Author Topic: American Drillings  (Read 1032 times)

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Offline mbyoh

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American Drillings
« on: September 20, 2008, 01:43:24 PM »
Do any of you have much experience with American Drillings?  Hollenbeck or Three Barrel Gun Company?  I think it would be neat to own an American Drilling ( I do have German drillings and cape guns), but I realize they do not normally have the fine lines of the German guns and are usually appreciably heavier.  I think a Three Barrel Gun Co drilling with fluid steel barrels in 12ga X  32-20, 25-20, 22 hornet, 32-40 would be a great turkey gun.

Mike Yoh
British Cars; fine guns; red,white, and blue knives.

Offline halfslow

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Re: American Drillings
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2008, 05:49:32 AM »
One of those in 12 gauge over 32-20 lived at my house when I was younger.  It was my dad's duck gun.
If I remember correctly, he wanted an L C Smith but the Hollenbeck was a lot less expensive in the depression.
There seems to have been a rumor of a problem using it due to the rifle barrel.  Even though it was a double shotgun, the posession of a rifle in a duck blind was prohibited.  He never brought 32-20 ammo with him and had no problems.
One thing peculiar to this one is that the chokes were backwards.  Normally, the left barrel in a SxS is the more open choke.  This one was reversed.
Other than handling and cleaning it once in a while, most of what I know about them is from the June 1964 American Rifleman article.
By the way, it was available in the 22 WCF.  I think the Hornet from 1930 would give pressure problems.

Offline mbyoh

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Re: American Drillings
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2008, 11:19:25 AM »
Halfslow,

Thanks for the reply.  A 12ga X 32-20 drilling would be my ultimate drilling.  I think I could even get used to the extra weight and clubiness of the American drillings.  I shoot 32-20 in my pistols ( Colt SAA and S&W 1905) and enjoy reloading for that cartridge.  And for turkey, the 12ga and 32-20 would be awesome.  Might have to pick one up next time I see it in this combo.  I have seen it with damascus barrels, but I want the fluid steel.

Mike
British Cars; fine guns; red,white, and blue knives.