The pleasure of fine things

I think this qualifies here. It's a Belgian 16 gauge muzzleloading fowler made somewhere in the 1830s from what I can gather. You can find some remarkably affordable beautiful antique guns if you aren't put off by it being a muzzleloader or a shotgun generally that isn't a well known brand.
I even used it as my dove hunting gun this year.

EBaker said:

I think this qualifies here.

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Cease this emotional manipulation of my manhood at once Sir!

But seriously that is one incredibly fantastic looking firearm!

Of all things, I am impressed with the knee high wool socks I got at Dschulnigg in Salzburg. They are really a fine product in just the right shade of Loden.
Picked up a couple of 3/4 inch leather/rubber backed rifle slings as well, and for an attractive price.

Strangely, they forbid me to handle an O/U rifle by Heym in 30'06. Perhaps because I was an American and they knew I could not buy it and have it shipped over. They said that they had tried to accommodate customers, who filled out supposedly all the right forms and still got denied somehow by new Austrian gun laws. It was very deeply engraved and priced at $8,000 euros. The gentleman there said that Ferlach had a single broker who handled all their exports, but did not say why he could not use that service. So I guess he thought there was no possible upside and a possible downside of a new nick on the gunstock....

Kevin Peacocke said:

I had an interesting experience yesterday, popped into the classic car shop on the way home. There in the centre spot was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen; a gleaming red V12 e-type Jaguar, perfect in every way. It was so striking I took my hat off, and was permitted to sit in it, even start it up.

Over to one side was a little yellow 1275 E Mini clubman, ironically the exact same model that I am currently re-building in Johannesburg. I sat in that too.
Whereas the Jaguar evoked awe, perhaps a little unease too, the mini brought on a smile, a desire for Monday to roll around so I could do a little more tinkering on mine. The feeling dimension of fine must be given it's due share of weighting, happiness is precious.

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Lovely Jag! Back in my younger and wilder days, we referred to XKE Roadsters as "panty droppers". Please excuse my crude phrase! The proof was in the driving....!

Field28 said:

My latest acquisition.

Female puppy out of a breeding of last years National Field Champion and 2023 Purina High point Open winner and a MH female who is the daughter of another FC/AFC with many points, Grandsire NFC on both sides of pedigree. American Field bred Labrador excellence!

First pic is at 8 weeks retrieving, last pic is having a siesta after doing some water work earlier at 12 weeks. Very promising puppy, looking forward to competing in the Derby and some Hunt tests after the first of the year!





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Never met a lab I didn’t fall in love with.

My 2026 ultra, 4 months young.
Weight is lite, but a bit more grippy on the skin than my Seadweller.

RSL said:

Lovely Jag! Back in my younger and wilder days, we referred to XKE Roadsters as "panty droppers". Please excuse my crude phrase! The proof was in the driving....!

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I bought a new black Jag roadster years ago . The beauty of that car couldn’t offset how bloody ugly I am. Consequently not a lot of action but I loved that car . Nothing beat tearing along on a cool evening , roof down and the Rolling Stones blasting out .