The joy of shooting an old gun

I get much enjoyment from using vintage doubles. They possess a certain character that modern doubles dont have unless you spend a high dollar amount
The tools of yesteryear were built with pride whereas now a days it seems like a race to the bottom where margins are the only thing manufacturers care about.
For the cost of a new entry level double one can get a fine gun of quality from retailers like intersurplus if you can look passed a few bumps and bruises and honest wear.
I've purchased around a dozen or so from intersurplus and all have been as or better than described
Each have been enjoyed and none were over $1800
 
I have wandered down the double gun road now for a while and have truly come to appreciate the craftsman of the past. Have a few now that I am fond of including my Jeffrey and Dougall. My newest addition from box lock Midland has not been out hunting yet but have shot clays and find it truly fun to shoot . Guess that is what it is about. Have liquidated quite a few of my semi's and pumps in favour of both old and new "two holers" some of best quality some just because I like them. One thing is I endeavour to use them all,.:)
 
I like em old too.
I just refinished a 1968 BSA royal featherweight in 243. Complete w period Weaver 4x scope and original sling.
Shoots 85gr Speer at 3175ft/sec from a 20" barrel and I never missed at 200 and 300yrds a few weeks ago.
Cost me $500 from a member here on CGN and a few hrs of work to clean up and refinished the stock.
It has the factory "Besa" muzzle brake and shoots like a 223. Awesome rifle
Hoping to get a pig or antelope with it.
I'm proud to carry it.
Cheers
 
Those old BSA rifles are excellent and way undervalued on the used gun market. Had a Regent in 222 Remington that was very accurate. Over 70 separate machining operations to produce a single action. Sold for about 30% more than a pre64 Winchester model 70 in the 1950's.
 
That Francotte was a nice find. I would be doing a strip and clean followed by getting the ejector and lockup issues professionally addressed.
Then sell it of course because it doesn't fit and buy another hammer gun which might not fit either and probably has its own issues.
 
Mike Webb said:
Nice gun. That 9.3x 74 ? Look like asparagus.
Click to expand...
The drilling is a 16x16/ 9.3x72R , German proofs but no maker stamp.
The bottom gun is my prized Westely Richards 12 that I had a friend restored 11 years ago .It's my main bird gun, ad the one I was shooting in the video🙂
Cat
 
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I tend to migrate to older guns and well as newer guns but build on old platforms (current build flintlocks for example). Hard to make out but this is my main rifle safe, muzzleloaders on the left, suppository rifles on the right. IMG_3022.jpeg And my shotgun safe, shotguns on the left, .22’s on the right. IMG_3021.jpeg Shotguns are almost all sxs’s, rifles are either falling block or lever, .22’s are lever, pump or falling block. I own one bolt action and I gave it to a neighbour, a single shot USSR thing in .22LR, ugly as sin but shot like gang busters.
 
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The joy of shooting an old gun is sometimes enhanced by something new guns can rarely match:

Provenance

Old guns often have a rich history, sometimes including having been owned or used by a respected or a notorious individual. Or, because they were used against such an individual. Other times they are associated with pivotal historic events.

There can also be personal reasons that provenance becomes important. For me, guns that belonged to my Great Grandfather, my Grandfather, and/or my Dad hold special significance. I see maintaining and hunting with their guns (especially on their birthdays) as a sign of remembrance and respect.

For others, the country of origin is the key.

Taking an old gun that is no longer functional and restoring it to its former glory is a particularly satisfying accomplishment. Then, taking the newly repaired gun out on a hunt or a shoot is the icing on the cake.

With or without provenance, let's not forget the simple pleasure that comes from walking the same trail that those who came before us walked; hunting the same game with the same gun designs that were available at the time. This alone explains the popularity of CAS (Cowboy Action Shooting, where you even get to wear the same clothes). This is also part of the attraction to black powder trails at shooting ranges.

Without question, I've definitely bought more old guns than new guns over the years.
 
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Older Canadian made hinge single shotguns are my retirement hobby. I enjoy bringing beaters back to life. They were built so well back then, a little bit of TLC and they are ready for another 50 or more years. Fun to shoot and even better with the history real or imagined!
 
I have a gun from the 1970s. I count that as brand new.

I have a gun from the 1950s. That's just about new.

My "between the wars" guns are modern.

My pre WW1 guns are nicely broken in.
 
I too have old (1883) newer (1910) somewhat newer (1930) post war (1947?) and my Canadian Malin 1980 sxs. Probably would not have any if I had not been a part of this forum so glad that I literally took a chance. The sxs doubles event next month should be fun at the club thinking I might shoot the Dougall with black powder :)
 
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