WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Hammer Gun · 08-31-2011, 10:22 PM

For a while I have been comparing a 12ga A grade hammer gun with damascus barrels to a AHE 12ga with steel barrels. Well they are both beautiful pieces, but I believe the older hammer gun has an up on it's younger sister. The workmanship and engraving especially on the hammers is outstanding and must have taken quite a while to execute. Now not to say the engraving on the AHE is anything less than spectacular, I think I have to lean towards the old hammer gun. Believe they took a little more time and the craftsmen were proud of there work! Which would you choose? No you could not have both. Gary

Labowner · 08-31-2011, 10:48 PM

Not having the two guns to compare I would have to go with the hammer gun.

Jeff K. · 09-01-2011, 08:40 AM

Gary,
I am bias, but I would choose the hammergun.
Jeff

Holeshot · 09-01-2011, 08:55 AM

Parkers are an addiction, hammer parkers are even a worse addiction. They are beautiful with them hammers sticking up. Dave

Bindlestiff · 09-01-2011, 10:13 AM

I agree, hammer guns .... and I am addicted.

OH Osthaus · 09-01-2011, 10:18 AM

Of all the guns (that I actually could have purchased) that I have passed up over the years - the only one that keeps me rethinking my decision was a Parker hammer gun.

Thanks for opening the wound

I too love well sculpted hammers framing the grouse I am about to miss. I think it was Gene Hill who said that he couldn't shoot good at least he could look good shooting.

C grade · 09-01-2011, 10:57 AM

Garry
Hands down-the hammergun. They have an elegance found on few other.

John Truitt · 09-01-2011, 11:02 AM

From another point of view.

If I had to do it all over again. I would only own Parker hammer guns.
From a clay shooters perspective they are more reliable, more easily fixed/ repaired, and just plain cool.
IMHO it is the Parker hammer gun that is the "Old Reliable".
Not to say anything negative about the hammerless guns. Everyone knows I love them. But for me the hammer guns have proved much more reliable and easily repaired when need be.

Mr C,
Hands down the hammer gun.

John

Bill Murphy · 09-01-2011, 11:05 AM

I would choose the hammer gun. However, lucky for me, Linda chose the AHE, so both will reside in the same safe. Where do we send the checks?

Dean Romig · 09-01-2011, 10:53 PM

For many reasons I would choose the hammer gun. They are just wonderful in every respect. I am working on an article which may appear in DGJ featuring a very special Grade 6 hammergun - wait til you see the pictures of this one!

That being said, Larry or Deb (depending on who you are listening to) Frey has a fabulous Grade 6 (might be a 7) hammerless that blows my mind. The only Damascus Parker I know of with engraved wedges on the barrel breeches.

It's just so hard to decide but I lean toward the hammergun, all else being equal.