LIVE PIGEON TRAP SHOOTING: Its history, appurtenances, descendants, and how to do it. By Cyril S. Adams.

2017 1st edition. Large 4to (219 x 286mm). Pp275,ill. Colour and b/w photographs, illustrations throughout, bibliography. Green boards, spine titled in silver-gilt. Dust-wrapper price $100.

A history of a sport which expired a long time ago in the UK. Discussion of contemporary live pigeon shooting clubs covers mainly Texas, Mexico and Egypt. This is "a definitive look in great detail at the history, equipment and descendants of an esoteric sport born at the (supposed) Battle of Troy around 1,000 BC. It also features a remarkable collection of photographs and illustrations. .. .. The author explains why live pigeon shooting is regarded as the aristocrat of shotgun sports. Live pigeon shooters generally are betting men with good shooting skills and unerring confidence in their abilities with a pigeon gun. The sport was also the most important testing ground for the best British gunmakers." Chapters include: Overview; Foreword; author autobiography. History - 1,000 BC to 1779, the beginning, the crest, the decline; Birds and traps; Guns; Ammunition; Notable shots; Descendants; How to do it.