The Nicest Shotgun You've Ever Had

Very nice. I've owned alot of nice guns, hard to put my finger on which I'd say was nicest but in my current collection I'd have to say a 1927 Ithaca NID4E. Bottom gun in the pic.
 

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IMG_0415[1].jpgIMG_0414[1].jpgIMG_0416[1].jpgIMG_0390[1].jpgIMG_0393[1].jpgIMG_0395[1].jpg Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think Id own many of the fine firearms I have. These are the tops of what I own and only because of knowing great people involved that enrich our shooting heritage. Only because of knowing and proudly calling my friend was I afforded the opportunity of owning this once in a life time Perazzi MX 8 Mirage two barrel set engraved by master Angelo Galliattzi. Thank you Daniel Banting! The other is a recent aquisition, because of the wood that gave me wood, Haha. Its as most will know, a Beretta 687 EELL Pigeon Sporting! I work with wood so I just couldnt leave this alone. Thanks too a great Nutr Ol Scotch, a true gentleman and a great new friend. He drinks the same as me soooh whats not too like.
 

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I had almost forgotten about the Browning 625 Sporting I had a few years ago, beautiful gun as well! So many amazing shotguns in this thread! Longstud, that 687 EELL is amazing and Daniel Banting is a true gentleman!
 
I’ll just second the notion that Dan Banting is a true gentleman. Don’t know him well but he reached out to me a number of years ago and I enjoyed every interaction I have had with him.
 
I once owned a Browning Superposed 20ga O/U with 26" bbls IC/M chokes.

I sold it into the States for a nice bundle at a time when we needed a few extra bucks. I miss that one a lot.
 
Nicest shotgun? What a difficult question, and I've struggled with how to respond.

The most effortlessly fluid and ergonomic shotgun I've ever lived with has to be an Ithaca Model 37 in 16 gauge. Carried on several continents and over 8,000 museum specimens later, it was an extension of my body in a way no other gun has managed to be. That is good design and flawless engineering, but it is not an expensive gun. I stupidly sold it.

The finest 'factory' gun I have is a Browning Superposed in 12 gauge, pre-Browning production by Fabrique National, dating from the first two weeks of production in 1930, with double triggers. It is perfection in (overcomplicated) design, engineering, and execution. It was made long before corners were considered to be cut, with production milling but hand finishing.

The cleverest I have by far is a Browning Double Automatic, designed by John Browning's son, Val. A rethink of the semi-auto that stands on its own in engineering brilliance, though fallen to obscurity for being in a gun no one ever found a use for.

My collection tastes are in hand-made vintage and antique doubles. At the level of 'best gun,' there really is no difference between a Boss & co., a Purdey, Holland, Woodward or any other of the top makers. Perfection is perfection, in terms of materials and craftsmanship, so none really stand out, for the most part.

The nicest of these that I hunt with is a 12-gauge slide-and-drop hammer double signed Charles William Lancaster of London, the epitome of 'London best,' made in 1864. It was made for the very first central-fire cartridges, and still works just fine.

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The finest of the pin-fires I have is a difficult choice, for the reasons described above. At a certain level of perfection, they are all pretty equal. But if I have to pick, a 12-bore bar-in-wood gun by John Rigby & Co. of Dublin, with a Joseph Needham patent action, made around 1868 or so, would be my choice. A hinge-action gun, with the hinge hidden behind wood. Everything about it, from the design to its execution, is as near perfect a hand-made gun can be.

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Honestly not sure. Probably my Greener apprentices Guild gun, or my Cogswell & Harrison,. It’s hard to pick just one.
 
That is a beautiful gun. I wish I had access to some of these just for photography work the work and craftsmanship is just astounding. Maybe one day!

B
 
MD12 said:
Beautiful gun, hoping it helps you achieve great results on the sporting course.
My nicest SG is an older Beretta S686. Definitely a ‘working class’ gun and not in the same league as other, but looks great to me.
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That’s what counts!
 
At the moment
CG Magnus special order set 12ga &20ga LH matched serial numbers nice guns
Parker VHE 12 ga 1928 beautifully restored
20 ga Parker 1923 CH
12 ha Parker Gh 12 ga
Browning 12ga supposed Pigeon grade

I have a few others but at the end of the day I would sell them all and keep the Parkers
I just like sxs’s and o/u ‘s
 
Mumbles Marble Mouth said:
Yesterday I took home my new sporting clays shotgun. I never would of thought I would ever own a shotgun of this tier level in my life.





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Very Nice MMM, my New in the Box 870 back in 1988 was the nicest shot gun I have owned.
The 79 Browning Citori was a close second ...as it was second hand...
Great pics to those who have posted such, very cool !
Rob
 
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