Greetings from Meriden!

[JoeRags]

I'm happy to now be an owner of a beautiful Parker 12ga... Serial 90140. Its a DHE with frame size 1 and Damascus barrels. I live just a mile from where the Cherry St factory once stood, and pass by the cemetery where Mr. Parker rests nearly every day.
I've been dreaming about this gun for almost 2 years now. It was owned by a friend of mine a few towns over. He has wanted to sell it for some time, but I could not let it go to just anyone... He knew this and held onto it for me. My family has been a part of Meriden for years and our business is well known in town. It was only natural that this gun end up in my hands as the start of my Parker collection.
I'll upload some pictures soon as I know we all love some good gun pictures... I must say... This piece is beautiful. The barrels are spectacular, no pitting, good coloring and flawless bores. The engraving is beautiful with a dog scene on each side of the receiver, and a bird scene on the underside. The wood is beautiful as well. The thing that amazes me most about this gun is how tight it locks up... With an effortless "click" it locks so tight you can barely see the seam.

I'm in love... And sense the beginning of a new obsession.

[Daryl Corona]

Welcome JoeRags. Be very careful. When you start out with a high grade Damascus barreled beauty wrapped around a 1 frame you will be hooked and need to find it's mate. It's a wonderful trip. Enjoy it.:rolleyes:

[Dave Suponski]

Welcome Joe, Several of us will be in Meriden this summer to rededicate the family cemetery plot that we are in the process of restoring. Congratulations on your new Parker a great way to start! Stay tuned here there is much to learn. Hurry up with those pictures will ya.....:rotf:

[JoeRags]

Alright already!!!!! Here ya go... be gentle. This is my first baby... Barrels are 28" and she's a bit small for me, but who cares! Its a parker! Is there anything I can use to clean up the metal, or should I just leave the 114 year old patina? The guy I bought it from gave me a box of black powder shells as well... Cant wait to blast a few off! Enjoy!

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/joeragozzino/P1020038.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/joeragozzino/P1020041.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/joeragozzino/P1020042.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/joeragozzino/P1020043.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/joeragozzino/P1020066.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/joeragozzino/P1020048.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/joeragozzino/P1020051.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/joeragozzino/P1020058.jpg

[Dean Romig]

Hi Joe and Welcome to the PGCA forum. Now that you own a fine Parker Bros. shotgun you will probably want to order a research letter for it. Non-PGCA Members pay $100 for each letter but a PGCA Member pays just $40 after the annual membership fee of $40.

The benefits of membership are some PGCA Forum pages that are not available to non-members such as the buying and selling of guns as well as other forum topics.

The Parker Pages, quarterly journal of the PGCA including historic articles, stories of Parkers in the field, loads of wonderful photos of fine Parkers as well as old photos of 'shooters of the day' and the places where they shot and the guns they used. It is a 48 page glossy magazine that rivals any shotgun collectors club's magazine.

So, you see, there are many reasons to join. Go to our Home page and click on the link.

[Dean Romig]

Nice looking DH!!

You may already know that the buttstock is a replacement from a Grade 0 or 1 or 2 Parker but it has been done professionally and appears to fit very well indeed.

[E Robert Fabian]

That looks like a keeper Joe, I like the Lyman front bead...a Parker option, gun is in very nice condition, did notice the butt stock is not typical for a grade 3 it was found on grade 2 and below.

[JoeRags]

Was not aware of the non-original butt stock, but that's why I'm here! I'm excited to learn as much as possible about these beautiful firearms.
I must say though, it is fitted so well and blends in perfectly... I had no idea!

I do plan on joining and getting the research letter... Very interested about it's origin and wether or not it was ordered locally.

Now - the notorious Damascus question... Can I shoot it? Obviously not with modern nitro loads. I have a box of 65mm Gamebore Cartridge Co black powder rounds I got with it. I don't load, and I don't really hunt.. I just own and shoot a bunch of guns! I really only want to fire it here and there, so if I have to buy expensive rounds... Not the end of the world. A box here, a box there... Just to put a smile on my face! Anyone in this area that can inspect the bores for me?

[Dean Romig]

Take it right to Abe Chaber and he can measure barrel wall thickness and overall condition for shootability. Dave Suponski will chime in about now to give you Abe's contact info and his address in CT.

Take it Dave......

[Dave Suponski]

Abe Chaber 40 Fairmont Dr. Danbury ,CT 203-748-1830 Hows that?

Wow.. that was close I'm looking for gun 90051 And I know it was shipped to a CT gentleman.

[Dean Romig]

I have 90739, a Titanic DH that was shipped to Maine to a Mr. Humswell.

Dave, that was pretty quick for an OP.

[E Robert Fabian]

Joe many of us shoot our Damascus guns with low pressure modern loads, I reload my own but you can purchase ammo from RST.

[Larry Frey]

Congratulations on your first Parker Joe. I went to school in Meriden and live only a couple of towns away from you now. Give me a call (860-349-8341) some evening and perhaps I can help you out. Judging by the fit of that butt stock it would not surprise me if it were done at the factory and a research letter may prove that for you. Larry

[edgarspencer]

I have 90739, a Titanic DH that was shipped to Maine to a Mr. Humswell.
Was that his name or was it because he couldn't sing worth a damn?

Joe, Welcome. You've got a lovely gun there, and it will only be the first of many more. Your appreciation for the gun, and connection to Meriden pretty much makes it inevitable.
My dad was born in Meriden, and my grandfather ran the iron foundry for Parker.
At a gathering of a bunch of us a few weeks back, I showed the guys a recent acquisition; an 1891 map of the central portion of Meriden, indicating all of the properties owned by the Charles Parker Company, as well as the residential properties owned by Charles Parker, and other notable company employees. It's easy to see why Meriden and Parker were synonymous back then, and it's a shame the industrial base has all but evaporated.

[Eric Eis]

Abe Chaber 40 Fairmont Dr. Danbury ,CT 203-748-1830 Hows that?

Wow.. that was close I'm looking for gun 90051 And I know it was shipped to a CT gentleman.

Dave, you forgot the phone number.... Lot of help you are .....:rotf::rotf: Joe, Abe's number is 203-748-1830

[George Lander]

Joe: Whatever you do please do not touch the finish and patina on that wonderful Parker and as Labowner said you can purchase great low pressure cartridges from RST.

Best Regards and Welcome, George

[Dave Suponski]

Eric, Are you serious...Look at the post.....:whistle: