Parker Pair
 

An AAH pair in original configuration. Whitworth barrels.

Presented here in the interest of creating and maintaining collector interest in Parkers.

OMGoodness

WOW!

That is amazing! Thank you!

Very nice!

They are stunning. Bruce, why are the water tables marked '7' and 'A', instead of 'AA' ? Also, I couldn't see any Whitworth serial numbers on the barrel flats. Are they beneath the fore ends, and four consecutive numbers? It's odd that they aren't in the 'book'.

The markings are correct for early hammer less As I said, the configuration is correct. Sometimes the earlier the gun, the more it departs from standards

The general rule for Whitworth barrels is that they are marked with both the wheat sheave and tube serial number. Not all are so marked however.


There are many fine and correct Parkers that are not in the known records. There are also some made up guns. This pair presents an exercise in know your Parkers.

WOW !!!

I wasn't questioning your word, Bruce. I was questioning my understanding that a Grade 7 was an A Grade, as those appear to be marked.

Before the AA Designation was catalogued , the highest was A but some A's were set up as Pigeon guns, as were these, without safety , no rib extension, and straight high stock. The rib says Pigeon Grade. They were extra embellished and graded 7 So some very early A's are grade 7 , and within a few years the AA designation was established for these Pigeon grade guns. Whether they were used solely for live bird pigeon shooting I can't say. Seems to me they would be equivalent to a British game gun pair for driven high bird pheasant and red grouse.

I wasn't at Parker Bros but am relaying information I have learned from TPS and from listening to true experts in the field. I have learned a little but have far to go. By the way there is some sort of face in the upper left corner. I don't know anything about that and don't know how that got there. Forum glitch??

Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard.

Bruce, you always manage to astound and impress me with these fine Parkers . Thank you and please keep them coming. Happy Easter

Fantastic!!!!!!!

Bruce, Thank you for explaining the confusion, perhaps only on my part. So, there are Grade 7s marked with a single A and later, grade 7s marked with AA.
It's said that English is the most difficult language to learn, and Meriden must be the most difficult English.
Do you know if these guns are reverse choked, as so many European pairs are?


btw, I don't know what the red face is either

If you hold your cursor over the red face it says "Angry"...?

Maybe angry that I do not have a pair like them. This is probably the closest I will be able to get. Great photos as usual from Bruce. Thanks for sharing. Bob

I was so dazzled by the guns, I didn't even notice the missing safeties and rib extensions.

Those are examples of why Parker Bros was and is considered Americas finest. I wonder if those guns were ever fired once they left the factory?

They were. A lot.

Beautiful pair. It's difficult to tell from the photos but do these have an early style wear plate on the barrel lugs?

It's also interesting that the gold initial shield placement is slightly different, or maybe the grip checkering point is just extended further back on the one stock.

Bruce, just curious if you have detailed pictures of the buttplate engraving on those two without the glare? I know no two are alike, especially in the highest grades. Here are a few pictures of the buttplate from 96215 which is also a W7.




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Well, that pair of guns is going to keep me up tonight for sure. Someone sure had good taste and a deep pocketbook.

Every picture is my favorite!

Simply gorgeous shotguns. Thank you Bruce for sharing the photos with us.

Bruce, who ordered these guns?

Jeezem...nearly dropped my teeth! Provenance? More story please.