[Drew Hause]

J.A.R. Elliott was the “American Field” Champion Live Bird Shot of American 1890-1896 using a Greener, which he also used at the 3rd Grand American Handicap at Live Birds in 1895 placing second.

After the GAH he shot for Winchester using a Winchester 1893 with “Leader” shells loaded with “E.C.” powder, and in 1897 when he was the Kansas City “Star” Live Bird Champion, winner of the Du Pont Trophy (99/100 pigeons defeating C.W. Budd) and defeated Fred Gilbert for the Du Pont trophy at Chicago December.

April 17, 1897 Sporting Life

Sept. 4, 1897 Sporting Life J.A.R. Elliott
The Sporting Life, September 04, 1897 - The Sporting Life Collection - LA84 Digital Library

The Sporting Life, September 04, 1897 - The Sporting Life Collection - LA84 Digital Library

Winchester promoted the $27 Repeating Shotgun of 1897 “like the one Mr. Elliott uses” during 1899. Elliott later used a 1897 Pigeon Gun
Page 16

In 1899, Elliott had the first three Long Runs on Live Birds - 100, 90, & 90; and held the DuPont Trophy, St. Louis Republic Cup, Cast Iron Medal – all at Live Birds – and the “E.C.” Target Championship Cup & “Republic” Inanimate Target Cup.

Sporting Life Sept. 16, 1899

Note Winchester listed the 1897 Pigeon GUN. I could not find when Winchester first offered the Black Diamond Pigeon GRADE

1902

The 1897 Tournament Grade was not offered until about 1909

 

[acorange]

I love a good "97" but can not imagine taking a second shot with one of these clunky pumps with a LOT of money on the line.
I guess you do not miss on the first shot.

 

[SPORTALLURING]

Some scores of the matches with his Winchester...

Sportalluring

 

[SPORTALLURING]

 

[SPORTALLURING]

Today the wonderful Trophy Cups along with all his medals and Pigeon 97 can be seen at The Trapshooting HOF...
Currently open daily through August 13th during The GAH...

Sportalluring

 

[Drew Hause]

Randy: I can't tell if the gun has the Black Diamond; introduced about 1901 in Tournament, Trap, and Pigeon grades.

Different DOB

December 20, 1890 Sporting Life
Page 10

 

[pheasantsgalore]

Drew, thanks for sharing and just incredible history. I'll have to make trip into HOF to look at the pigeon '97.

 

[SPORTALLURING]

Randy: I can't tell if the gun has the Black Diamond; introduced about 1901 in Tournament, Trap, and Pigeon grades.

Different DOB

December 20, 1890 Sporting Life
Page 10

Drew, I don`t believe it is... I`ll take another look at it this year.

 

[joee12]

Thank you for sharing, I am still trying to figure out the scoring method

 

[Drew Hause]

joe: 25 birds killed with first barrel (1) or 2 barrels (2)
J.A.R. had lots of 1 barrel kills.

Breeder & Sportsman 1889 "2 Denotes killed with second barrel"

BTW: Modern down-the-line is 3 points for first barrel kill, 2 points for a second barrel kill, 0 points for a lost target.

 

[Drew Hause]

The earliest Black Diamond 1897 I could find was made in May 1900, but can't find confirmation of when the Black Diamond was introduced

1905 1897 Black Diamond Pigeon Gun (not grade)

1907

 

[Allgunnohits]

The earliest Black Diamond 1897 I could find was made in May 1900, but can't find confirmation of when the Black Diamond was introduced

1905 1897 Black Diamond Pigeon Gun (not grade)

View attachment 1820032
View attachment 1820033
1907

View attachment 1820034

Shamrocks for luck 🍀

 

[SPORTALLURING]

Drew.... looked at Elliott’s Pigeon 97 today and no black diamond. My Pigeon 97 was made
in 1901 and has black diamond. I believe ser #. C. 175xxx

Sportalluring

 

[Jimmy Bowen]

While mine aren't Pigeon Guns, I do have 4 1897 Black Diamond Trap Guns, all in 16 gauge. All have the rolled rib barrels, 28" Full choke, TRAP GUN marked on the bolt, and all original. In the picture of all 4, there is an 1897 12-gauge Tournament Grade 32" that snuck in.

Jimmy Bowen

 

[acorange]

I have handled a lot of 16 gauge 97's but did not know of any 16 gauge Black Diamond Trap Guns. Thanks for sharing the photo's!

 

[joee12]

joe: 25 birds killed with first barrel (1) or 2 barrels (2)
J.A.R. had lots of 1 barrel kills.

Breeder & Sportsman 1889 "2 Denotes killed with second barrel"

View attachment 1820015

BTW: Modern down-the-line is 3 points for first barrel kill, 2 points for a second barrel kill, 0 points for a lost target.

Thank you!!!!