Blunderbuss

Now sold.

Complete set of decoying kit at a bargain price, everything you need less gun and cartridges, Collection only from Ludlow, Shropshire, I will not post. To go as a job lot - I will not split. This kit is well used with some items showing wear and tear, but is serviceable and will give many more years of use. Happy for purchaser to examine all items before sale. £185 ONO. Advertised elsewhere. I x Jack Pyke cammo decoy bag (small hole on side, doesn't affect use) 4 x telescopic hide poles 5 x hide nets various, with some holes and tears from use but serviceable 1 x heavy duty magnet with speed control dimmer switch and remote lead. No battery, but can be demo'd working with car battery on collection. 2 x Silosocks Hypa-flapper decoys. Well used and a bit tatty, but entirely serviceable. Come with spare wing rods. 30 shell decoys. 26 x flocked 4 x unflocked. C/W a mix of plastic wobble pegs and spring steel pegs. 3 full bodied sitter decoys (a bit tatty). I x foam winged full decoy for use on floater. 3 x floater poles. Various wing spreaders. Net bag for carrying shot birds.

What a deeply obnoxious comment. There are some odd human beings on this forum

My brother moved to the states twenty years ago. He wsn't really interested in shooting before he went but has now fully embraced the RKBA. He hunts, target shoots and has a concealed carry permit. So does nearly everyone else he knows. He used to work at Honeywell's HQ in Mineapolis and said the building which employs thousands emptied on "deer opener" weekend. Almost everyone hunts and shoots. It is deeply, deeply embedded in their psyche. It's hard to explain to those who haven't spent any time there how much a part of their culture and identity guns are. The image of the self reliant frontiersman feeding and protecting his family with a Winchester lever gun lives on. Even those who don't shoot accept unquestioningly that any suggestion of tightening the law is an assault on "freedom". This in the rural Midwest, I know it's different in the east and west coast cities. These are nice people, unbelievably welcoming and warm hearted. It's really difficult to fathom their uncompromising attitudes to this. They weep, offer "thoughts and prayers" every time this happens but refuse to contemplate any practical measures which might help. I shoot with him when I visit and enjoy visiting the big outdoors shops like Cabelas and the local gun shops. I marvel at the the guns on sale in supermarkets like Wal-Mart etc. As a Brit shooter I am torn between a twinge of envy at the lack of state intrusion into their private lives and horror at the hardware any nut job can buy without restraint. I think they have it seriously wrong and need to take drastic measures to reduce the sickening death toll, but this will never happen until the American public want it. Sadly I don't see that happening any time soon.

There really is a massive boundary crossed if someone breaks into your home in the dead of night. It must be terrifying. Absolutely no way of knowing if it's some smack head who only wants your telly for his next fix or some fruit loop who wants to kill you and your family. And seconds to decide when you are disorientated and half awake. If someone violates your home in those circumstances you should be able to do absolutely anything to defend your home and the occupants. If, in the cold light of day with all the time in the wòrld to analyse the whys and wherefores it appears you over reacted or used excessive force the law should give you the benefit of the doubt. But, sadly that's not the world we live in. I'm not one who admires every aspect of the liberal gun laws in the US, but I do admire the fact that householders there can take proper measures to defend their families from violent intruders without fear of retribution.

Random fact. Vango is an anagram of Govan which is where they are made. Great tents, I've had a little Vango Banshee one man tent for about 15 years and used it loads. It's as good as new.

No expert but I shoot one and have a few reference books specifically about them. Post some pics and details of markings and I'll dive in the books. Mine is a No.4 made in 1943 by BSA in Shirley near Brum. It's been "regulated" by Fultons of Bisley and fitted with a Parker Hale target rear sight. It shoots a lot better than my 53 year old eyes are capable of with iron sights!

Correct in regard to centre fire rifle ammo but I think the OP is referring to shotgun cartridges. The "brass"at the base of a shotgun cart is usually plated steel.

Spot on. Sharing a pleasant poem which may give some comfort is one thing, but it's perfectly possible to do that without any supernatural baggage. You are right, I'm sure there are some people who genuinely believe they have a "gift". Apologies if that includes anyone on here, but I think they are deluded. However being deluded is slightly better than dishonest and unscrupulous.

Unscrupulous charlatans the lot of them, preying on the vulnerable or gullible. I feel sorry for you friend, perhaps sharing your observation about the common sighting of white feathers might help convince her what a load of old guff it all is.

Interesting to see my 8 year old thread resurrected!

Interesting view point, they look real enough to me but of course neither of us knows for sure. Trouble is, there is a steady drip, drip of similar stories from grouse estates all the time. There would seem to be an army of evidence fakers out there. I support grouse shooting and would dearly love to try it. I think the heather management and predator control benefit wildlife massively. I also think a small number of keepers bring the whole of shooting into disrepute and their actions may well lead to the end of driven grouse shooting in the not too distant future.

Are you saying these pictures are fake?

First four and a half month roulement as a No2 with 321 EOD Coy in 1985. A few weeks in Girdwood Park in Belfast, then the rest of the time in Bessbrook Mill covering South Armagh. Back in 1987 for a 2 year tour as a No1 operator based at Lisburn, but doing R&R stand ins at all 321 EOD locations in the province. Back in 1994 for a 6 month roulement tour as a No1 operator split between the 321 EOD (now Sqn not Coy with the change from RAOC to RLC) dets at the Maze and Lisanelly bks in Omagh. 1997 to 1999 another 2 year tour based out of Lisburn but working all over the Province. I have a son (now 27) who was born in Northern Ireland and I still have a lot of friends there. As an ATO I was the first responder to some fairly gruesome scenes, but I also think I made a bit of a difference in a small way. In response to the poster above, I can honestly say I never witnessed the violence and brutality towards the civilian community they mention. Though I am not saying it didnt happen, but I never saw it. I certainly saw with my own eyes, torture, death and life changing injuries meted out by paramilitaries both "Loyalist" and Republican. To say Op Banner was a big part of my life would be an understatement.

Ha! You'd be very welcome mate.