This gun belonged to my step grandfather, Saul, who I only met once. His grandson has it now (same cousin with the .454 Casull...). Apart from the craftsmanship, I love the darkened grip from the oil and perspiration in Saul’s hand. Saul had bird dogs and did a lot of duck hunting. This must have been one of Saul’s most prized possessions. My cousin says he has no intention of ever firing it again, and of handing it down to his son. (Note the epic gun room that’s hinted at in these pics.)
My cousin has a vast property in New Kent County, Virginia with an extraordinary home that he built himself. This rifle, in .45 caliber, is a muzzle loader that he had custom made. When he picked it up from the gunsmith who made it for him, he took it straight home and loaded the first bullet into it and promptly killed a buck with it. He’d owned the gun for less than thirty minutes.
Who will help me eat it?
“I will, Cousin!”