I had been shooting side-by-side muzzleloading hammer shotguns for a number of years when I first visited the Southern Side-by-Side Championships and Exhibition at Deep River Sporting Clays near Sanford, North Carolina. In addition to the shooting matches, there were three large tents and an 18-wheeler full of exhibitors from the United States and Europe. There was no admission fee to visit the exhibitors and do some shopping on the side.
In the early 2000s, I decided to seriously look for an antique cartridge, double-barrel hammer shotgun. Robert Brown from England had a booth with such shotguns and the accouterments to go with them. Two of his offerings caught my attention. One was a double-barrel hammerless Greener. However, I was looking for a hammer gun, and the other was a pretty little double-barrel, side-lock hammer shotgun resting in a case lined with red felt that included a two-piece cleaning rod.
This fully refinished hammer shotgun had been sleeved with 28-inch full and full barrels and nitro proofed for 2¾-inch shells. The rib was engraved with the following: “WS RILEY. EAGLE GUN WORKS BIRMINGHAM & 63 BISHOPSGATE ST. WITHIN LONDON. FIRST PRIZE SYDNEY EXHIBITION 1879”.
I am sure this meant that Eagle Gun Works got the award and not this specific shotgun. The fully engraved locks each had a banner with “W.S. RILEY” engraved on them. The top tang, fences, hammers and action bar were all fully engraved.
The butt was checkered with engraved heel and toe plates. The forearm had an Anson push-rod fastener. Even more importantly, the shotgun handled as though it had been specifically made for me. In any event, after some serious bargaining, we agreed on a price and this little shotgun had a new home. Later that evening, I looked up William Sparks Riley in Boothroyds’ Revised Directory of British Gunmakers (1997). This gave me little information except that W.S. Riley was at Eagle Gun Factory, Stafford Street, Birmingham (1868-1880). I also visited the Ancestor Department at the Church of Latter-day Saints which has census records for Great Britain that provided considerable information.
Esta historia es de la edición Winter 2017 de The Black Powder Cartridge News.
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Esta historia es de la edición Winter 2017 de The Black Powder Cartridge News.
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ON HUNTING AND SNIPING
Long-range target shooting here in the U.S. has become increasingly popular, at least since the first International Match with the Irish team in 1874.
Death in the Desert
This Colt .45 “Peacemaker” was found out in the desert in historically one of the most dangerous places on Earth.
A COVID-19 Project
As far as the COVID-19 pandemic is concerned, I can’t find much good to say about it. One thing I can say, though; I had a lot of idle time on my hands. After perusing YouTube videos during this time of lockdown, I came across a company that makes rifle kits – Kibler’s Long Rifles.
Smithmoor .22 Offhand Target Championship NSmithmoor Rangen Carpenter, Wyoming – February 20-21, 2021
The Smithmoor .22 Offhand Target Championship held February 20-21, was a great success! It was a two-day match with 50 record shots per day on the 100-yard German Ring Target from SPG Sales (blackpowderspg.com). Wyoming Schuetzen Union rules were used.
A .40 Caliber Long-Range Rifle
During a recent stay in New Zealand, we found ourselves in Rotorua, which is the stomping grounds of expert Kiwi rifleman, Laurie Kerr. Laurie has been a friend since we first met at Raton, New Mexico, a number of years ago and we have managed to stay in relatively good communication ever since.
BE MORE THAN A Wannabe PART II
Since my first article was published in Issue No. 113 of The Black Powder Cartridge News, I have received several emails and groups from readers.
The Hide Hunting Exploits of HARRY “SAM” YOUNG
It’s difficult now to remember exactly where I first read or heard about Hard Knocks by Harry “Sam” Young. The book is an extremely entertaining read and in the Publisher’s Note, it specifically states, “The great lesson of this book is that “truth is stranger than fiction.”
Match Results
World’s Largest Black Powder Target Rifle Match Phoenix, Arizona – March 1-10, 2021 BEN AVERY SHOOTING FACILITY
The Wyoming Schuetzen Union's “Center Shot”
John Bodine, “Old Reliable”
Who Was Albert F. Mitchell?
When somebody hears the words “Sharps rifle,” the first things that probably come to mind are the great buffalo hunts, the “Wild and Wooly West” and tales of long-range shots, Indian attacks, and hunters freezing in blizzards.
