In my professional life, I head up the real estate department for a regional retailer; and in the process of finalizing a deal in New Braunfels, TX today, wished the individual I was working with there in market a great Labor Day weekend. He thanked me and said it would be a big event for his family, as it was time for the annual family dove shoot on their ranch. The mention of dove shooting immediately peeked my interest, so I then asked what he would be shooting; hoping, of course, that he'd shock me by telling me he'd be shooting an old Syracuse Arms gun. Instead he responded that he'd be shooting a twenty gauge, but not a twenty gauge whatever; so I pressed and asked if it was pump, semi-auto, side x side, OU, etc.? Imagine my surprise when he responded that he'd be shooting one of a matched pair of cased Purdy over/unders, and his wife would be shooting the other. So we started talking shotguns, and to summarize the story on this matched pair; seems he's been married to this lady for little over a year, that his father in law had owned this gun many years; and given him the gun as a wedding gift. It has supposedly never been fired, having languished in it's leather case since new. Based on his description of the family ranch, which his father in law stocked years ago with exoitc African animals (and has deeded to him and his wife!). I suppose I'm sharing this story, because I'm wishing we could all have married so well; and also because I've not yet won the lottery either. At any rate I was invited to the family dove shoot during the conversation, and the Good Lord above knows how much I would really, really have liked to attend; but alas, I won't be that fortuante either.......maybe someday?

Tom, great story. If only this individual knew how much you know about SACs and L.C. Smiths I think would surprise him or anyone.

You do have wealth........... all the knowledge about these guns would be hard to put a price on.

When you talk about his father-in-law and the exotic species he put on his property, you are not talking about a few hundred acres, but probably a few thousand, so he had the money for a few good guns, and yes it would be nice for that to happen to any of us.

I hope you get a chance to go out an have fun over the weekend and it is always nice to talk with you.

Thank you for sharing this and I am pleased the Purdys are
being used

Tom,does his wife have a sister that is not married? Bobby

Bobby, you forgot to ask him to send a photo of any shotguns she may have. Gil

"Tom,does his wife have a sister that is not married? Bobby"

Given that I was still trying to absorb all the fascinating details this gent had shared with me regarding his ranch; the thought honestly never occured to ask. And although I'm certain my wife would make sure that I never had the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of any such dalliance were my circumstanes different, and were I to be so fortunate; I'm sure I could learn to love a gal with the "right" shotguns, regardless of her looks.

Purdys are paintbrushes, Purdeys are Limey shotguns- not too shabby either. I wish I had kept my Granddad's old Island Lock hammer Purdey= His Father, my maternal Great-Grandfather, took it in payment for a bareknuckle prize fight he won in Dublin in 1905-- from a crooked boxing promoter (aren't they all though) who tried to Welsh out on paying him his cash purse.

Seamus O'Malley was not a man to trifle with, he had a hot Mick temper-- He never shot it, gave it to my Grandfather Sean O'Malley to hunt with. If I could have any of the Limey "Bests" I would want a matched pair of Boss 12 bore game guns, but a matched pair of Purdey's(Not Purdy's) would not be too shabby either. Sort of like having to choose between a BMW or a Mercedes Benz--A decision I have yet to make ah yes!!!!

Great story, Tom. I wish you could be there for the shoot, and the fellowship. I was once on a flight from Atlanta to Augusta with some Texans with shotguns in slips. They were taking them on the plane as "carry-ons", so you can guess how long ago that's been. They were going to a dove shoot near Augusta "sommers". I can picture you doing the same, in the other direction.

You're always welcome to shoot with me here in Burke and Screven counties. Just say the word and it's done. Not quite as long a trip. I promise to use my Smith.

All my best, Stan

I've accepted an invitation to a Washington DC fundraiser for the Atlantic Salmon Federation and then for Thanksgiving on a 600-cow farm along the river outside Louisville, Kentucky. Turkeys around there, season open?

Stan
Many thanks for the invitation, and I sure hope to take you up on that offer some day. Years ago I used to hunt some down in Burke County near Waynesboro; had a pack of beagles and had some great times running cottontails in the heads around those huge open fields (not many rabbits in my part of N. GA in those days). Also had a great time down there at the Bole Weevil Planation; don't know if that operation is still in business, but they had the hardest flying pen-raised quail I've ever shot. Eighteen months ago my wife and I moved to Townville, SC (so I could take advantage of a great job opportunity in Greenville) and I don't know a soul in this area other than Bill McPhail and Tom Martin; which as we all know is pretty good company, but I haven't had the time to find places to ramble. I do however, have an invitation to a dove shoot tomorrow in Madison County, GA near Ila; supposed to show up with a shotgun and smile about 11:AM and be prepared to enjoy some old fashioned southern style bar-be-cue, and I am super excited! Haven't fired a shotgun since opening day last September, and I know I'll be rusty; but I did manage to have my cataracts repaired recently, so at least I'll be able to see a dove tomorrow before he's inside 20 yards! I'm taking an old 1901 vintage SAC gun that I'll be shooting for the very first time, so who knows whether I'll bag a bird or not; but at this stage in my life I don't care about limits and averages, just being there to experience the event and the fellowship will be quite a blessing by itself. I can't remember if the south GA season opens tomorrow or not; but I always enjoy seeing pix of you and your family's successful shoots, so I wish you guys lots of luck and fun. Best, Tom

Great story...I have a similar story down here but the father in law never really liked the son in law. I hunted with him one day and the son in law was to hunt a 200 acre section only out of 2000 acres.His wife which to call her a [censored] would be a compliment but I think he is happy.... and the father in law died and passed on the farm to the grand children.