Connecticut Shotgun

[sksmith75]

Business gave me the opportunity to visit Connecticut Shotgun this week. I had never heard of them before and when I arrived, I discovered why.

They manufacture Side by Side and Over & Under Shotguns that range in price from $3,000 to $200,000. I saw a shotgun on their rack that had a price tag of $95,000!

Some pretty magnificent shotguns, but to tell you the truth, I think all of the gold, silver and fancy engraving is a bit gaudy. Maybe I'm just an old fart stuck in his ways, but I like a clean, well built firearm, with at most a little subtle engraving, if it is a shotgun. Sort of like some of these young attractive girls with the full tatoos over their shoulders all the way down to the wrist. I just don't find that attractive, at all.

They custom build the shotguns to order, so this may have been an expensive visit for me. An O/U is on my firearm bucket list, so I might go a little crazy one of these days and look into a toned down model.

Here is their link, http://www.connecticutshotgun.com/

Sometimes business can be fun.

[WVBob]

That place is NOT in my price range.

[dannyb]

So much for Connecticut. I think I'll stick to New Haven.

[seoulstice]

Originally Posted by sksmith75

Some pretty magnificent shotguns, but to tell you the truth, I think all of the gold, silver and fancy engraving is a bit gaudy. Maybe I'm just an old fart stuck in his ways, but I like a clean, well built firearm, with at most a little subtle engraving, if it is a shotgun. Sort of like some of these young attractive girls with the full tatoos over their shoulders all the way down to the wrist. I just don't find that attractive, at all.

Keep in mind that those sort of decorations and engravings were the norm and not the exception to the rule in the past, especially in the Old World. What you're attributing to your old fashioned values is in fact a fallacy, they aren't old fashioned values at all, at least in the world of firearms. The utilitarian aesthetic you appreciate[simple, clean with little to no engravings] is a relatively young phenomenon in the history of weapons and firearms.

In the past, only royalty and the very rich could afford firearms and they were often heavily decorated. Take a look at really old antique firearms or even those made by Fox[used to be made in Philadephia, now defunct] or any of high end shotguns from European makers[defunct or still in existance] and you'll still see plenty of engravings and decorations. Connecticut Shotguns are only keeping on with the tradition of building high end shotguns in the old style. They make a great shotgun, though they certainly are expensive!

[sksmith75]

Originally Posted by seoulstice

Keep in mind that those sort of decorations and engravings were the norm and not the exception to the rule in the past, especially in the Old World. What you're attributing to your old fashioned values is in fact a fallacy, they aren't old fashioned values at all, at least in the world of firearms. The utilitarian aesthetic you appreciate[simple, clean with little to no engravings] is a relatively young phenomenon in the history of weapons and firearms.

In the past, only royalty and the very rich could afford firearms and they were often heavily decorated. Take a look at really old antique firearms or even those made by Fox[used to be made in Philadephia, now defunct] or any of high end shotguns from European makers[defunct or still in existance] and you'll still see plenty of engravings and decorations. Connecticut Shotguns are only keeping on with the tradition of building high end shotguns in the old style. They make a great shotgun, though they certainly are expensive!

Good point, you're right from the broad historic perspective, I hadn't looked at it that way.

I've reached the point in my life where I can consider acquiring something like this, but it will have to be a well studied and pondered purchase. I'll keep your comments in mind and appreciate you broadening my perspective.

[BigMikeM31]

I think the comment about the extensive engraving being the norm in years gone by was spot on. Old Foxes, Parkers and even L.C. Smiths (sticking with American shotguns) were frequently engraved to a large extent. Obviously, exceptions to that general rule exist in the form of the Smith Field Grade and the Fox Sterlingworth which were more "working-man's guns." Looking at a nicer Fox or a Smith Ideal Grade really exemplify the extensive engraving that was common not long ago.

[seoulstice]

Originally Posted by sksmith75

I've reached the point in my life where I can consider acquiring something like this, but it will have to be a well studied and pondered purchase. I'll keep your comments in mind and appreciate you broadening my perspective.

Putting down that kind of money would definitely warrant a lot of thought, at this point in my life I can't see myself putting that kind of money on just one firearm!

I agree with the sentiment that some of those high end shotguns are engraved almost to the point of being gaudy, I can appreciate nice engraving and beautiful wood on a O/U or a SxS but some of those of those are just too much for my tastes. I remember telling a friend of mine that some of them look downright feminine. However, I can appreciate the amount of craftsmanship that went into them and the tradition behind it. I hunt as well so I can definitely appreciate that there is a time and place for a shotgun with clean, simple lines.

[vic2367]

too much $$$ for my taste,,

ill stick with the remingtons,mossys,,

[sksmith75]

Originally Posted by vic2367

too much $$$ for my taste,,

ill stick with the remingtons,mossys,,

I've also been to Remington's Custom Shop at their factory in upstate New York and let me tell you, those folks can run the dollars signs up on their firearms, as well.

At the time, they were working on a lot of military equipment, fantastic rifles sitting all around.

I talked to one of the Master Gun Smith's that had been trained in Europe. He was complaining about the new computerized engraving that just wasn't up to par.

I am always amazed at people that can do such things with their hands. I barely made it through shop class and became an engineer because I discovered at an early age that I'd go hungry if I had to earn my living with my hands.