Serious matters

An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning

Third Gun: Holland & Holland — bought 1889. Bore 1½in — length of barrel 8ft 3in. Load 4oz. Powder; 20oz shot. In 1890 8¼in blew off the end of the barrel. The jagged end was cut off and the gun shot better than ever. Nickel plated 1892.”

This is an excerpt from the first page of a gamebook that came into my possession by a circuitous route some years ago. It is the only gamebook I have come across that is laid out specifically for use by a punt-gunner in pursuit of wildfowl, having columns for up to five shots for each recorded outing as well as headings for birds bagged including “Mallard — Teal — Widgeon”, “Geese”, with “Curlew” and “Green and Golden Plover” under “Various”. It is a record of a very different time.