A boy's fond memory:
I was maybe 11 yrs, say 1948. Had this new little smoothbore pip "Stella". Made in Czechoslovakia. Probably a Diana copy but sight on barrel. Bought it mail order form Sydney to Urunga NC NSW.
There was a big hoop pine tree, 30 yards to the top, with a starling sitting on the penthouse. Pellets were little bullets, ICI "Blackboys" like Sheridan Bantams, made by ICI and weighing just above nothing. Guess that name wouldn't pass now.
Old semi retired Doctor Briden lived 70 yards down across the railway cutting. I didn't know at the time, but nature had called and he was headed on the trek to the dunny.
Well my aim was good or at any rate the pellet made it to the top of the tree and registered a hit, more of a tap I expect.
The little black guy took off, in that smart fashion of theirs, and flew out across the railway cutting high up in the sky. Then suddenly there was a power failure and from then it was all downhill. I stared in amazement with that little boy "I know this will be bad" type feeling.
Doc was just opening the dunny door when - CRASH, the starling came out of space and hit the fibro wall to fall at Doc's feet. To this day I can still see old Doc Briden first peering down at the dead bird and then up at the sky and back to the bird. I shrank down behind a blackberry bush.
When you shoot nearly straight up trajectory is of little concern for an underpowered gun; you normally have to aim under with something of power. ... Never underestimate what a little airgun can achieve, and country dunnies can be full of surprises.
The Stella is still in my keeping, registered, and mute testimony to the many good times airguns have given me.
Stay safe, Yrrah.
