An Icelander's Parker Shotgun

JasonPeck · 06-16-2017, 11:51 AM

According to the factory letter this gun was purchased by Gestur Gudmundson of Islandic (sic) River by way of Selkirk, Manitoba in 1912, with special request to "target buckshot close".

Original price $75.00.

After a little Googling, turns out Gestur (1876-1921) was one of the first Icelanders to emigrate to North America in 1879. And I found this note...

"Gestur became a skilled fisherman and hunter. Among other things, he was noted for constructing ingenious log bear traps."

So perhaps this was his buckshot bear gun? A neat piece of history.

1907 Parker DH Grade 3

12ga 30" Damascus barrels with extractors. Average bores. Choked M/M.

#2 Frame. 4 weight barrels. 2 3/4" Chambers.

Tight on face. Case colors in protected areas.

Measurements: 14 1/4 x 2 7/8 Weight: 8lb 2oz.

Unfortunately she has been restocked. Not sure I want to sell it anymore, so I posted here for others to see.

King Cobb · 06-16-2017, 12:32 PM

Its a nice looking gun with some great history.

The stock job isn't that bad, but the checkering is unfortunate. I am glad you said 2 frame, I could have sworn that the barrel lung had a 3 on it when I first looked at your other pics. It has some really nice engraving on it.

B. Dudley · 06-16-2017, 04:22 PM

I call no drop points on a D to be pretty bad.

King Cobb · 06-16-2017, 06:52 PM

For originality yeah, but its still a nice looking stock.

High Brass · 06-16-2017, 07:25 PM

It's a period restocking for practical use. Not made to satisfy future collectors. I would never replace it. I think it's unique and fits a gun with an interesting history.

todd allen · 06-17-2017, 09:46 PM

Beautiful gun, with an interesting history.

JasonPeck · 09-18-2017, 06:19 PM

Interesting update on this gun. The great-grandson of the original owner (Gestur Gudmundson) found this thread while doing family history research. He contacted me and the gun is now on its way back home to be re-united with the family in Manitoba. None of this would have been possible without the Parker factory letter.

Bindlestiff · 09-18-2017, 06:29 PM

Wow, this sounds like it has the makings of a very interesting Parker Pages story!

King Cobb · 09-18-2017, 06:39 PM

That is cool and bravo to you for returning it to the family.

C.O.B. · 09-20-2017, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

I call no drop points on a D to be pretty bad.

I have a DH live bird gun with no drop points and it's the original stock. The features are flat rib, straight grip, #2 frame 32 inch barrels choked .045 in both tubes.