cases and loading tools

[OH Osthaus]

I picked these up off the auction site, not sure the Parker stamp is authentic - seems a little crisp for the age. But I plan to make a case based on Bruce's post of case pics with measurements and wanted to have the accessories in there. Which project hammer gun gets cased will depend on how the barrels clean up.

My question is, was the same style walnut case offered into the top lever hammer gun era? I know a case was offered for 10 dollars on the price lists shown in the Parker Story at least into the 1880's, was this still the same case? It seems when you see the the fitted walnut case it is with lifters. I think have only seen one top lever sitting in a walnut case.

[Jeff K.]

The Parker marking is right on the funnel.

[Bruce Day]

Rick, I suggest you refer to the 1882 Parker catalog for top action and lifter hammer guns. Cases are shown including the leather shell top case, low gun case, English style gun case, and black walnut cases. We provided measurements and detailed photos if a person wanted to build his own walnut case instead of spending the $8 that Parker charged in 1882.

The 1882 Parker catalog is interesting and contains much information about the design and building of the Parker shotgun. There is a table of Charges To Be Used providing black powder measurements in drams correlated to gauge, weight and barrel length of the gun. For example, a 12ga with 30" barrels weighing 7 1/2 pounds was intended to use a load of 1 1/8oz shot at 3 3/4 to 4 drams. Recommended loads for gauges 8 through 20 are provided. Of course today, drams equivalent provides an approximation of those black powder dram loads.

There is an entire section showing loading tools, including the one you photographed.

The 1882 catalog also includes a mail order form whereby a person could have Parker build a gun , with various options. I wonder how long I will have to wait after I send that form in.

[OH Osthaus]

thanks Bruce- i was hoping you would share your expertise - I had saved the link to your case thread a while ago knowing I was going to need it eventually.

I see DGJ reproduced the 1882 catalog, I will order a copy.

let us know how that mail order goes

[wayne goerres]

Have you considered sending the order to the North Pole. You May stand a better thance with santa.

[George Lander]

Originally Posted by Rick Losey

I picked these up off the auction site, not sure the Parker stamp is authentic - seems a little crisp for the age. But I plan to make a case based on Bruce's post of case pics with measurements and wanted to have the accessories in there. Which project hammer gun gets cased will depend on how the barrels clean up.

My question is, was the same style walnut case offered into the top lever hammer gun era? I know a case was offered for 10 dollars on the price lists shown in the Parker Story at least into the 1880's, was this still the same case? It seems when you see the the fitted walnut case it is with lifters. I think have only seen one top lever sitting in a walnut case.

Rick: I have an original Parker Black Walnut case if you need some pictures of it I will be happy to send them.

Best Regards, George

[OH Osthaus]

thank you George,

i will take you up on the offer. I have Bruce's pics from his post, but there seems to be some variation in the configuration of each one I have seen. So the more I see the better.

[OH Osthaus]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

Rick, I suggest you refer to the 1882 Parker catalog for top action and lifter hammer guns. Cases are shown including the leather shell top case, low gun case, English style gun case, and black walnut cases. We provided measurements and detailed photos if a person wanted to build his own walnut case instead of spending the $8 that Parker charged in 1882.

The 1882 Parker catalog is interesting and contains much information about the design and building of the Parker shotgun. There is a table of Charges To Be Used providing black powder measurements in drams correlated to gauge, weight and barrel length of the gun. For example, a 12ga with 30" barrels weighing 7 1/2 pounds was intended to use a load of 1 1/8oz shot at 3 3/4 to 4 drams. Recommended loads for gauges 8 through 20 are provided. Of course today, drams equivalent provides an approximation of those black powder dram loads.

There is an entire section showing loading tools, including the one you photographed.

The 1882 catalog also includes a mail order form whereby a person could have Parker build a gun , with various options. I wonder how long I will have to wait after I send that form in.

thanks again Bruce. The DGJ reprint of the 1882 catalog arrived today

there is more reading in there than most the outdoor magazine printed these days