New Member in Texas
 

Howdy!

I joined PGCA a few months back and have been actively lurking. I was born a CT Yankee, but was transplanted in Texas as a child.

I grew up hunting and fishing on the Texas Coast, but was always intrigued by the stories I heard from my father and grandfather about grouse and woodcock hunting in New England. Evidently my Dad's extended family was from the Meridan CT area. They hunted around New England, had English setters and were members of the Quinnipiac Rod and Gun Club.

Upon graduation from high school in 1984, my grandfather presented me (the oldest grandson and most avid outdoorman) with his 16 gauge Trojan in a Redhead leg-o-mutton case. It was the last shotgun he owned. Grandpa told me that his older brother, Romaine, had bought the gun used for him from Charlie Parker for $19 sometime in the late 20's. Supposedly Uncle Romaine and Charlie Parker were hunting buddies. My Dad's Uncle Romaine allegedly had a beautiful collection of Parkers that were liquidated after his death, much to the chagrin of my Dad and Grandpa.

In his younger days, Grandpa played professional hockey and didn't have a lot of money, however he did get to travel with the hockey team. He carried that Trojan around with him and was able to hunt pheasants in the mid-west and geese and ducks in Maryland. The old Trojan got a ding in the barrel when it fell over and hit a rock when my Grandpa was crossing a fence. He said the gun was unloaded at the time, but the dent remained to him as a continuous reminder to be safe while handling guns.

Over the years, I have shot Grandpa's old gun a few times. Not knowing any better when I was in college I even committed the sacrilege of shooting a few ducks using steel shot. Since finding the PGCA, I have found an outlet to nourish my desire to learn more about Parker shotguns. I was always afraid that I would damage the old gal or that it would be damaged if I shot it regularly. Through this site I found a gunsmith who lives close by specializes in old s x s. He looked over the Trojan, lifted the dent from the barrel and recommended RST ammo. She's now the favorite gun of her fourth generation of shooters. With four boys, I am going to have to get busy finding some "new" family heirlooms.

Attachment 56799

That's a great family heirloom! Welcome to the forum.

Welcome to the PGCA Scott!






.

Heirloom
 

Scott I was born and raised in Houston for 68 years moved to Wimberley 2 years ago and love the Hill Country. What a great history on your Parker . I suggest writing that down to pass on with the gun someday so that special history will be remembered. It is a special treasure. Joined the Parker bunch several years ago never looked back. Welcome you'll find plenty of friends here.

Welcome Scott!

Thanks for the report on the your Gun and Hunting-influenced background, family and the retained Trojan. These vintage firearms remain both beautiful, practical and actually sought-after (unlike most objects that we or our forebears spent a lot of hard-earned money on). Additionally, they are infinite to inquiry and discovery (helps keep me out of bar-rooms, anyway).

Sorry about the collection of family Parkers that got away; but, that they are "still out there", just adds to the mystique.

Additional info on the Trojan, dimensions, chokes and close-up photos would be appreciated.

The inter-generational field photograph is a really nice.

Great gun and family history.

Thanks David! I live just west of you a bit near Kerrville. I believe that I may have read about some of your adventures "back in the day" with a certain outdoor writer. I moved out to the Hill Country 17 years ago and never looked back.

Scott, welcome aboard. That's s great story about your uncle and Charlie Parker. Any pics of the two of them together?