Hammergun

Presence of a large number of fleas, particularly in the ears are an indication that mixy may be about (fleas carry the disease). Fleas in the ears do not automatically mean that the bunny is infected though.

No sights, just a standard shotgun bead. Havent been able to date this, but I would guess it to be from the 1880s. Does anyone know when 9mm started?

For the difference in price you are best to go for a 3 gun cabinet, which gives you the option of an extra gun if you ever needed it. Also if there's a possiblity you may want a rifle at a later date, go for one with a lock top. Theres quite a few companies trading on the net. Do a search for " gun safes" or "gun cabinets".

Just this one. Does anyone remember when it might have been in Sporting Gun?

The firing pin is inside the part which lifts up. When you lift this up, the kicker pushes the shell case out. You have to cock the hammer to open the gun.

Here is a couple of pics of my early 9mm Flobert Shotgun, Belgian manufacture. It is unusual in that it is built on wood like a muzzle loader, but the back of the chamber opens up. part octagonal steel barrel with hammer.

Collared doves are very good to eat. The flesh is much more delicate than woodpigeon. I have shot typically 20 ferals a month in the barns. I am thinking of downrating my air rifle to prevent damage to the roof. Does anyone know the minimum ftlbs that can be used effectively?

My chequering tool has worn out and I can't get replacement tips to suit that type. Does anyone have any chequering tools or riffler files (for engraving metal)?

Provided you haven't got a criminal record and are of sound mind, the police have to grant you a shotgun certificate. Get your certificate first before worrying about transferring guns. As the police will have already seen the gun cabinet, they are unlikely to want to visit again. Once you have it, you can transfer the gun to your name. Go to your police forces website and downlad the shotgun transfer forms. Your father needs to send one in saying that the gun is transferred to you, and you need to send one in saying that you have acquired the gun. These are supposed to be sent by Recorded delivery, but you can send them by ordinary post and telephone the firearms officer a few days later to make sure the details have been entered on their system. I would recommend that you do transfer the gun over to your certificate. If a shotgun is going to be held by another license holder for over 72 hours, it must be notified to the police. Also, if you get stopped, it is easier if the gun is on your certificate (which you should carry with you).

Note the double set of top incisors

Here is a prepared rabbit skull (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

One of my mates went on Friday, and at the time Ben Bradshaw visited the DEFRA stand, surrounded by a number of armed bodyguards, all carrying pistols. He paid a brief visit to the CLA stand amid some protest and heckling, before rapidly departing. I think that they are finally getting the message that they aren't welcome in the countryside!!! B)

You don't want anything too powerful or all you will end up doing is putting holes in the roof!

Bird and Bunny Note the trusty s/s!

"Three Little Bunnies" Last night's foray, ....tonight's dinner!

Its liver showed lots of white scar tissue. Note also the liver fluke at the top right.

This post is for the benefit of Red Stag and the others who wanted to know how to check for mixy. This is the last mixy rabbit I shot in June. It was hopping about and didn't seem to notice me creeping up on it. In fact I was able to get really close before I shot it. See also next post.

I shot this bunny recently. What struck me was the unusual colouring on the head. There is a 2-tone pattern with a more ginger colour below the forehead coming from a V pattern I've not seen before, and the fur on the body was more brown than usual. It was a young rabbit and was perfectly healthy. Anyone noticed variations like this?

I have been given plans and will post them later when I have made it.

Set up a target at your desired distance, either a standard target or a piece of card with a cross drawn on it. Steady your gun and shoot 10 pellets aiming at the target, check to see the grouping is good and see how far the centre of the group is from the mark. Adjust either horizontal or vertical settings on the scope, and repeat firing. Get one axis correct first before starting on the other.

You could alway go to your gun shop, buy 1000 for £90 and donate £35 to the CA!!

Unfortunately there isn't a fence - just a hedge. I have seen these traps in action and they are good, but alas, not suitable for my application. I have had the use of carrot as bait for a cage trap. Does anyone know anything better?

On part of the land I shoot over, the farmer has a rabbit infestation and so has asked if I can have a go at trying to reduce the rabbit numbers. The rabbits are burrowed in a thick hedgerow unsuitable for ferreting, and the land is unsuitable for using a .22 rifle. Up to now I have been shooting them with a 12 bore, averaging 3 a night. I have been recommended to buy rabbit cage traps, but have heard conflicting accounts of their effectiveness. One advantage is that I can get a better price for the unshot meat. Has anybody got any advice on rabbit cage traps? Where to situate them? How to bait them? etc.

Pamela Anderson!! Yuk!! well I suppose there's no accounting for taste.

Use Isopropyl alcohol or white spirit to remove the sticky residue.