No modern guns here....

[Steve Sanford]

Four of us had a fine shoot on a farm pond this morning - our Second Opener. Our Duck Season goes to about Christmas here in eastern New York. Our armory dates from the 1920s through the 1960s, I believe. All 4 guns acquitted themselves well today.

We expected only Mallards - and that is what we found.

4-year-old Lab "Boo" made several water retrieves.

The 1925 Model 12 - aka "Locomotive Breath" - was flawless as always.....

I always savor the bird-in-hand. But I need a better camera before next season. Too many close-ups were blurred by the slow shutter speeds (or by the "slow" camera man).

The butterscotch chin on the hen is a favorite.

Harley more than earned his keep today - with a bunch of retrieves on terra firma.

A Large Muensterlander (aka "cheesehound") - Harley is now 10 - and has learned how to pose for portraits....

He keeps his master from sliding downhill into the pond.....

One "runner" was discovered by Harley in this hayfield - and provided a second, sporting chance for the gunners.

Both dogs share a deep appreciation for fine old firearms.

More ducks than barrels....

A superb beginning to our Second Half.

All the best,

SJS

 

[Jeff Reardon]

Looks like a nice day afield. Are you guys still in the same weather pattern we are--warm and humid?

Feels more like late August than November--my low last night was 56 degrees, and we topped 70 yesterday when the sun came out.

Our morning was duckless--none shot, none decoyed, none seen. Two geese were seen high on the horizon, though they are not legal game right now.

Off to see if the woodcock and grouse are a little more cooperative.

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good morning, Jeff~

Yes - still warm and humid - especially for November. We expected 40s this morning but had 53 when we got up.

All the best,

SJS

 

[Bill Ferrar]

nor hunters LOL
It is a pleasure to see that model 12. I remember seeing the 12 at your house when you lived on long island. I asked if that was a stainless steel or nickel barrel.. To my surprise it was just the bluing worn off.

 

[Steve Sanford]

Bill~

Actually, this is my "new" Model 12. The one you saw was a bit older - made in 1918 - and finally wore out about 15 years ago with a headspace problem. Both, though, are Nickel Steel.

All the best,

SJS

 

[Capt Jeff Kraynik]

Suweet!!!

 

[Tom Russo]

Looks like an awesome day Capt.!

Tom

 

[Carl]

More ducks than barrels....

Always a good thing. Especially when shooting a pump or semi.

 

[Capt Rich Geminski]

I love the look. No black or camo guns, still busting busting birds. Steve, that old 12 still has life in her...

 

[Rick L]

It was a vintage sort of day here as well - although the birds were less cooperative around here

 

[Phil Nowack]

Awesome... I thought the Model 12 was a 10A

 

[MLBob Furia]

Love the straight English stocks on those doubles!

 

[Kevin Puls]

It was a vintage sort of day here as well - although the birds were less cooperative around here

I love that Damascus twist barrel. I have an old single shot from 1895 that I don't shoot anymore.

 

[Hank Yorke]

It was a vintage sort of day here as well - although the birds were less cooperative around here

Rick -
What shells are you shooting with your twist barrels? I've got one that just sits, due to lack of knowledge with twist barrels and what shells I can shoot.

 

[Rick L]

Rick -
What shells are you shooting with your twist barrels? I've got one that just sits, due to lack of knowledge with twist barrels and what shells I can shoot.

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I hand load the short chamber shells with bismuth and nice shot to the appropriate pressures

the trick with the old guns is to be sure the barrels are in safe condition (any old gun- fluid steel as well) - if you do not have the tools and experience to evaluate them, leave it to a pro

BUT-- they are fun

 

[TimJ]

Neat old gun hunt. It just proves they can still get it done. Nice to see you had a German dog there to keep things classy.

Tim

 

[Cody Williams]

I really enjoyed your post, Steve-those are some classy guns! Love that old Auto-5 as well. I've got a friend that collects old side-by-sides that he keeps bringing over to my house, today he brought a pre-WW1 Meffert 12-gauge that was absolutely a joy to shoulder. He also has a early 1900's AH Fox 16 gauge that might be the best-fitting gun I've ever shouldered. I would love to hunt ducks with one of those guns someday....

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good morning, Cody~

I just learned that my friend's A-5 - which I refer to unrelentingly as "The Fencepost" - was born in 1954. My friend was born in '55.

Now I need to round up the particulars on those 2 straight-stocked side-by-sides.

All the best,

SJS

 

[wis boz]

Steve
Really enjoyed your posts and they say the past is dead
wis boz

 

[Al Hansen]

Thank you, Steve, for this post. I'm so glad that you had such a wonderful shoot and that the dog's performed certainly with their A game. Once again your photos were splendid. In particular the one with the old pump and ducks followed by the hen mallard. This made my day.
Al