Burgess

[minerotago]

If I said that I wanted to use my Burgess pistol grip pump action 12g for Cowboy Action Shooting would that be a thumbs up or thumbs down - is it allowable. I still use it for ducks using old timer black powder loads as well as pre WWII roll tops and its a wicked device.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Sorry, at least as far as official SASS rules are concerned, it is not allowed. SASS is very specific, the ONLY pump action shotgun allowed in CAS competition is the 1897 Winchester and its replicas. This is a very controversial rule, introduced a few years ago, but it is the rule. Per the current online Shooter's Handbook:

SHOTGUN REQUIREMENTS
Any side-by-side or single shot shotgun typical of the period from approximately 1860 until 1899 without automatic ejectors, with or without external hammers, having single or double triggers is allowed. Lever action, tubular feed, exposed hammer shotguns of the period are allowed, whether original or replicas. The only slide action shotgun allowed is the Model 1897 Winchester shotgun, whether original or replica. Certain shooting categories require a specific type of shotgun and ammunition to be used. Military configurations are not allowed (i.e., trench guns). Please see the shooting categories for further information.

[St. George]

Folks need to know that the Burgess Shotgun used a sliding pistol grip to empty the chamber and pump the cartridge into the chamber, rather than a sliding forearm.

The term 'pistol grip' conjurs up images of a modern, concealable pump shotgun.

It takes some getting used to - but a Burgess was a formidable thing, once you figured it out, and it was a popular weapon for lawmen.

Barrel lengths typically were in the 27" for the standard shotgun - shorter for lawmen and their quarry - and some of the Burgess shotguns folded in half for easy transportation.

Their popularity was eclipsed with the advent of the Model 1893 and Model 1897 Winchester shotgun, but they were popular from 1893-'97 and were used by a number of firms.

It was made in Buffalo, NY - with patents starting in 1883, and Andrew Burgess formed his own company in 1892 - selling out to Winchester in 1899 - a sure indicator that he'd been on to something, since it was common practice for larger manufacturers to buy out their competition, when said competition could cut into their profit margins.

Since they pre-date 1899 - it'd be legal for NCOWS after presenting the documentation of that fact  - can't speak for SASS.

Vaya,  

Scouts Out!

[minerotago]

I think that it is rather idiotic to allow the use of an 1897 Winchester and yet not to allow the use of a gun which effectively predates the 1897 and was in obvious used in the west before the 1897. It is an amazing gun to use and I once used it duckshooting with old roll top artridges.

[Paladin UK]

How can the Burgess NOT be allowed!! 

It clearly is within the SASS cowboy `time frame` and really the `Powers that be` should be encouraging the use of ANY firearm that was used by pards  between 1860 and 1899    

Paladin (What reckons the Burgess should be allowed  ) UK

[Russ T Chambers]

Paladin UK
You have to remember that the "powers that be" aren't necessarily the same ones that started this phenomenon.  A lot of the Territorial Governor's are so anal retentive, that they would pass a rule simply because they were dumb enough to think of it.  Check my SASS Number!  I gave up my TG status because of the nit picking that started going on about SASS rules.  Most of those rules take away a lot of what was always referred to as "The Spirit of the Game".

[Paladin UK]

Fer RTC....

..........."Spirit of the Game".....

It saddens me that more `n` more its jest bein swept aside!!

Paladin (What still believes in Father Christmas  ) UK

[Dalton Masterson]

You may still be able to shoot it at your local matches. I have seen some unusual hardware come out when the "powers that be" are not around. I even saw a Marlin pump come out at a Regional the year the silly law went into effect. The gents 97 died, so his backup was his Marlin. Noone cared or noticed otherwise.
DM (who is not condoning rule breaking in any way)