Old Cock

[WalkedUp]

Visiting my wife’s uncle and spotted this pheasant gathering dust. Rupert told me he shot it 83 years ago - his first bird with a gun that had been made for him for his 12th birthday. A relic from a different era, before the Second World War seems like another time and yet the idea of a 12 year old boy being so proud to have shot his first bird could be today. Rupert said his father had wanted to cook it whilst he favoured stuffing it, I am rather glad he stuck to his guns as it is a beautiful bird.

[Spr1985]

Looks fantastic! Amazing how well they keep once preserved  

[ninjaferret]

What grain is it on ? Does it eat much ?

[Smokersmith]

You do see some manky taxidermy …. but this looks really good, further enhanced by the story.

 Thanks for sharing.

[enfieldspares]

Lovely picture. In my attic I have a couple of duck, my first ever left and right on anything, of wigeon. The cock and the hen. Shot with my late father's 20 bore over my own water. And I'd only taken the gun along for the odd chance at pigeon whilst fishing. So yes I also had them stuffed. I'll maybe clamber up there and do a picture some time.

Edited July 29, 2021 by enfieldspares

[discobob]

I believe I met the residents of the place it was shot a number of years ago, can't remember if it was a renewal of vows, or the funeral of the said same that was renewing his vows - a gentleman (and he was) that my wife cared for. At Filkins if I remember it rightly