Scatter gun

This is an old shotgun, probably dating from the 20's or 30's. It's a 12 gauge Western Field shotgun, a popular catalog model of the time. This is an odd duck (as it were) for fowling pieces because it's a bolt action with a two-round box magazine. Shotguns tend to be break action (either single shot, side by side double, or over and under double) or pump. A bolt action shotgun is at first blush an odd choice, but in the abstract, the bolt action allows for a reload without altering the sighting (i.e. you don't have to lower the gun to chamber another round), although the other common shotgun designs do this as well.

This shotgun was owned by a famous decoy carver in the Chincoteague, VA area, although I have misplaced the card with his name on it. It shows plenty of use as well as care, and would make a fine and serviceable goose or duck gun for those rainy mornings on the marsh. I've been thinking of cutting it down to a shorter (yet legal) length as a home defense piece...but I already have several of those ready to press into service. I may just leave it alone until the boy is old enough to learn to shoot.