Posted by Dick Miller on February 4, 2007, 2:48 pm
This is lengthy, so bear with me-- A friend of mine owns the above-mentioned Pigeon, witch is a two-barrel set, 30" F/F and 28# IC/M which has been and is a "closet queen". The former owner obtained a Cody letter on the gun, which confirms the information in Brophy's and John's book about date of manufacture (1901). Today I had an opportunity to examine it closely. It shows virtually no wear other than faded case on the frame, and sports a Prince of Wales stock, Hawkins pad with 13-1/4" LOP to back of pad from rear-position HUNTER ONE TRIGGER. Both barrel sets have their own splinter forend, and all numbers match. The amount of case color on the forend iron is equal, and the Nitro Steel stampings on the barrels are equally clear, as if they are the same age. Now--the questions. 1) Has anyone seen a 1901 gun with the Hunter-One trigger, as both books state that it wasn't available until 1904, and, 2) In the absence of the Cody letter not mentioning that it is a two-barrel set, is there any way I can satisfy myself that it wasn't fitted with the second barrels at a later date? As I mentioned earlier, there is virtually no wear on the gun, and--- yes-- I know the Hawkins pad is not correct! What say you?