First off, the dinner was a good time, and all who were there are good people. It was a pleasure to put a face to a name.

I spent most of my time at the show hanging with CaptCurl, and he helped explain the differences in the doubles we looked at, as well as what to look for when checking to see if the gun is pooched. I really learned a lot, thanks Roscoe, and thanks for organizing the dinner. Thanks John for your shout. I wanted to get to the shot show but ran out of time; one more day would have been perfect.

I went down looking for a clamshell in 9.3x74, but did not find one. I was tempted by two rifles: 1. An I. Hollis overlever hammer gun in 400/360 that would have cleaned up all right and had been imported from India the week before; 2. A hammerless german 9.3x74 in nice shape, in the case with clawmount scope, and instead of the single dolls head in the middle, had two whatchamacallits (I still have a lot to learn). I got the opinion of CaptCurl, 500Nitro, Mickey's friend Chris, my father, and I even tried Mick on his cell phone. I finally decided to wait and purchase what I want instead of settling (if you know of one for sale PM me).

Rifles ranged from $3500-$45,000. It was amazing how much more gun you could get for $7500-$8000, as well as selection, when compared to doubles for $6000-$6500. I would say about 15% of the double rifles were off face.

At the show I remember seeing a couple of percussions, a 4 bore, 8 bore, 12 bore, 600 NE on a clamshell ($45,000), 500 Nitro ( a cased Frasier in excellent condition $30,000), 500 EX (another I. Hollis overlever hammer gun from India for $3500. It was well worn on the outside but was still on face), a couple of 470's (a hammered Manton on a Jones underlever $11,000), 450 (Army&Navy but was off face), 43 Mauser (on a Sauer? for $8500), 405 Win, 450/400 3 1/4" (a Rigby nice and original for $7900), 400 Purdey (a cased Purdey of course for $42,000), a couple of 9.3x74R, 318 WR, a couple of 8mm's with both bore sizes, a couple of 303's, a 375/303, 300H&H, 7x65R, and a 6.5x58R. I'm sure I have forgotten some but it was sensory overload.

It was a good time and a good show. I think I will be there next year.