DH with 2 Sets of Barrels and Parker Case

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Hey Daryl,

I've had these Parkers for two of more years. I just got behind the shutter during a restful holiday break. Photo spreads, especially like that of the B Grade Lifter, take hours to set up, shoot, process, and post.

Ho, ho, ho,
Mark

[ch]

Mark, I don't remember seeing the B lifter and can't find it.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Hi Calvin,

I posted it under the Restoration forum.

This link is to the restored B Grade Lifter:
http://www.parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9044

I also shot a restored DH which is located at:
http://www.parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9049

Mark

[Hammer Gun]

Mark, a great two barrel set! Beautiful gun and in the original case, what else are you hiding up in Michigan

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Hi Gary,

I'll keep a few surprises for the future!

I pulled up the research letter of this Grade 3. Please note the earlier letter from Roy Gunther in which he references that the gun was ordered with a case. I thought that you'd like to see this!

The following is the text of the research letter:

March 23, 2009
Parker shotgun, serial number 41525, was ordered by Rev. P. J. Kearney in Fulton, NY on June 17, 1884 and shipped on September 27,1884. According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 16 it was a Quality 3 Top Action hammer, 10-gauge. It featured Damascus steel barrels with a length of 32 inches and 28 inches. Its stock configuration was a pistol grip. According to Parker Bros. Stock Book No. 15, its specifications were: Length of Pull: 14 114", Drop at Heel: 2 7/8", Weight: 8 pounds and 9 ounces with the 28 inch barrels and 9 pounds 15 ounces with the 32 inch barrels. The price was $125.00 plus $60.00 for the extra set of barrels less 20% = $148.00.

Parker Bros., Remington Arms Company lnc. and others repaired and reconfigured guns as a major part of the gun trade. Over the years, this Parker may have undergone changes to suit its owners, either at the factory or other competent facility. Complete factory return and repair records do not exist therefore our research team cannot comment, report, or have any responsibility for work performed. It is important to note that those Parker records remaining are hand written and show considerable fading from their age. The research committee has done its best to interpret and report our findings in answer to this request and assumes no responsibility for the recorded accuracy or other work completed.

Letter from Roy Gunther dated 29 July 1993:

Regarding your number 41525 with mixed Damascus in one set of the barrels, I have s e en this on other guns, but never a Parker. The Parkers were very frugal Connecticut Yankees and were reluctant to throw anything away. Your gun was ordered on June 2 , 1884 by a Rev. P.J. Kearney of Fulton, N.Y. The order included a case and a complete set of tools. The gun was completed on September 9, and shipped on September 27. This gun was directly ordered by Kearney and did not go through a dealer. In cases like this, the individual was always charged list price. In this case, however, Kearney received a 20% discount on the entire order. Perhaps this discount was offered because of the mismatched pattern in the 28 inch barrels. The mismatch would not have been noticed until the barrels had been completely finished and inspected. At this point Parker had incurred all the expense involved in making the barrels and throwing them away would have been a complete loss. These extra barrels sold for $60. I guess they figured the discount was the better way to go. Apparently, the Reverend was happy with this arrangement.

It is just by chance that I happened to have the applicable order book here. Normally, I'm not able to get the information on specific orders.