Had a couple old guns that were kinda interesting. One was a Remington Model 29 pump shotgun. Still in high school, but flush with money from a grocery store box boy job, I bought the firearm from a coworker's grandpa for $15. That Remington was as tired and worn out as the old man. The shotgun had a 32" full choke barrel. It had enough play between the barrel and receiver that leading your target was as easy as taking dead aim, flopping the barrel to the fullest range of its travel and squeezing the trigger. A miss was almost guaranteed.

The most interesting thing about that shotgun was that an experienced senior gunsmith and collector of firearms told me that Remington never made a Model 29 shotgun. Earlier today, there was one listed for sale online for $400.

I sold the Remington Model 29 when I received a pristine Winchester 1897 shotgun from my grandfather. He was an old farmer who took great care of all the equipment he owned. Even his garden tools were heirlooms; meant to be passed on to the next generation. I hunted with that shotgun for a half dozen years. I finally tired of tearing the top of my thumb joint when the slide rode over it. Working the hammer when your hands were almost frostbitten was problematic, also.

I sold the '97 to a hunting partner, and bought a 12 gauge 870 Wingmaster with the proceeds. Now, it's an oldtimer!