|
By Sheila Link,
What is it, I wonder, that causes this instinctive response? I watched almost clinically recently, as I uncased a new 28-gauge double up at the gun club, and saw the same expressions cross the faces of nearby shooters. Reactions were almost identical. First, a small, slow smile, followed by an almost imperceptible nod of approval. It was very much the way a tiny, winsome child brings forth unbidden smiles. I'm sure I had the same reaction when I first saw that slender side-by-side. Why such a response to a side-by-side gun? Shotguns are made in a variety of actions, starting with single-barrel, break-open models. Some gunners prefer pump-actions above all others, while auto-loaders have a host of admirers, especially among trap shooters and waterfowlers. Some, but not all shotgunners, use double-barreled guns. One of the desirable attributes of a double is that it allows use of a different choke in each barrel. Most doubles nowadays are over/under models. For centuries, though, side-by-side doubles, have been the sure mark of class-of social standing, of style-particularly in Europe. These are the finely-wrought guns seen in old paintings that depict well-tailored gentlemen and an occasional gentle lady (accompanied by servants) poised to down a pheasant flushed for Milord's shooting pleasure. Not all side-by-side doubles are the beautifully crafted products of dedicated gunmakers, unfortunately. Double-barreled guns once provided the only way for a gunner to have a second shot without reloading. Most manufacturers simply placed a pair of barrels, one beside the other, or one on top of the other, using a common forend and buttstock. Most of these early doubles were neither very attractive nor very accurate, but they did allow a pair of rounds to be fired in quick succession. Even while run-of-the-mill shops were turning out workable but crude doubles, however, quality firearm makers produced double-barreled guns which were not only reasonably accurate, but also nicely made. A relatively few were attractive, with stocks of fine French or English walnut. These guns were generally highly embossed-some had gold inlays-and were quite pricey. These were, naturally, made for and owned by royalty and by wealthy sportsmen.
By the 1930s there was a spurt in production of "stacked" double-barrel guns. That is, rather than the barrels being side-by-side, they were stacked, one on top of the other. These were quickly designated as "over/unders." Over/unders (O/U) found quick acceptance and side-by-side models became ignored in favor of the stacked guns. Even this humble correspondent was swept along in the tide of O/U favor, and swore that she, "Didn't cant the O/U as she does the side-by-side" Time passes, however, and if we're not unwilling, we manage to become somewhat better informed, or at least we're exposed to various intriguing stimuli. Thus it was, at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in February, that I caught a glimpse of a slender, graceful shotgun in a cabinet at the C-Z exhibit booth. I imagine a soft smile came to my face, followed by a nod of approval, as I walked, mesmerized, toward that case. A gentleman standing nearby turned and asked if I'd like to look at the gun, "We call this one the 'Ringneck,'" he said, opening the latch and handing it to me. I looked at the sidelocks, which were of hand-embossed case-hardened steel, noted that instead of ejectors, it had extractors, and saw that there was just one trigger. My word! It contained all the features I preferred.
The Turkish walnut stock featured hand-checkering, 20 lines-to-the-inch, and wood-to-metal fit was quite nice. This dandy little smoothbore wasn't created by mounting 28-gauge barrels and action on a 20-gauge frame, but was, instead, a true 28-gauge gun built on a petite 28-gauge frame. That's what gives it the proportion and balance rarely found on production guns. "Would you like to look at another-perhaps a 20-gauge model?" the gentleman asked. By this time he'd introduced himself as Jason Morton. "No, thanks, I'm more interested in a twenty-eight," I replied, adding, "This is a particularly attractive gun, and quite light. It'd be ideal for bobwhites" "You bet," Jason answered, "In fact we have a similar model, also a 28-gauge, with double triggers and an English straight stock, which we call the "Bobwhite." He reached into the same case, to bring out the gun he described. It was as pretty as the Ringneck, but I am not a lover of double triggers, having been "dinged" more than once with the bulky 12-gauge I use in Cowboy shoots.
When the gun arrived I had the stock shortened for my comfort. Then I put it to the patterning board test, using all five chokes which are furnished with the Ringneck. "You can't fault that gun at all," a shooter who was watching said. "Both barrels hit in the same area, no matter which chokes you use!" "That's right," I agreed. "Now, if I miss a bird, I'm going to have to take all the blame myself." Hunting seasons were over, but I shot skeet with the CZ gun and found the slender little double functioned as flawlessly as its appearance promised. I enjoy having extractors because I reload shotshells and the 28 hulls are too valuable to let ejectors toss 'em aside. Extractors allow me to grab empties from the chamber, and drop them into the mesh bag hanging from my belt. There's one serious problem with C-Z's Ringneck. It's virtually perfect. It's just what I've been wanting. And that presents the usual dilemma: The consignment period is about to end. How can I possibly justify buying yet another gun? But can I bear to send it back? The answer of course is, "No-I cannot send it back!" And so I shall request a statement, pull out my checkbook, and clutch this latest, lovely acquisition to my bosom. Then, "Watch out, bobwhites, ringneck pheasants, and clay birds everywhere!"
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
It's a funny thing about guns. Whether one's taste
runs to auto-load 45s, single-action revolvers, pump or auto
shotguns, rifles in rimfire .22, or husky big bore calibers,
we all have a soft spot for a special smoothbore. Personal preference
aside, shooters almost always react with a certain amount of
awe at the sight and heft of a classic, slender side-by-side
shot-gun.
In time, more gunsmiths began refining rough, readily
available double-barreled guns. They worked for a more compact
"package" but were concerned as well with the goal
of aligning both barrels so they threw shot at the same point-of-aim
at a 30-yard target. This is not a simple task and it meant,
among other factors, that each gun had to be made individually.
Mass production, even of the stocks, wasn't an option. The forends,
in particular, which hold the barrels in alignment, had to fit
a specific pair of barrels. Thus double-gun manufacture is more
labor-intensive than producing pump guns or even auto-loaders.
I was hesitant to bring it to my shoulder, certain
I'd be disappointed in the way it felt, but that was the obvious
next step, so I snapped the gun shut and lifted it. Dear me,
it came into my shoulder as though it belonged there. I lowered
the Ringneck and inspected it more intently. It had the graceful
lines of English guns used in driven bird shoots.
Jason suggested that he'd like to send me a Ringneck
on consignment, in order to test and evaluate it for readers
of Women & Guns. He didn't have to twist my arm-I hated to
hand back the pretty side-by-side. We agreed that, for a better
fit, I'd have to reduce the length-of-pull. Jason assured me
that he had no problem with that.
