6th Annual Upper Canada Double Gun Classic - Take Two!
- Thread starter canvasback
- Start date
Londonshooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
That came to me via our friend Bill.
Hi Everyone
I appreciate the enthusiasm but lets try to keep this thread focused on information for the shoot. We are getting down to the wire and we don't want people missing information because it got lost among the want ads. LOL
Club Status Update.
As of this morning the club is closed until further notice due to Saturday's storm. We are very hopeful it will be back to regular operation well before June 4th, but please stay tuned for updates.
I appreciate the enthusiasm but lets try to keep this thread focused on information for the shoot. We are getting down to the wire and we don't want people missing information because it got lost among the want ads. LOL
Club Status Update.
As of this morning the club is closed until further notice due to Saturday's storm. We are very hopeful it will be back to regular operation well before June 4th, but please stay tuned for updates.
1963beretta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vaughan, Ontario
FYI, Oshawa Gun Club will reopen to normal operations as of May 25th.
Looks like we’re good to go
Looks like we’re good to go
I just learned of this and am interested in attending. Not 100% committed though. Given the price of gas I’d like to find a buddy or two for the event.
I don’t have anything as drool-worthy as others have shared, but I do enjoy my doubles. I would like a more knowledgeable person to look at my Great Grandfather’s 11ga. muzzleloader hammer gun made by J.Pratt (Edinburg, Scotland) in 1837 - I’d like to learn more about it and exhaustive web searching has turned up very little.
I’d also love to find some light (7/8 or even 3/4oz) 2.5” 16ga. ammo. A couple boxes of RST in 6 or 7’s would be great, if anyone might be selling some.
I don’t have anything as drool-worthy as others have shared, but I do enjoy my doubles. I would like a more knowledgeable person to look at my Great Grandfather’s 11ga. muzzleloader hammer gun made by J.Pratt (Edinburg, Scotland) in 1837 - I’d like to learn more about it and exhaustive web searching has turned up very little.
I’d also love to find some light (7/8 or even 3/4oz) 2.5” 16ga. ammo. A couple boxes of RST in 6 or 7’s would be great, if anyone might be selling some.
Perhaps you have this information already, but in case you don't...
John Pratt was born in Haddingtonshire (East Lothian), Scotland, around 1793. In the 1841 census John Pratt was living at 17 George St., with his wife Elizabeth (born 1811), his son John (born 1835), and his four daughters (Margaret, Anna, Elizabeth and Jessie). By the time of the 1851 census, John Jr was 16 and was listed as a gunmaker's apprentice, under his father. In 1851, Pratt's gunmaking business employed five persons (presumably 4 journeymen workers in addition to his son), so quite a respectably-sized business for a gunmaker at the time. His competition in Edinburgh would have been fierce, yet he kept going. His competitors would have included the illustrious likes of James Bryce (1850-1875), John Dickson & Son (1840+), Joseph Harkom (1837-1870), W. Haycock (1860-1863), Alexander Henry (1853-1911), Thomas Elsworth Mortimer (1835-1854 - he was gunmaker to King George IV), and Alexander Thomson (1820-1881). To have survived in business in the same city as these makers, Pratt had to be good.
Pratt first established his business as a gunmaker in 1814 at 5 Carnegie Street, Edinburgh. He repeatedly changed addresses, suggesting he took over leases with short outstanding periods at reduced rents: 5 Carnegie Street (1814), 7 Carnegie Street (1820), 3 Abbey Hill (1822), 14 Richmond Place (1823), 4 Richmond Place (1827), 6 Richmond Place (1830), 9 Richmond Place (1831), 18 Hanover Street (1832), 11 Hanover Street (1833), 28 Hanover Street (1839), 99 Princes Street (1853), and 24 South Frederick Street (1860). From the 1837 date that you have, does your gun have the 11 Hanover St address on the rib? It looks like your gun has a small grip safety? Interesting gun.
John Pratt closed his business in 1861; he was not recorded in the 1861 census, so he may have died in or shortly before 1861. He may have built a few pin-fires, having made it to the breech-loading age, which is of interest to me.
I hope you will make it to the Double Gun Classic, there will be very knowledgeable folks in attendance. I'll now make it a point of bringing along a Dickson, so your Great Grandfather's gun won't feel lonely.
Thank you, Pinfire!
The rib is marked “J. PRATT 28 HANOVER STREET EDINBURGH”. And yes, it has a grip safety which I did not expect to see on a gun of its era.
My Great Grandfather worked for the CP Railway and the family story is that he bought the gun as unclaimed baggage in c. 1910 for $2. He was not a hunter or gun enthusiast, so it was reportedly used to shoot vermin around the cottage. There’s a matching serial number (276) marked on each barrel, the receiver and small silver medallion in the buttstock, and medallion is dated “1837”. The forend was damaged and my Grandfather rebuilt it with a piece of German silver and also made the box case for it. She still needs one hammer spur rebuilt. When I got the gun several years ago, I cleanup up the bores which were very dirty/rusty so I’m not sure the gun would be safe to fire. If it were, I’d love to bag a turkey with the gun (with a very light load, of course).
The rib is marked “J. PRATT 28 HANOVER STREET EDINBURGH”. And yes, it has a grip safety which I did not expect to see on a gun of its era.
My Great Grandfather worked for the CP Railway and the family story is that he bought the gun as unclaimed baggage in c. 1910 for $2. He was not a hunter or gun enthusiast, so it was reportedly used to shoot vermin around the cottage. There’s a matching serial number (276) marked on each barrel, the receiver and small silver medallion in the buttstock, and medallion is dated “1837”. The forend was damaged and my Grandfather rebuilt it with a piece of German silver and also made the box case for it. She still needs one hammer spur rebuilt. When I got the gun several years ago, I cleanup up the bores which were very dirty/rusty so I’m not sure the gun would be safe to fire. If it were, I’d love to bag a turkey with the gun (with a very light load, of course).
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Well we are getting down to the short strokes. I don't want to jinx anything but weather is looking like it may cooperate.
As you may have gleaned from a few posts, we are encouraging a bit of a garage sale table so if you have something related to doubleguns that you'd like to send down the road, by all means bring it.
A second point regarding bring things. As the regulars know, the success of this event is largely tied to the assortment of guns we get to see and handle. And much as I'd like a collection of 100 or so London Bests we could all ogle, what makes it work is if YOU BRING YOUR INTERESTING GUNS. That's what makes the event work.
And finally, during this time of excessive shortages of shotshells, I have been looking at my inventory and decided I could spread some 16 gauge 2 1/2" low pressure shot shells around. So I'm bringing a flat. Mix of RST and Gamebore. Won't be target load prices FYI. I've recently bought some RST 20 gauge in the US and prices are up 50% from where they were pre Covid.
As you may have gleaned from a few posts, we are encouraging a bit of a garage sale table so if you have something related to doubleguns that you'd like to send down the road, by all means bring it.
A second point regarding bring things. As the regulars know, the success of this event is largely tied to the assortment of guns we get to see and handle. And much as I'd like a collection of 100 or so London Bests we could all ogle, what makes it work is if YOU BRING YOUR INTERESTING GUNS. That's what makes the event work.
And finally, during this time of excessive shortages of shotshells, I have been looking at my inventory and decided I could spread some 16 gauge 2 1/2" low pressure shot shells around. So I'm bringing a flat. Mix of RST and Gamebore. Won't be target load prices FYI. I've recently bought some RST 20 gauge in the US and prices are up 50% from where they were pre Covid.
Yes.
Please read.....an overview of the event details
Guidelines and Pricing
The first thing upon arrival is for all non-members of the Oshawa Clay and Target Club to register with James (Canvasback), and fill out the guest sign-in form.
After you have received and completed your form you can proceed into the clubhouse and pay the $25 guest fee, and this payment can be made by cash, debit or credit.
Note that all visitors to the club require a PAL to be on the club property and attend.
Target rounds for skeet, trap and 5-stand will cost $8 per 1 round of 25 targets and must be purchased directly through me, Michael (ParksPipes), and in CASH ONLY.
Technically speaking all of those attending The Double Gun Classic who are not members, or guests of other members, will be doing so as a ‘guest ‘ of mine, and target rounds must be paid for and loaded through my card.
Regarding ammo the clubhouse may have some 12 gauge x 2 ¾” target shells available for sale, however it would be best if you brought your own.
Supply has been irregular (everywhere) in the past year or so and you wouldn’t want to end up without shells.
Note that shells need to be target loads, sizes #7.5, #8 and #9.
Shooting glasses and ear protection are also required.
Lots of fantastic guns will be present and all who attend are encouraged to bring their Side-by-Sides to show.
Picnic tables are provided on which to display the guns, and they’re located beneath an outdoor covered shelter, however you may want to bring a cloth to cover the table.
Or if it’s reasonably convenient you may want to bring a table and/or smaller shelter of your own.
Also a comfortable camping chair is always recommended!
Lastly if you have SXS’s and/or related things that you’d like to sell that is also welcome.
As noted in an earlier post there will be a sporting books vendor present, for example, and definitely some used guns for sale too.
Food
The clubhouse has a canteen restaurant where coffee, cold drinks and food can be purchased.
I’ve mentioned to the cook that we’ll be there on Saturday and it’s rumoured he’s going to make up some perogies especially for the day!
They’ve also got bacon and egg breakfasts and burgers, etc.
Location and Time
Oshawa Clay and Target Club, 5245 Wilson Rd N., Oshawa, ON L9L 1B3. Phone : 905-985-7763.
10:00am -3:00pm Saturday, June 4th.
So that's it and I can't wait for Saturday, the weather looks promising and it's going to be a fantastic day!
The 6th Annual Double Gun Classic
Guidelines and Pricing
The first thing upon arrival is for all non-members of the Oshawa Clay and Target Club to register with James (Canvasback), and fill out the guest sign-in form.
After you have received and completed your form you can proceed into the clubhouse and pay the $25 guest fee, and this payment can be made by cash, debit or credit.
Note that all visitors to the club require a PAL to be on the club property and attend.
Target rounds for skeet, trap and 5-stand will cost $8 per 1 round of 25 targets and must be purchased directly through me, Michael (ParksPipes), and in CASH ONLY.
Technically speaking all of those attending The Double Gun Classic who are not members, or guests of other members, will be doing so as a ‘guest ‘ of mine, and target rounds must be paid for and loaded through my card.
Regarding ammo the clubhouse may have some 12 gauge x 2 ¾” target shells available for sale, however it would be best if you brought your own.
Supply has been irregular (everywhere) in the past year or so and you wouldn’t want to end up without shells.
Note that shells need to be target loads, sizes #7.5, #8 and #9.
Shooting glasses and ear protection are also required.
Lots of fantastic guns will be present and all who attend are encouraged to bring their Side-by-Sides to show.
Picnic tables are provided on which to display the guns, and they’re located beneath an outdoor covered shelter, however you may want to bring a cloth to cover the table.
Or if it’s reasonably convenient you may want to bring a table and/or smaller shelter of your own.
Also a comfortable camping chair is always recommended!
Lastly if you have SXS’s and/or related things that you’d like to sell that is also welcome.
As noted in an earlier post there will be a sporting books vendor present, for example, and definitely some used guns for sale too.
Food
The clubhouse has a canteen restaurant where coffee, cold drinks and food can be purchased.
I’ve mentioned to the cook that we’ll be there on Saturday and it’s rumoured he’s going to make up some perogies especially for the day!
They’ve also got bacon and egg breakfasts and burgers, etc.
Location and Time
Oshawa Clay and Target Club, 5245 Wilson Rd N., Oshawa, ON L9L 1B3. Phone : 905-985-7763.
10:00am -3:00pm Saturday, June 4th.
So that's it and I can't wait for Saturday, the weather looks promising and it's going to be a fantastic day!
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Perogies!!!!!
I'm from Winnipeg. Perogies are my native food!!!!
Excellent post Mike and thanks for covering all those details.
To all who have been before, you are noticing a change in the method of paying for the skeet rounds. This is specifically due to a change in the hardware used by the club since we last got together. So we have no choice but to do it this way. A bit of a pain in the neck having to do cash, but I'm sure you will all manage. Just make sure you have cash on you. I would doubt there is an ATM on site.
Weather is looking great! See you Saturday.
James
I'm from Winnipeg. Perogies are my native food!!!!
Excellent post Mike and thanks for covering all those details.
To all who have been before, you are noticing a change in the method of paying for the skeet rounds. This is specifically due to a change in the hardware used by the club since we last got together. So we have no choice but to do it this way. A bit of a pain in the neck having to do cash, but I'm sure you will all manage. Just make sure you have cash on you. I would doubt there is an ATM on site.
Weather is looking great! See you Saturday.
James
1963beretta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vaughan, Ontario
Well that was fun gentlemen! It was great seeing all of you again even though its been 3 hours and I’m still thawing out...
Londonshooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Thanks Michael and James for organizing/coordinating this event.
There were some fantastic guns to ogle. That is putting it mildly. Got to meet Mr. Dawe which was a surprise. Congrats to Mike for best gun with his Famars. An exquisite hammer.
Sorry, was that a spoiler?
There were some fantastic guns to ogle. That is putting it mildly. Got to meet Mr. Dawe which was a surprise. Congrats to Mike for best gun with his Famars. An exquisite hammer.
Sorry, was that a spoiler?
