Model 24 Winchester 12 GA side-by-side. It was my dad's. Serial number showed it was from the first year of manufacture, 1939. I've owned four other 12 gauge shotguns including Browning Citorri. This old Winchester shot better than any of the others. 2 3/4" shells are fine by me. I gave it to my nephew and he is proud as all get out. They recently took it out and did some shooting, he said it still works fine.
My dad would take to the fields when we farmed, would bring back rabbit or pheasant. When I was 14 I was allowed to hunt with him and my older brother, used a .410 for a couple years then got my own 12 ga. I got this one when he passed, my brother got hs Stevens .22 single shot.
My passion is "old" guns as I believe the quality of anything made pre-1970 is far superior to what is available now. My hands down favorite is my 1946 Winchester Model 71 in the obsolete .348. Great 150-yard gun and the deep report is like nothing else out there. Next favorite is a 1923 Remington Model 12 .22 pump. A close 3rd from 1917 is the Winchester Model 1894 in the .38-55.
The first gun I ever owned, is a Glenfield Marlin 25. It shoots just as well today as it did when I got it back in 1976. But, my favorite is a 1914 Swedish Mauser. The rifle is completely original and has all matching numbers. It's almost new looking and shoots like a dream. A close second would be a Finnish M91/30 I picked up a couple of years back. It's a very accurate rifle and is a ball of fun to shoot. I also have a K31 that could be a contender for favorite old rifle if I had more ammo for it.
For me it would have to be my 1936 K-98k. It was made when they did a deep blue finish instead of the rougher black finish.
Good natural point of aim when you put it into your shoulder, smooth bolt, tight rifleing.
I ahve taken many deer of the years with it.