The Sporting Life?

[Michaelshane]

[/IMG]

 

[rumblefish]

Is there anyone else out there who carries their passion for "vintage" to the field?

"Doublegun"

Yes! Just about everything in the field I wear these days is more on the classic side; waxed cotton, cotton suspenders, button shirts, fedoras, etc. All while I endure comments like "Where you goin' dressed like that", by my brother and friends dressed in acrylic blaze or nylon camo. Fly fishing in freshwater and some salt water is a bit of the same. Although there is some salt water fishing I just wouldn't bother trying stay vintage.

I hunt with some older guns when I can, and a 28 Ga. SxS, but not like the classics you mentioned. I think you may bump into a few good people here that think and hunt/fish the way you do.

Do check out the "Show us your Guns" thread in the "Display Case".

Welcome Doublegun!

 

[JJWord]

I was contemplating taking my Akubra on a week-long fishing trip, but its about to get dropped off at Gary White's for cleaning and might not be done in time. Plus its my only hat at the moment, and the idea of a strong wind taking it down lake is well...horrifying.

Guess it will be a week on the boat with a ball cap or my boonie.

 

[Doublegun]

I actually tried an Akubra (Indiana Jones) and really did not care for the way it looked on my head. It made my mellon look considerably larger than it already does. I felt like people would say "wow, that guy has a BIG hat on his head. The only hat I own is a Borsellino Como, which I enjoy wearing. However, it will be a long time before I am wearing it hunting. I guess I like the higher crowned hats (Like Nick Charles's in the Thin Man Movies) but I felt rediculous with the Akurba.

 

[Doublegun]

Michael,

Other than the relatively few LeFever guns actually produced "Elsies" are the only American sidelock. Judging from the pictures of yours, it is in great shape. Good color on the receiver. Some of their higher grade guns, most of which were 12 ga, have the best engraving of any American gun. I would love to own one but even I have limits on what I'll spend on a shotgun.

Doublegun

 

[Mountain Pilot]

Welcome...and you need to check out the Royal Orderof Eduardian Shotgunners!

www.vintagers.org

I'm a member of the Colorado Chapter "Hammers Back"

 

["Skeet" McD]

I saw the pictures of your Red and White setter on the other board. Beautiful dog. I have to confess that I had no idea anyone was still breeding those dogs. Looks exactly like dogs painted by Osthause back in the 1880's.

Brag dog time He IS a beautiful dog (and a good 'un, too); this photo does him justice...when he was about 4 (he'll be 12 in a month)...

http://gallery.me.com/finiancircle#100014/XmasEveDan

 

[shortbow]

In reply I draw your attention to my avatar. Welcome aboard and keep your powder dry.

 

[Chasseur]

Welcome,

I am a newby too and I also love double guns and vintage/European hunting attire/traditions. I love collected vintage hunting items as well. If there was a Hawaii chapter of the Vintagers I would join it. However, we have lots of Indian game here to hunt, so I just pretend I am following in the footsteps of Forsyth in foothills of Central India...

Some guns:

1950s French artisan SxS 12 bore, my favorite bird gun:

Brace of Francolin with my "modern" SxS Fabarm: (alas not my jalopy...)

European woodcock and vintage drilling:

European hunting:

Driven partridge and pheasant shooting south of Paris:

Stalking red stag in the Pyrannes:

Already for the battue or driven hunt:

 

[Tomasso]

I'd love to see some pix of member's field dogs.

 

[Chasseur]

I forgot to add, Doublegun and Michael, great looking Parker and LC there!

 

[Doublegun]

Well it certainly appears that I have found myself among kindred spirits at the FL. Thanks for the warm welcome.

 

[PistolPete1969]

Not a hunter, but been an "outdoorsman" for a long time.

Started fly-fishing in Washington state with a beautiful original 1920's-era split-bamboo fly rod. It unfortunately disappeared in one of my many moves. The vintage fly-rod was accompanied by a 1940's vintage Stetson OR I picked up at a thrift store in downtown Seattle.

I am an avid shooter and thrive on vintage firearms. I have owned & shot many pre-WWII pistols and rifles. Here is my modest collection:

 

["Skeet" McD]

I am a newby too and I also love double guns and vintage/European hunting attire/traditions. I love collected vintage hunting items as well. If there was a Hawaii chapter of the Vintagers I would join it. However, we have lots of Indian game here to hunt, so I just pretend I am following in the footsteps of Forsyth in foothills of Central India...

Salut, Chasseur, notre frere sportif! What a magnificent beat you hunt at home! How do you keep your mind on your sport?

And such lovely guns--and birds. Thank you for sharing them with us.

Honneur a St. Hubert!

"Skeet"

 

["Skeet" McD]

The Brotherhood of Sportsmen; a vintage fishing hat...

Not a hunter, but been an "outdoorsman" for a long time....Started fly-fishing in Washington state with a beautiful original 1920's-era split-bamboo fly rod. It unfortunately disappeared in one of my many moves...

Well....it's easy to see how you came up with your monniker! Nice guns....no need to apologize about not being a hunter....we're all outdoorsmen, and there's more that binds us based on an appreciation of the beauties to be found there--not to mention the particular take we all have on it: an attraction to a formality and way of life that is....well, not exactly in the ascendent just now....than separates us in what we actually do once we get there. I'm sure my heart isn't the only one that got a thud about your fly rod....so sorry.

I'm not a fisherman...yet; I do buy the odd thing "just in case"...but, as I don't really care for fish, doubt I'll ever get around to it. I'd prefer not to kill anything I don't eat. My wife, however, grew up fly fishing with her Dad in Michigan...I'm posting a few pictures of her fishing hat. Now if I could just convince her to go vintage the REST of the way. She's indulged me by dressing properly--and very well--for the vintage Skeet shoots I've run, but history just doesn't speak to her. At least it hasn't yet....

http://gallery.me.com/finiancircle#100014/DSCF1840
http://gallery.me.com/finiancircle#100014/DSCF1839&bgcolor=black
http://gallery.me.com/finiancircle#100014/DSCF1841&bgcolor=black
http://gallery.me.com/finiancircle#100014/DSCF1843&bgcolor=black
http://gallery.me.com/finiancircle#100014/DSCF1842&bgcolor=black

I'm not enough of a hat fetis.....ummmm.."afficianado"... to know either the age or original quality of this hat....but I'm betting someone reading this right now can tell us. I'm guessing 1950s and not too bad...it surely was one of Cindi's dad's, and I expect was bought for daily wear before it began its tumble down and out....to the middle of the Au Sable river. And then passed on to his daughter. So, Doublegun...here's a live example of the sort of thing we were talking about a few posts ago.

Cheers,
"Skeet"

 

["Skeet" McD]

Sporting Fobs....

Brother Sports,
Here are two silver watch fobs with sporting motives: the first, a very continental-looking gunner:
http://gallery.me.com/finiancircle#100014/DSCF1696

and the second, a very American-looking fisherman:
http://gallery.me.com/finiancircle#100014/DSCF1876&bgcolor=black

I wish I could show you the third...it was my favorite, showing a breeches-clad sport gunning over his dog, mid-teens, I'd guess. I used to wear it afield, with the fob hanging out of one of the breast pockets on my gunning vest. You can see the end of the story, no doubt....pushing through some thick stuff, I came out...but the fob, the strap, and the bow of the watch didn't. Looked and looked, came back the next day with a metal detector, and (as I know right where it must have happened) have looked every season since. I can only hope, somewhat ruefully, that someone else is enjoying their chance find....

Anyone else have some of these they'd like to share with us?

"Skeet"

 

[Doublegun]

Ok, opportunity to learn here: so how would you describe "C's" hat? How high a crown? How wide the brim? That sort of thing?

I would really like to find that type of hat, old or new.

Thanks

 

[Chasseur]

Merci Skeet!

Hunting here is quite good, and there are opportunities year round. You just have to be flexible and willing to travel to other islands.

Doublegun and others, nice fly rods! I've never gotten into fly fishing though I've thought of it often.

 

["Skeet" McD]

Further to the Headgear Question....

Hello Lads,
Another thing I put on my head (although more for general woodsrunning and deer season) are the "Stormy" Kromer caps...they are a design dating back to the early 20C, and HAVE BEEN made the same way since...I say this because the seem recently to have decided to wh-re it up. Take home message: try to find old stock before it's all gone! It looks like they're going the Filson route... They're available in a number of colors. Here's one in situ:
http://gallery.me.com/finiancircle#100014/DSCF1901
http://gallery.me.com/finiancircle#100014/DSCF1900&bgcolor=black

Here's the URL for 'em:
http://www.stormykromer.com/

 

["Skeet" McD]

Shooting Gloves....

I've been very pleased with these gloves from Damascus:
Before
http://gallery.me.com/finiancircle#100014/DSCF1891

And after
http://gallery.me.com/finiancircle#100014/DSCF1902&bgcolor=black

Comparison
http://gallery.me.com/finiancircle#100014/DSCF1896&bgcolor=black

They are so thin you can pick up a dime with them; you'll forget you're wearing them. But they are great at protecting your hands. Our New England hills are FULL of prickers...as you can see. Not a scratch yet (on my hands, that is ) They offer a thinsulate pair as well; they're bulkier for sure, but still remarkably responsive. I've shot Skeet in them in 15° weather and the snow coming down....with warm hands, and no trouble loading or firing.

Best thing: unlike most gloves, you can still order these BY SIZE, not the several-sizes-fits-you-maybe norm these days. I have gotten about 5 years out of a pair, in general...and that's with lots of use and no special care. The leather has been fine....the seams in the fingers tend to open up.

Here's a good place to buy them from:
http://www.leatherglovesonline.com/pages2/mbr3a-d210.htm