Las Vegas Gun Show Report

[Eldon Goddard]

I will attempt to give a summary of what was at the show, but I am sure I will forget to include something as there were so many guns there.
Saw many parker from VH to an A1 special at the james Julia booth. Some that come to mind are a VH 410 some 28 gauges and a AH 10 ga. Did not bother to ask for prices well beyond my price range. I never saw a PH in the entire show. One table had 3 or 4 field grade L.C. Smiths in nice condition for 1500 range.
The highlights of the show for me were the Lefever Collectors Association had a 8 gauge grade E? on display, stared at that one for a long time. Several 8 bore rifles one a Holland and Holland. Westley Richards had a 600 nitro express on display fully done in the maharaja style, that was worth the price of admittance in itself. I also got to examine a webley fosberry at the James Julia booth. I might bid on it in may but the 8000 estimate is a little to high for me. I also got to see a howdah pistol but the man had just bought it so he would not let me look at it.

I was looking for a model 21 Winchester, artillery luger, and a 1897 Winchester with Damascus barrels. The 21 Winchesters were priced 5500 and up. The artillery lugers 3500 and up and no sign of a Damascus 1897.

The deals I found included a jones underlever 500 nitro express for 4500, the maker was located in London but I had never heard of them. Looked to be semi well built. A mark V 460 Weatherby custom for 2100, I really should have bought this one. That is all I can remember everything else seemed over priced.

The best part of the show were the people. I enjoyed speaking with Mr. Noreen about parkers and foxes. Meeting Chuck and John and having lunch together. Talking Damascus with Drew and Mr. Culver. Also enjoyed meeting the Lefever guys and discussing lefevers and bakers.

[Eldon Goddard]

The only one that followed me home. A early 12 gauge 30'' lefever from a very nice gentlemen who understood my desire to own a field grade from every major U.S. maker. Also pictured is my collection so far.

[Chuck Bishop]

Yup, just flew back home from Vegas and boy are my arms tired:rolleyes:

No doubt this is the best and largest gun show I've seen. Two huge rooms for gun vendors and smaller rooms too. One smaller room for Wells Fargo guns and accessories. I should have asked them to show me how real Wells Fargo guns are stamped. We've all seen pictures of Parkers with the Wells Fargo stamp.

Nice meeting Drew Hause, a super gentleman. Met John Gardner and Eldon Goddard for the first time. Visited Josh at the J.D. Julia booth and looked at the A-1 Special coming up for auction soon. Talked to Dave Noreen and David Lein but missed seeing Pat Lein at his booth. I did see that A-1 Special repro but didn't realize it was at Larry Baer's table. I really wanted to meet Larry because his two volume set of books really tweeked my interest in Parkers.

I didn't buy anything and managed to break even at the casino's so all in all, a fun mini vacation in Vegas.

[Greg Baehman]

I went to the show seeking a gun that I've been searching for for years---an all original 12-ga. Parker D-Grade fishtail toplever hammergun. Unfortunately, I did not see one example, nor a higher grade being offered. The only one that came close was originally just what I was looking for, except it had been converted to hammerless. Someone obviously put a lot of work into its conversion, filling in the hammer axle screw holes, engraving over them, etc. Did anyone else see it?

[Chuck Bishop]

Josh Loewensteiner and I looked at it. I didn't think it could be done but it was. The barrels were original hammer gun barrels with the check hook. Cocking was done by use of 2 rods the ends of which could be seen at the receiver knuckle. Reciprocal cut outs were in the forend. The gun looked like a typical hammergun less the hammers and firing pins.

[Dean Romig]

.....and we're sure it wasn't an original Parker Bros. prototype?

[Josh Loewensteiner]

The Hammer D grade that was converted to hammerless was one of the more interesting Parkers I have seen in quite a long time. I wondered who might have done the conversion?

[Robin Lewis]

What was the deal with this "converted" Parker? Any idea on its provenance? Who has it? Was it on display or for sale? Did it have a safety? What was the stock configuration? Do you have contact information ..... we could ask for a picture or two? Details guys, this sounds very interesting!!

[Dean Romig]

I remember reading of such an animal - possibly the very same Parker - not too long ago.... certainly within the last year, I just don't remember where I read it - I think I remember a picture or two also.

[Greg Baehman]

The converted Grade 3 12-ga. gun was for sale and had what appeared to 30" damascus barrels, PG and splinter forend. The asking price I believe was $3600 or was it $3995? Anyway the ask was under $4K. I wasn't interested so I didn't get the seller's name or contact info, nor did I get the provenance...sorry.

[edgarspencer]

I remember reading of such an animal - possibly the very same Parker - not too long ago.... certainly within the last year, I just don't remember where I read it - I think I remember a picture or two also.

You are right. It was on here, and it is shown in TPS. The One in Vegas is reported to be the same one that was spotted at a gun show a year ago.

[Bill Murphy]

:corn:

[Josh Loewensteiner]

I enjoyed seeing the gun in person. Anyone interested in Parkers would enjoy the gun- The top tang with safety and the cocking rods at the end of the frame and forend that were installed were very intriguing.

While this gun may not be as sexy as some of the flashy Parkers on display, to a Parker researcher, it is an intriguing gun indeed.

[Chuck Bishop]

I didn't realize the gun would bring such interest. I figured it was just interesting to see what a gunsmith could come up with as far as ingenuity goes. Next time I'll try and remember to take pictures. I do remember that it did have a working safety. The top tang was lengthened to fit a safety on it. Josh or John Gardner may remember the name of the seller, I think I have heard of him before but my memory is foggy!

[Wayne Owens]

What are the chances that there would be a factory record of this conversion if indeed Parker did do the work? I believe the serial number was in the 50000 range.

[Dave Suponski]

Edgar, The gun pictured in the Parker story and this gun(I got a call about this gun about a year ago.) are not the same gun. The Parker prototype pictured in TPS was on display at the Concours during the Vintage Cup at Orvis Sandanona several years ago. It is safetly tucked away in a private collection.

[Patrick Lien]

The Franken Parker was on Larry Shelton's table. He is a dealer from California and always has nice guns. I think he may have just finished a book on JP Clabrough guns and he has several wonderful examples. It first appeared last May at the Denver show. I took a few pictures of it with my cell phone when the older gentleman walked past our table trying to sell it. As I recall he had owned the gun for a very long time. Larry must have purchased it from him in Denver. It was/is an interesting gun and whoever did the conversion had some talent. It surely makes you look twice when your walking past it. I wish now I would have taken some more pictures in vegas. Here is the previous thread.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10594&highlight=denver


Sorry I missed meeting some of you. The show was wonderful. It was a great time and lots of wonderful guns changed hands. Did anyone see the BHE no safety Pigeon gun? It had some nice engraving.

Patrick

[edgarspencer]

How was the Fausti display?

[ForrestArmstrong]

The show was overwhelming, so many slendid guns you don't see elsewhere, with prices to match. Saw some nice Parker upgrades, particularly one by Angelo Bee, got to talk to GG who is very busy now thanks to the DGJ article and 2 guns of mine, also met several other fine engravers. The A-1 Special James Julia has coming up looks very nice. Was only able to attend Saturday morning, came down with a raging flu which I am still in bed with almost a week later.

[John Gardner]

It was great to get the chance to meet for the first time other members of the PGCA.
Chuck, Eldon, and I got to sit down at a quiet restaurant and talk outside the Riviera thanks to Dr. Drew Hause - a real gent. Josh L and Drew helped me buy an early Lifter in shooter shape and Dr. Drew then measured the chambers and barrels for me which was a great education so I kept the LC calendar he was pawning off on all the PGCA guys. :)

Pat Lien sold me a nice Parker shell that the TSA ripped off in one, of two, in transit luggage inspections:cuss: Meeting Pat however was far more valuable and enjoyable regardless.

I was a little disappointed in that, while it was a great chance to see top flight Parkers (Chuck arranged for Eldon and I to examine and shoulder that A1 Special!! :bowdown:) Most of the guns were priced high or even silly.
(Excluding John D and Pat L. who both had nice Parkers and I thought fair prices).

Passed on a nice engraved Colt hammer gun that I still might go back for if available. Larry Shelton did finish his book on Clabrough shotguns and it is well worth the price. He does have some nice guns. If anybody out there is
interested in Colt's he also had an original copy of Armsmear for sale (2K?).

I did buy two percussion doubles that I know absolutely nothing about other than I bought a beautiful 16 ga 'Husky' hammer gun from the same gentleman last year and got great value and made a friend so I picked these up on faith. Small world in that one of them is another 'Parker'. :whistle:

All in all a great show to see and learn. Sorry I didn't get to meet some of the other Parker guys there. Our Pre-show attempt to set up a meet at the Lefever booth came up a little short in that only three of us plus Drew were able to coordinate.

The Riviera stinks as a place to sit down for a quiet libation, and we all like to be walking the floor or manning booths during show hours, so maybe in future years we could organize a pre-show breakfast or post show cocktail hour off site but easy walking distance for those interested.

Almost forgot that Chuck very patiently reviewed - thank you sir! - some pictures of a very early Parker Maker gun for me that came from the last Rock Island auction. I will post pics for feedback in the next while.

All in all have no problem recommending this show.

Hope to see everyone again at this or one of the eastern venues. Cheers JG