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November 7, 2015
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Bought a very well-used but apparently solid 1897 BD Trap Gun from a friend at the TGCA Show yesterday. As Bert opined it is an old workhorse.
Not much in the way of pics, didn’t get unloaded in time to take some in natural light. Butt stock has the expected exceptional wood found on most Black Diamond shotguns. The fore end wood has been replaced but at least they found a checkered piece to replace the original. According to Jesi it shipped March 23, 1900 with a 30” barrel but I bought it with a 26” barrel marked “MOD”. Not sure what “Consigned” means, I suppose it was ordered by a jobber. It looked right so I bought it before I heard back from Jesi, I figure if it had lettered with a 26” mod I would have wanted to give my friend some more money. As Bert pointed out it does have two R&R’s on the ledger so it’s hard to say much for sure. I bought it to shoot an occasional round of skeet to entertain myself and the other vintage gun fans at my club. It will look nice next to my Model 12 Black Diamond Trap Gun. It’s a bit gummed up but all the pieces seem to be in the right places so I figure all it needs is a detail cleaning before I head for the Skeet field.
Mike
Az
Mike, isn’t it fun when the Forum does this to pictures. Or did you stand on your head when you took these?
November 7, 2015
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Chuck said
Mike, isn’t it fun when the Forum does this to pictures. Or did you stand on your head when you took these?
Yep, I figure it’s my iPad doing it’s own thing. They were right side up when they were on my iPhone and iPad. Not sure where the “Az” came from. I’ll try to do better on my 1894 when I get a chance to take some pics.
Mike
November 7, 2015
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At Bert’s urging I examined the bottom of the barrel for markings. I also took a peek down the bore and thought I saw some constriction near the muzzle. Measured the diameter and found it was .710”, indicating a modified choke. That may very well explain one of the two R&R’s.
Mike
TXGunNut said
At Bert’s urging I examined the bottom of the barrel for markings. I also took a peek down the bore and thought I saw some constriction near the muzzle. Measured the diameter and found it was .710”, indicating a modified choke. That may very well explain one of the two R&R’s.
Mike
I am of the opinion that the original 30-inch Full choke barrel was replaced with the 26-inch MOD choke barrel during one of the two R&R trips back to Winchester.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Bert H. said
I am of the opinion that the original 30-inch Full choke barrel was replaced with the 26-inch MOD choke barrel during one of the two R&R trips back to Winchester.
Bert
Thanks, Bert. I’m inclined to agree, other than the replaced fore end wood this gun this gun just “looks right”. I’ve certainly been wrong before but that is the most logical explanation given the ledger entries and the current configuration.
If anyone has a fore end lying around that will more closely match the butt I’ll certainly be interested in talking with you.
Week is looking crazy already but I’m betting I’ll find the time to get the action of this gun cleaned up in time to shoot a round (or two) of Skeet or Trap this weekend. It would have made a better Skeet gun with a sawed-off barrel but it’s damn sure more interesting as it turned out.
Mike
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