your gun. I tend to stick to the Remington cases as I find the Winchester head thickness is a fraction too much for my gun and stops it closing properly. They work o.k. in a friends gun though. Lagopus.....
Posted By: Dave in Maine Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 05/14/11 09:19 PM
For those wondering, this http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/industrial/masterblaster-system.aspx is the kind of thing used for shooting kilns.

If you read the text, you'll see it's also intended to "eliminate snowmen", which probably has some specialized industrial meaning, but still would make for a great cartoon or something. Then again, with a T&E mechanism, it would be ideal for whacking regular snowmen, too. They don't require much lead, I suppose.
Posted By: Krakow Kid Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 05/16/11 02:31 AM
CBL - Sorry for the late reply. No, the article is about guns of the 1870's. I haven't had a chance to read it yet.

You've given Dig, or somebody, a great subject for a DGJ article: Classic Big Bore doubles.
Posted By: eightbore Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 05/16/11 12:18 PM
Or "Goosing on the Foreshore with the Remington Kiln Gun".
Posted By: CBL1 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 05/16/11 04:16 PM
Originally Posted By: eightbore
Or "Goosing on the Foreshore with the Remington Kiln Gun".


Precious little romance in that I would imagine! Not sure I would want to eat the Pinkfeet after using the Kiln gun either.
Posted By: eightbore Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 05/16/11 08:44 PM
The Kiln Gun is perfectly suited to large shot as well as the three ounce slug. In fact, shot shells are commercially made for the kiln guns. Some applications are better suited to the use of shot than slugs.
Posted By: CBL1 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 10/30/11 06:37 PM
And by way of a closing of the circle on the Paton 8ga, after nearly a year since purchase, I am proud to say she has claimed her first grey goose (a greylag) on the foreshores of the UK on yesterdays dawn flight. A lovely 35yd goose from a skein of 7 birds, cleanly killed with 2 1/4oz of Bismuth No 1's using blackpowder in specially made brass cases. An absolute honour to use the big bore and hopefully the first of many foreshore geese in her renewed life on the marshes.
Posted By: obsessed-with-doubles Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 10/31/11 12:47 AM
Nice job. Must of been a lot of fun.

OWD
Posted By: CBL1 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 01/25/12 10:11 PM
As a follow up note, I have continued to use the Paton throughout this wildfowling season, taking her out for about 10 flights in total and each one being a pleasure. Several have been a blank but the flight was none the worse for it - a delight still to be out.

What has surprised me though is just how well the gun patterns and how cleanly it kills. It has no choke, but that did not stop it cleanly killing a 60 yrd pinkfoot (grey goose), as well as having an incredibly memorable evening flight over duck decoys where 5 wigeon fell to 7 shots. By keeping shots above 30 yrds, all birds were superb for the table.

12lbs is not unduly heavy to take across the marsh, and by using a modern day leg-o-mutton gun case (Napier UK) and assembling the gun once I have walked out across the marsh, it is much more manageable than I could have perceived.

Less than a month left of the UK season on the saltmarshes now so I intend to get out a few more times before looking ahead to reloading practice!

Craig
Posted By: eightbore Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 01/25/12 11:22 PM
Just a wonderful gun. I have a baggo eights that I enjoy, but yours would be a wonderful addition to my collection or a one gun collection for anyone. I envy your opportunity to use yours on waterfowl.
Posted By: gunsaholic Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 01/26/12 01:39 AM
That's a great looking old gun. I would love having it in my collectin. Actually my uncle has an 8 bore hammer gun he was telling me about at Christmas time. Don't know what make but perhaps it could find its way into my "group." But I just picked up a 10 gauge Elsie hammer gun so I'm going to try it out on Turkey.
Posted By: CBL1 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 01/26/12 09:55 AM
Thanks Chaps. The real pleasure is the ability to use the gun on the foreshore, although I am paranoid about cleaning it after it has been exposed to the mud and seawater of the marshes of the UK. I enclose a couple of pictures to give a sense as to what the saltmarshes of North Norfolk are like - this is the "mecca" of wildfowling in the UK and it gives me great pleasure to be able to shoot with good friends on marshes like this. Walks out are often at least 1 mile out/1 mile back and across some slippery and glutinous mud so keeping fit is critical. However, once out in the creeks (and watching the tide carefully), cranking back the hammers on the big eight as a skein of pinkfeet move over us is right up there in terms of my favourite shooting experiences.









For anyone interested in reading more about UK wildfowling, I recommend "Folwers Moon" by Thorneycroft, "Norfolk Fowler" by Savory or some of BB's books such as "Tides Ending". Cracking stuff.

Craig.
Posted By: Roy Hebbes Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 01/26/12 12:09 PM
Craig,
Great pictures of Peter Scott Country as seen and described in his book,Morning Flight.
For those not Familiar with the writings of BB,"Dennis Watkins-Pitchford M.B.E." you are missing a treat!Dennis was a distinguished author and artist.His books Tides Ending & Dark Estuary,are wildfowling classics.The Shooting Mans Bedside book,a pocket sized collection of the works of the great writers on field sports/shooting; compiled by BB has been my frequent read for more than 50 years.Dennis during his life time,also published many articles under the pseudonym, "BB"in the U.K magazine, Shooting TImes.
Posted By: obsessed-with-doubles Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 01/26/12 01:15 PM
Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

Do you hunt over decoys? Or jump/pass shoot?

Any dogs?

OWD
Posted By: CBL1 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 01/26/12 05:29 PM
Primarily flight/pass shooting on the saltmarshes, involving a lot of fieldcraft and reconnaisance, not a little luck, and hopefully some decent blowing winds and cold temperatures. Dogs will always be with us if possible given the amt of water/mud. If we go out without dogs, we would restrict ourselves only to non-flooded areas where any shot bird could be safely and humanely retrieved easily on foot.

Occasionally shoot over decoys but this tends to be tideflighting where a set of decoys is placed on a main creek running out to sea.

Wildfowling, like waterfowling in North America, has a lot of history and tradition and that does not change to this day. I love all forms of shooting, but if I had to choose one, it would be wildfowling. Out in wild places, at dawn and dusk, with often no one around for miles is absolutely magic - and although there is no guarantee of any shots, when it works, it really feels as if you have made an effort for the hunt. "Red letter days" in pure numbers shot terms are however very few and far between!

Back a hundred years ago, there were a decent number of professional wildfowlers on the coast of N Norfolk, and they made their base in Wells-next-the-Sea. You would often get people up from London taken out by professional guides, and outside of this, the chaps were out in all weathers, sometimes living on the foreshore in houseboats.
Posted By: MarketHunter Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 01/26/12 08:48 PM




Couple old time postcards out of the collection showing fowling in the UK. Just thought they fit in with the discussion.


Destry
Posted By: CBL1 Re: Edward Paton 8ga double - 03/05/12 10:18 PM
Great postcards Destry - I have actually shot pinkfeet geese very close to Breydon Water (postcard 1) under a full moon and in a gale. An incredible experience and a rare occurrence when all the conditions for a moonflight came together.

Looks the chap in the second picture is using what is called a "cripple stopper" which was often an old single barrel 10 or 12 bore used to humanely kill any wounded birds remaining from a larger punt shot.
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