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Forums10
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Most Online1,131 Jan 21st, 2024
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,264 Likes: 196
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,264 Likes: 196 |
An old friend from the '70s passed away last Friday. Don was a hunter and gun collector from the beginning. His article in American Rifleman in 1972 on double guns, mostly American, contained a chart that compared most quality American makers, grade for grade. The article pictured some nice guns, including a AA Grade sideplate Lefever and a 6C Crossbolt Lefever. Some men still carry that chart in their billfolds. He was one of the first contributors to the Double Gun Journal. Don was a quiet, unassuming man, and was the best wingshot I ever hunted with. A Favorite Photos post on this bulletin board showed him just after getting a double on Huns while in his 80th year. I, and a lot of others, will miss him.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,190 Likes: 15
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,190 Likes: 15 |
That is indeed very sad news Daryl. Like you I remember that old American double gun makers grades comparison and still refer to same from time to time; but the first thing I always recall about Don is the article he wrote for the DGJ (Volume I, Issue 1) entitled "Lesser Lights" in which he featured a D Grade Baltimore, a high grade H & R, a graded Tobin and Stevens, and an A and D Grade Syracuse (I've always assumed the D was your gun). I later corresponded with Don and purchased the A Syracuse; a well-used specimen with an after-market beavertail, but found Don to be a gentlemen in all respects and very knowledgeable. He will certainly be missed, but the reality is that all of us old-timers are slowly heading in the same direction; and once the time comes that we're gone, about the only lasting thing we'll leave behind is our respective reputations. Let us hope that personal legacy will be as well remembered as Don's.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,091 Likes: 192
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,091 Likes: 192 |
I'll reread the DGJ article today. A real double gun guy. I hope I get to enjoy mine as long as he did his.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,711 Likes: 730
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,711 Likes: 730 |
Well, respected reputations and the knowledge that was shared in print and online. I only knew the man through his writing. We shared interest in a similar topic.
One more pen and voice, stilled.
Godspeed.
Best, Ted
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,009 Likes: 22
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,009 Likes: 22 |
Don accompanied my son and me to several Las Vegas shows, and he always stopped by to say hello when he was in town. He was full of interesting stories and a fund of knowledge. Our hobby has lost a good and dedicated friend.
Last edited by rocky mtn bill; 06/28/20 01:37 PM.
Bill Ferguson
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,883 Likes: 106
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,883 Likes: 106 |
Sorry to hear. Don first appeared on my radar when I picked up a 1986 Gun Digest. I read his article on Ansley H. Fox on the flight from Kodiak back to Northern Virginia that year. Certainly enjoyed chatting with Don at the Nimrod Classic events at Big Sky Sporting Clays at Polson, Montana, and the winter Las Vegas shows.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 345 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 345 Likes: 8 |
'Thanks' for letting us know of this, Daryl, and I'm most sorry to hear of his passing. I always enjoyed the chance to visit with Don and Shirley at their home on Bell Crossing, or at the local gun shows where he'd be displaying some of his pieces. He had a passion for his hobby that just bubbled over whether he was showing you a nice gun of his own or looking at one belonging to another.
I know you were very close to him over the years and shared a lot of bird hunting camps throughout Montana. My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends as he will be missed by those that knew him well.
Rob
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,264 Likes: 196
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,264 Likes: 196 |
Here's Don with his Hun double in his 81st year in 2012. He was the best wing shot I ever hunted with.
Last edited by Daryl Hallquist; 06/29/20 09:54 AM.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 640 Likes: 6
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 640 Likes: 6 |
I'm sorry to hear of Don's passing. Over the years we fairly traded some nice side-by-sides, I still have one of his reloading presses, and his participated several times in sporting clays shoots organized by the Big Sky Upland Bird Association. I reviewed our records, and while he never took the top trophy, he usually won the SXS class. He sold me a well used Parker 16 that we worked together to refresh that remains one of my favorites. He also built a lovely bamboo fly rod for me. Quite a talented yet humble gentleman.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 532 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 532 Likes: 1 |
I hunted huns with Don and Daryl when Don was only 80. He was a great shot, great company, one of the nicest people I have been lucky enough to spend time with. I have the very best memories of shooting birds and shooting the breeze with him - a truly wonderful person.
Rich
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