In 1959, at age 8, I was given the use of a J.C. Higgins .410 S x S with the most gorgeous feathered cellulosic plastic walnut (Tenite) I had ever seen. That was my gun for the next 4 years, and I made good use of it. With it I took my first squirrels, doves, quail, rabbits, and did some deft work on the avian pests like owls and yellowhammers (flicker). I do not recall having ever fired a 2 1/2" shell in it, the entire four years. My Dad owned a large general merchandise country store, and sold ammunition. Remington "three inchers" was what he sold, and what I used.

The squirrels are yet rebuilding their numbers around here from my onslaught of market hunting them in the late 50s and early 60s.

SRH


May God bless America and those who defend her.