Phil, I'm 67 years old, and born a poor Texas Ranch kid on my grandfather's ranch in the north end ogf the Texas hill country. From as long ago as I can remember, I have liked doubles, then I was only aware of shotguns, but I have a picture of myself at the age of 3 with a toy double shotgun, standing front of a toy peddle car. So I guess I was born that way.

When I was six, my father bought me a single shot 22 rifle, and when we would go to town I always went to Kelly's hardware store to buy ammo. Mr. Kelly had animal mounts from Africa in his store, and my grandfather had a real problem getting me out of that store. One day the old man saw me come into his store, and called to me, Hey boy come back here I want to show you something. He placed an oak&leather case on the counter, and opened it. It held a H&H royal, 500/465NE INDIA! My eyes wide, he put the rifle together, and handed it to me, cautioning me not to drop it. He then handed me one of the cartridges for this hansome rifle. I took out one of my .22 lr shells, and compared them. That thing had to be the largest cartridge in the world, I thought. I have Mr. Kelly's hunts in east Africa, and his rifle to blame for this afliction I now have had for 61 years! After that day, my uncle's double barrel 410 shotgun got a work out every chance I got, and I always pretended it was my H&H double rifle, and the rabbits I hunted were Cape Buffalo! Thanks Mr. Kelly!