FAMOUS GUN - Who Owned It?

As a small-time collector of our trapshooting history, my library also contains old original press photos of shooters from the past.

My most recent purchase contained a picture (approximately 5 1/2" x 9") of an old shotgun, owned by a famous shooter who has long passed through the gates of the "Happy Hunting Grounds."

Would anyone like to venture a guess?
1. Manufacturer
2. Model
3. Famous owner

Clues : It was bought for duck hunting. It had a mighty stiff trigger pull. The barrel received a fresh coat of black wagon paint annually.

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I would guess .....

1. Winchester

2. 1897 "take down" with a Black Diamond Stock

3. Don't know

 

Thank you User 1. Finally after 39 views, somebody offered a reply. I was getting a little worried that this was not an interesting subject.

It is indeed a Winchester.

It is indeed a Model 1897 but with these comments : a Dilapidated second-hand, fowling gun, purchased at a Hardware store for less than $20 and was so worn out it was thought to only last through the year's duck season.

As to the question on the owner . . . . I am prepared to offer a few more clues at this time.

The owner was born around Sioux City, Iowa and was considered a "western" shooter though one year he reportedly traveled 27,000 miles participating in shooting events, visiting 15 cities in 11 states making the trip coast to coast twice.

He always shot in a red sweater, winter, spring, summer and fall.

 

I would love to have that "Black Diamond Stock".

What do you think of the hammer being "cocked" with the person's finger on the barrel ????

The "owner" may have also had big hands ..... look at the "trigger guard", it has something to stop it from hitting his finger.

 

Was that Herb Parsons?

 

No it was not Mr. Parsons. He was born on a farm in Fayette Co., Tennessee. When he was young his family moved to Somerville where he went to school, married and raised his family.

The owner of the Winchester 1897 above was never known to be an exhibition shooter but he sure put on an exhibition of fine shooting wherever he went. This great shooter died in 1968. Mr. Parsons passed in 1959 and used Winchester Model 12's.

One of my fondest memories was meeting and befriending Mr. Parson's son Dr. H. Lynn Parsons. Through Dr. Lynn I met his younger brother Jerry. When these two were together you'd better be on your guard because there was no telling what they would do next. A pair of jokers for sure but I'll never forget the time I spent with them.

Dr. Lynn always bedeviled me. I was never ever close to being a good shooter but here's what Lynn sent me.

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Mr. Parsons with his two sons.

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And thanks to you History Buff, my wife and I found a new and wonderful friend in Dr. Parsons.

We miss him dearly.

 

I always knew Mark Arie as a Marlin pump shooter...

Could it be that he shot the '97s before that ???

 

This is a very good guess (for reasons I cannot state) Brad's friend (I hope).

Unfortunately it is incorrect. And as you say, known for his work with the Marlin shotgun, Mr. Arie did at one time shoot a Winchester pump ( I don't know the model) in 1912. By 1913 he was using a Marlin Hammerless, Model 28 Grade D which I believe was the same gun he shot in the 1920 Olympics. Mr. Arie also used a Parker SBT at one time and in 1926 he made a couple of world records with his L. C. Smith SxS with ventilated rib. He was shooting as a professional at that time representing the L. C. Smith Co.

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Mark Arie eventually went to the Marlin 43 which was permanently loaned to the Trapshooting Hall of Fame back in 1975. It was featured on the cover of the December issue of Trap & Field.




Enjoy Our History !

 

I would be very interested in learning if Mr. Arie's Marlin Model 43 was really used in the 1920 Olympics as stated in the Trap & Field article above entitled "THE FINE GUN IS DISLAYED."

From my reading about the Marlin shotguns, I thought the first year of manufacture of the Model 43 was 1922 and manufacturing of this model ended in 1930. For that reason I've always thought the gun used in the 1920 Olympics was his Model 28 Grade D.

Is there any Marlin History Buffs out there who can help me with this question?

Thanks,

HB

 

I got number 1 and 2....but the # 3 question is intriguing indeed.

Facts first
1. This guys has long creepy fingers. Damn long. Like someone as tall as BIG BIRD! hmmmm
2. He obviously is a real old fart. Reminds me of that grudge match. ?????!!!!!
3. Not real bright that old fart. Puts his hand over the muzzle. Michigander maybe? Could it be?
4. The seems to be a little bit of muscle there. Maybe an ex-marine. hmmmm again?
5. He doesn't want his picture taken. Reminds me again of the bitter guy at the grudge match.
6. Can't be Longshot. He wants in every picture.

___________________________________________

Probable answers:

1. Long creepy fingers (Lurch or BIG DON)
2. Old fart now. (BIG DON and others)
3. Not so bright old fart. (BIG DON maybe)
4. Ex-marine (BIG DON and others)
5 Doesn't want picture taken. (BIG DON)

I don't have a clue. What do you think?

 

Just a WAG but, Fred Gilbert

 

Frank Troch

 

I can't spell today - Frank Troeh

 

Berlet would be old enough!

 

Another good guess since Mr. Gilbert was shooting a Winchester pump gun in 1899 although I've never been able to learn the model. Unfortunately, this was not the gun of the great Fred Gilbert, of Spirit Lake, Iowa.

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Picture from Dick Baldwin's book.

HB

 

Congrats warpspeed, you are correct. The gun belonged to none other than the top-notcher, Frank Merlin Troeh.

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Here are a few of Mr. Troeh's achievements :

FRANK M. (Merlin) TROEH
19FEB1882, Sioux City, IA – 24DEC1968, Portland (Ore.) Hospital
Interment – Rose City Cemetery Multnomah County, Outside Portland, Oregon
Vancouver, Washington
Married Eva L
Sporting Goods Store – 712 Main St., Vancouver, WA (1917)
3441 N. E. 68th Ave., Portland, Oregon
Took Up Trapshooting in 1911
Washington State Singles Champion (1914) 96x100
Washington State Singles Champion (1916)
Grand American Singles Champion (1916)
Grand American High-Over-All Champion (1916)
High Average Doubles Leader (1916) .8750
Washington State Singles Champion (1918)
Grand American Doubles Champion (1918)
High Average Singles Leader (1918) .9722
Washington State Singles Champion (1919)
Grand American High-Over-All Champion (1919)
Washington State Singles Champion (1920)
American Olympic Team Member – Gold Medal (1920)
High Average Singles Leader (1920) .9752
Washington State Singles Champion (1921)
Washington State Doubles Champion (1921)
Washington State All-Around Champion (1921)
Washington State Singles Champion (1922)
High Average Singles Leader (1922) .9838
Pacific Zone Shoot Handicap Champion (1923) 91x100 23yds.
Pacific Zone Shoot Doubles Champion (1923) 91x100
Pacific Zone Shoot High All-Around Champion (1923)
Pacific Zone Shoot High Over-All Champion (1923) 492x500
Oregon State Doubles Champion (1924)
Oregon State All-Around Champion (1924)
Oregon State Singles Champion (1925)
Oregon State All-Around Champion (1925)
Oregon State Doubles Champion (1926)
Grand American Class AA Singles Winner (1926)
Grand American All-Around Champion (1926)
Grand American High-Over-All Champion (1926)
Jim Day Cup at GAH (1926, 1927, 1928, 1929 )
Oregon State Singles Champion (1927)
Oregon State Doubles Champion (1927)
Captain-Jimmy Robinson’s All-America Team (1927, 1928, 1929 )
Grand American Doubles Champion (1927)
Grand American All-Around Champion (1927)
Oregon State All-Around Champion (1928)
Grand American Doubles Champion (1928)
Grand American All-Around Champion (1928)
Grand American High-Over-All Champion (1928)
Oregon State Singles Champion (1929)
Oregon State Doubles Champion (1929)
Grand American Class AA Singles Winner (1929)
Grand American Champion of Champions Winner (1929)
Grand American All-Around Champion (1929)
Grand American High-Over-All Champion (1929)
High Average Doubles Leader (1929) .9262
Oregon State Doubles Champion (1930)
High Average Handicap Leader (1930) .9212 on 2,500 targets
Jimmy Robinson’s All-America Team (1930, 1931, 1933-1936, 1938-1940
Oregon State Singles Champion (1933)
Grand American Class AA Singles Winner (1930)
Grand American High-Over-All Champion (1930)
Oregon State Doubles Champion (1933)
Oregon State Handicap Champion (1933)
Oregon State All-Around Champion (1933)
Oregon State Singles Champion (1939)
Oregon State Handicap Champion (1939)
Oregon State Doubles Champion (1939)
Oregon State All-Around Champion (1939)
Won Hiltibrand Trophy (1939)
Won Akin-Troeh Trophy (1939)
PITA Grand Singles Champion (1939) 198x200 (98,100)
PITA GRAND President’s Hundred Handicap Trophy (1939)
PITA GRAND Doubles Runner-up after losing shootoff for Champion (1939)
PITA GRAND Handicap Runner-Up (1939)
PITA GRAND All-Around Champion (1939) 408x420
Oregon State Singles Champion (1942)
Oregon State All-Around Champion (1942)
Elected Vice President of Portland Gun Club (1943)
Oregon State Doubles Champion (1949)
Organizer of the Pacific Indians
Inducted In Oregon Sports Hall of Fame (1959)
Inducted In Trapshooting Hall of Fame (1970)
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Guns Used :

1911 Winchester Model 1897 purchased in October 1911 for $19 at Honeyman Hardware Emporium, Portland, Oregon
L. C. Smith Doubles gun
1927 L. C. Smith w/Hunter One-Trigger

I'd like to thank everyone for viewing this forum and a special thank you for those who participated in the attempt to idendify the owner of the famous shotgun pictured above. Truly appreciative.

As always, if anyone has additional accomplishments for Mr. Troeh, please consider listing them. I'm sure there are many others not on my list.
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Enjoy Our History !

HB

 

Thanks HB !!!

Gosh, I love that paint job...LOL

Can you imagine that on some of the shooter's guns today ?

Although, Kay Ohye once said to someone: "The tape around that gun is for my hand fit, the gun is just a tool to me".

So, although it doesn't look pretty, it sure works for him.

 

Thanks HB that was very interesting.

 

$19.00 shotgun in 1911, about $2430.85 in today's money.

Thanks HB

 

Thanks HB, this is really cool interesting history lesson !!!

 

You are very welcome Rob.

Glad you enjoyed it.

HB

 

I said it before and I will say it again HB, you are amazing, love reading and catching up from time to time ...

While your at it, when the hell was I born, where, and in what hospital ..? (joking) ... YOU ARE THE MAN ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

HB... one of his Oregon State Shoot Trophies from 1930...

Trap3

 

Frank, on the cover of The American Shooter with his Model 97 and a squad of some very fine shooters...
September 29, 1917

Trap3

 

Such a beautiful vintage trophy Trap3, and thank you for preserving a piece of trapshooting's history.

Mr. Troeh won your trophy on June 6th, the first day of the 1930 Oregon State Shoot. If you don't already have it, here's the shoot report which will add to the provenance of this magnificent piece.

Thanks for sharing.

Enjoy Our History !

HB

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Thanks HB! I`ll add the info to my files...

Trap3

 

I see 3 Hall of Famer's and I believe Calib B. Eaton deserves strong consideration for the honor as well. I'm not familiar with L. F. Curtis, of the Boston, MA area. I know he shot in New England, PA, NJ and even made the Pinehurst, NC shoots. He was at the major tournament where some of our best old-time shooters were in attendance; Mark Arie, Chief Bender, Steve Crothers, etc. I'll have to add him to my "to do" list.

I see that I started a small file on Mr. Eaton though.

CALIB B. EATON
Fayette, Missouri

Grand American Preliminary Handicap Winner (1911) 99x100; s/o
Won Rocky Mountain Handicap (1912) 97x100 at 23yds.
Made Straight Run of 332 targets (1912)
Missouri State Championship Runner-Up (1917) 98x100​

GOOD PICTURE: Sportsmen’s Review, June 26, 1909, page 714
Sportsmen’s Review, October 9, 1915, page 351​

Meet Mr. Calib B. Eaton

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Here's Calib's Completed Career notice:

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Enjoy Our History !

HB

 

Thanks HB... I`ll have to look and see if I have anything on C.B...

Trap3

 

HB... here is pic of the 1920 Olympic U S shooters... Yes, I believe that Arie
was shooting a Model 28 D during the teens and early 20`s...

Trap3

 

Frank M Troeh... author of How To Shoot Traps... pictures him with his L C Smith double gun.
Booklet once belonged to Dr. J R Pence...

Trap3

 

Trap3,

Do you know anything Dr. J. R. Pence?

HB

 

HB... I don`t think he is a relative to our Vice President... But I hav`nt done research on Dr.Pence. I believe he was a trapshooter from North Dakota.

Trap3

 

Yes, Dr. John Robert Pence was indeed from North Dakota. A town called Minot where he practiced with his brother Dr. Ray Pence. He was one of the organizers of the Minot GC serving as secretary for several years. He also served the ND State Sportsmen's Association as their secretary-treasurer for a number of years. And he won a number of State Championships. He was commissioned as First Lieutenant in the Army Medicap Corps and served in France. He made Captain before his discharge. He was a member of the ND State Game & Protective Association formed as part of the State Association and held several offices serving as President in 1918.

Mr. Pence was actually born 26 OCT 1884 in Monmouth Township, Jackson Co., Iowa but later followed his older brother to North Dakota.

If he's not already in the ND THOF, I think he's done enough to qualify.

Here's Mr. Pence's Completed Career and Obituary.

Enjoy Our History !

HB

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Re: Mark Arie's Marlin

August 2, 1913 Sporting Life Marlin 28T - http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1913/VOL_61_NO_22/SL6122035.PDF



At the Sunny South Handicap, the big six-day shoot at Houston, Tex. Mark Arie, of Thomasboro, Ills., gave another splendid exhibition of his superior trap shooting ability by winning the high amateur average for all targets thrown and also the Sunny South Handicap, premier event of the week. In winning the big handicap event, Arie broke 94 out of a possible 100 targets, although handicapped by shooting from the extreme distance 22 yards. He also made high score over all 1140x1205 94.6 per cent. He was using a brand new, specially built, Marlin hammerless trap gun, D grade (Model 28), which he had never given a real tryout until he started shooting at Houston.
Arie made the remarkably high average of 96.17 per cent, on all his registered 16-yard targets for 1913, breaking 1587x1650. Selecting a new gun, for 1914, Arie decided that the Marlin hammerless trap gun was the best gun with which to endeavor to better his remarkably high average of 1913.
http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1914/VOL_62_NO_24/SL6224024.pdf



Arie used his Marlin Model Model 28 (introduced in 1913) in the Olympic games. The gun and Olympic medals are shown on p. 396 in Marlin Firearms: A History of the Guns and the Company That Made Them by William S. Brophy but is mislabeled as a Model 43 which was not introduced until 1922.

 

HB, here a a couple Frank Troeh items that might be of interest. One is a shooting sweater that was marketed with a Frank Troeh label, of course it's red. And here is a Dupont Long Run Trophy that belonged to Frank. Always enjoy your posts and information. Thanks

Jimmy Bowen

 

Jimmy Bowen, thanks for sharing your pictures and glad you enjoy our history.

Does this DuPont Long Run medal have the year Mr. Troeh made his straight?

I assume it was 1915 or later since the medals I've seen prior to 1915 had the year embossed when manufactured.

Long run medals prior to 1913 were made on runs 100 straight or more for amateurs and 125 or more for professionals. In 1914 the award was amended to just 50 targets or better and it goes without saying that these were for registered targets.

For 1915 and 1916, amateur shooters making 15 or more runs of 50 or more; or professionals compiling 25 runs of 50 or better were awarded gold watches from DuPont.

Enjoy,

HB

 

"For 1915 and 1916, amateur shooters making 15 or more runs of 50 or more or professionals compiling 25 runs of 50 or better were awarded gold watches from DuPont."
"Professionals" ..? , in the ATA …? WPT … (YAC) ...

 

HB, no date on the medal so yes, 1915 or later. The long run bars start at 60 straight and go up to 99 straight.

And the mention of Mark Arie, here is a ATA High Average Trophy Pocket Watch given to Mr. Arie in 1927. Still keeps perfect time.



Jimmy Bowen