The Julia's text for the October 2005 states Jim Parker bought the Max Fleischman 20-gauge A1-Special from James W. King for $42,500 on an invoice dated 11-30-99. Could something have happened to those original 32-inch barrels between the auction Kevin quotes and the sale to Jim Parker by James King? The Vintage Cup was at Addieville in 1997 and 98 then Sandanona 1999 - 2006.

https://www.morphyauctions.com/james...shotgun-60393/

It would appear that the original 32" barrels were replaced (for some unknown reason) with a different set of "grade 8" 32" barrels and numbered to the gun. I wonder where the original 32" barrels ended up... and why they needed to be replaced.





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Very intriguing and (to me) not a little disturbing. It truly was a wonderful gun in its untouched state when we examined it at Sandanona as Dean points out.

I just found this 1997 catalog while ‘rearranging’ my gun room. I wonder what the asking price and finally the sale prices were... and who bought it.


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That is very interesting Dean. Would love to know where it is today!

I believe Max Fleischman had two A-1 specials and Larry Baer claimed this one was butchered by non-factory alterations. There is a picture of it in one of Ed Muderlak's books and it does not look all too bad to me.

He owned the 28 gauge that is on the market now. 32" barrels.

Yes. I love that gun!

Larry Baer never associated this 28-gauge pictured in his book, with a poor restock, or the "butchered" 20-gauge to Max Fleischman. I'm thinking it could have been a different 20-gauge A1 Special Larry was writing about.

Odd that the first time I saw (the 20 gauge I think but I'm not sure) in its poorly refinished condition was at the Chantilly Virginia show, being displayed by Julia in preparation for auction. I was used to seeing Jim's Parkers in all levels of condition, but this was the low level. Like some of you, I have a hard time keeping the two A-1s straight. I"m not sure Larry Baer accurately described the gun with the ruined inlays. A talented engraver could repair almost any damage done to inlays. I'll have to review my Baer books to see if I can identify the gun he is describing. By the way, the last time I met Jim was at the PGCA meeting at the Ohio Gun Collectors, an extremely high point in PGCA history. Jim had some key Parker guns and others on his tables, with no price tags or "not for sale" price tags. I was surprised and happy to see that James Hall's mom strutted down the aisle with one of the guns that was "not for sale". I talked to her and she admitted that she had just bought that wonderful gun. I guess I learned something from that transaction.

Odd that the first time I saw (the 20 gauge I think but I'm not sure) in its poorly refinished condition was at the Chantilly Virginia show, being displayed by Julia in preparation for auction. I was used to seeing Jim's Parkers in all levels of condition, but this was the low level. Like some of you, I have a hard time keeping the two A-1s straight. I"m not sure Larry Baer accurately described the gun with the ruined inlays. A talented engraver could repair almost any damage done to inlays or engraving. I'll have to review my Baer books to see if I can identify the gun he is describing. I doubt that the "ruined gun" is in that condition today.

Ok its time to confess. Who bought this one??????

https://stevebarnettfineguns.com/par...ecial-28-gauge

Not me, but I wish

We still haven't seen a letter for this gun. The home page says there are records for this 28-gauge, 234200. Is that how the Fleishmann connection was made? Knowing how it looked in Larry Baer's books we know it is not "......an all original Parker ...." as Herschel said. From the RIA auction April 2018 --

https://www.rockislandauction.com/de...pecial-shotgun