No. 87237 where are you?

Don Kaas · 08-26-2009, 01:11 PM

I just picked up #87238. A CH from 1897 with 30" Titanic barrels and a straight grip. The gun is in the book as such and the gun just before it has a identical configuration. These are two rather early fluid steel barreled C grades. Two guns with straight grips and the then brand new "black barrels" in Grade 4 (another 30" CH 12g is alongside them but with a pistol grip) not the most common of late 19th Century Parkers...I've sent Mark a request for a letter...it would be too silly to think they might be proper "pair". Anyway, without 87237 poor lonely 87238 could never be a pair of anything

Dean Romig · 08-26-2009, 01:59 PM

Don, what sort of butt treatment does that CH have?

"Rather early fluid steel barrels" You're right on that account as 1897 was the year Titanic barrels first made their appearance. In Fact, a CH may have been the first grade to sport Titanic barrels as Acme barrels didn't make their appearance until a bit later as I recall.

George Lander · 08-26-2009, 02:55 PM

Don: I have SN 92373 an 1899 CH 12 gauge that was originally shipped with 32 inch Bernard Steel barrels but went back to Parker in 1904 for a set of 32 inch Titanic Steel barrels. How early were they fitting Titanic Steel barrels? I have both sets of barrels for mine although the Bernard set were cut to 28 inches. My gun also has a straight handed stock and is on a No. 2 frame. My Parker letter states that it was ordered by W. Frank Irwin of Cherokee Iowa on July 28, 1899 & shipped to him on September 13, 1899 according to Order Book #47. It was returned to Parker on April 16, 1901 to "take dents out of barrels, clean & rebrown, blue all iron parts, nickel triggers, make RH trigger pull 4 pounds and tighten action NO CHARGE" according to Order Book #53.
The order also states: "Make guard same as grade 5 or 6" and "He is to use gun and talk Parker for three years and it is his gun".

It was returned again by W. Frank Irwin c/o Sportsman St. Louis, MO on January 16, 1904 to fit "12 gauge 32 inch Titanic Steel barrels to shoot 10" high, retarget and clean out old barrels, and set trigger pull at RH 3 1/2 pounds and LH 4 pounds" AGAIN THERE WAS NO CHARGE! According to Order Book #63. MY QUESTION IS:

Do you or does anyone here know anything about W. Frank Irwin? He must have been a favourite around Parker Brothers in that it looks like he was given a free gun and free upgrades & repairs. Any information would be appreciated.
Best Regards, George

Don Kaas · 08-26-2009, 05:17 PM

George- I have never come across Mr. Irwin but I am sure someone has. It does sound like your gun got a lot (!) of use by Mr. I in only 19 months. Titanic were first fit in mid 1897.
Dean- the CH had a skeleton BP which is now missing. I think a DH was the first Ti gun and a CH about 200 numbers before this gun had Titanics, if I recall TPS correctly.

bob valentine · 08-26-2009, 05:22 PM

Don did you find that CH in Maine? If not I know where there is another one just like it.

Don Kaas · 08-26-2009, 05:32 PM

It is from Down East...

Travis Sims · 08-26-2009, 06:16 PM

Congrats.......
i too was watching that gun. Whats your plan with her, new wood and restore?

Dean Romig · 08-26-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travis Sims

Congrats.......
i too was watching that gun. Whats your plan with her, new wood and restore?

Nooooo . . .

Don Kaas · 08-27-2009, 08:40 AM

From a quick review of The Book this morning, it would appear that this gun was the 5th Titanic Grade 4 made being the 3rd of a batch of 3 as mentioned above. I looks to be within the first dozen or so Titanic guns produced the first indeed being a DH.

My plans for the gun? Barrel blue, bend the stock up, fix a few screws and figure out what to do about the butt...and then have a beater for the blind...I have a 34" Acme barreled CHE being re-stocked that will be finished in a couple of weeks that looks like this seasons #1 duck picker (Destry got a 34" DHE therefore I had to get a 34" CHE which means Russ will come up with a 34" BHE...this is how it goes around here...)

bob valentine · 08-27-2009, 06:29 PM

If it is in fact the one I knew of, the barrels needed some serious rust removal from the lobersterman treatment and the Buttplate was missing, I myself thought it was a great find and would have made a great companion to my 75228, Oh well, that's how it goes. If these were everywhere what fun would the hunt for them be, Post some pics when it is done I am a big "C" fan, and am never bored of looking at pics of them, Doesn't make me a bad person I hope? To the hunt I say.... (raise glass of favorite something here) Bob V