Saturday morning had started innocuously enough - after breakfast, I had tootled off in to town to local gun shop with the intention of purchasing a few ‘slabs’ of cartridges. Having completed my purchases, I cast my eye along the gun rack. I am sure that many of you, dear readers have done exactly the same thing. If you have, you will know how dangerous that is !

Anyway, my eyes fells upon one of these

& to cut a long story short, thirty minutes later I was the proud owner of a new Frannchi 20-bore, semi auto. The thought process was that I could use it for pigeons & rabbits, plus it would be ideal from Mrs Free Market.

You see, Mrs FM comes out shooting as often as she can, but generally confines herself to beating / picking up duties. A couple of times a year, she will shoot some clays, but finds my Beretta over & under

a little too large, as well as being a tad on the heavy side to shoulder quickly. I should add at this point that I have never been fully excused for not shooting a side by side – a situation made worse by my neighbour, the retired grain merchant (see previous posts) who shoots the most beautiful 1930 Grant sidelock. Still, if I was allowed to spend that sort of money……

My AYA .410 single, despite being a nice looking gun & feather light doesn’t have enough ‘wumph’ – so there’s a natural space in the gun cabinet for a 20-bore. Still, a semi auto with a cammo paint job wasn't quite what Mrs FM has in mind - but what the hell, I like it.

To date, I have only put about 500 rounds through it so the action is quite stiff - cycles well enough on 1oz loads, but to date, it won't fuction on 7/8 oz loads. Still, given that I shoot clays with 1 oz No.7s & game with 1 1/8 oz No.6's, Mrs FM should find the new acquisition a lot more managable.

Still lurking at the back of my cabinet, I have the Old Salthorse’s (see previous posts) old side by side. It’s a cheap Spanish 12 bore (non-ejector) that has spent its life in various ship's armouries. Not unsurprisingly, it is pretty battered & not worth more than £150. However, it has been fully serviced & is there ready for my little Free Markette - when he is not so little. So, the first gun that he owns in his own name to be his Grandfather’s – I just feel that that is very important.

This year, the plan is to look out for a 28-bore side by side to complete 'the range'. I'll keep you posted.