When I was shopping I looked hard at 24s and 23s. I like old winchesters, especially model 12s, have a bit of a passion for those. Couldn't find a 24 or 23 in condition at a price I could stomaches tho. The 23s are pushing up at 21 prices which I guess is my "Grail Gun."I have a half dozen or so Winchester 24's and a good selection of Essex (sold by Belknap Hardware in Louisville, Ky) and Stevens.
I use to have a dozen of so more but got in a mood and sold them off...
Truly a you only live once moment. Did the gun survive? Did your shoulder?For a while I had a Stoeger Coach Gun in stainless with polymer stocks, and 3" chambers. When I first got it, I loaded 2 3" magnum 00 buck loads, put it up to my shoulder, and thought to myself, "I should just go ahead and fire both barrels at once."
Don't do that.
No idea about "Essex" -- was it its own company? Rebrand from someone else?I have a half dozen or so Winchester 24's and a good selection of Essex (sold by Belknap Hardware in Louisville, Ky) and Stevens.
I use to have a dozen of so more but got in a mood and sold them off...
Mostly 'Cresent Arms' but some others thrown in as well.No idea about "Essex" -- was it its own company? Rebrand from someone else?
Sounds very cool -- if you have it out of the safe some time toss a picture up!Mostly 'Cresent Arms' but some others thrown in as well.
I have a sweet little double 20ga 2 trigger that even has cocking indicators on the side of the receiver to let you know if loaded or which is loaded. It is a Cresent, tho 'Cresent' doesn't appear anywhere on the gun.
The gun survived fine. My shoulder was pretty sore for a while though.Truly a you only live once moment. Did the gun survive? Did your shoulder?
I spent several yrs collecting nothing but older double guns. Most were semi-decrepit old British doubles I bought mostly to have examples of all the different locking and opening systems,.....not necessarily to shoot. Navy Arms was importing container loads of shotguns from England at the time and selling them pretty cheap. I'd pick up 3-4 at a time at OGCA every other month. Finally broke down and flew out to NJ where they allowed me to pick through their inventory for an entire day. Boxed up and shipped home a couple dozen in one lot. Fun times!
This gun didn't come from that source but from a fairly high-end collector's shop. Pictured here because it's one of the most unique guns I have. Double barrel O/U rifle in some large Euro caliber close to .45-120. Austrian double trigger rotary underlever, very nicely built and finished. Paid pretty good money for this one but I've never seen anything like it before and just had to have it.
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Growing up in NJ my Dad and I used to rummage at Navy Arms all the time way back when Val Forget Sr. was alive. We bought tons of stuff back then that I wish I still possessed. Ah, memories! Loved your story!!!I spent several yrs collecting nothing but older double guns. Most were semi-decrepit old British doubles I bought mostly to have examples of all the different locking and opening systems,.....not necessarily to shoot. Navy Arms was importing container loads of shotguns from England at the time and selling them pretty cheap. I'd pick up 3-4 at a time at OGCA every other month. Finally broke down and flew out to NJ where they allowed me to pick through their inventory for an entire day. Boxed up and shipped home a couple dozen in one lot. Fun times!
This gun didn't come from that source but from a fairly high-end collector's shop. Pictured here because it's one of the most unique guns I have. Double barrel O/U rifle in some large Euro caliber close to .45-120. Austrian double trigger rotary underlever, very nicely built and finished. Paid pretty good money for this one but I've never seen anything like it before and just had to have it.
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I saw one of those on Gunbroker in .30-06 a few years ago for about $800. I've regretted not buying it ever since.I've been trying to find a baikal/remington side by side 45-70 for a few years now. Eventually gave up, but if anyone finds one around I'd love to catch wind of it.