Weekend Horse Trading

[John Gardner]

I got all excited about the wonderful guns that David is selling to feed his 'A' habit and then got crushed when I realized my Parker account was not even close to putting me into contention.

Soooo....I decided to console myself with some local horse trading for a CH and DH upgrading from my VH/Trojan and non-Parker hammer guns.

Plus I was running out of wall space.

I have a pretty, but redone, CH exposition gun but my taste runs more to the original or mild refinish as on this CH. I was also intrigued by the dogs captured in the circles behind the Parker name versus the usual position in front. The case color is long gone and stock has been refinished. I think the barrels are original but would appreciate input on that. I have a letter request going into Chuck this week on this and the DH. (last shot is of the redone CH)
Cheers JG

[OH Osthaus]

very nice John

much more useful than a horse

[Dean Romig]

Love that roundelle engraving.

[charlie cleveland]

mighty pretty gun you got there..only thing we have to watch abouthorse tradeing is comeing up with a nag sometime but i see you got a therobred for sure..charlie

[LHBEAR]

wow!
No one has mentioned what looks like Bernard barrels

[John Gardner]

They are Bernard barrels but I thought that was common on C grades. Their the best part of this gun to me although I love all Damascus style barrels.

[Bruce Day]

Only about 25 percent of C grade shot guns have Bernard barrels, 484 I think it is to be more exact. Then only a small percent of C's made between 1900 and 1905 have rondelle side panels. I believe these were engraved by a single, unknown individual.

Some C's have rather standardized engraving, but from what I seen, when there are rondelle side panels the floor plate engraving will be unique to that gun. Bernard barrels are found mainly in C's, but there are a couple B's , at least two D's and one G with Bernard. Damascus barrels in C's are often not simply 4 blade croille, but an unusual pattern .

I have many C's, including an unusual 20ga with rondelle sides and Turkish Star Damascus, which has been pictured here several times.

Your C is a particularly nice and scarce gun. You would be hard put to find a nicer Parker. Many people search for years to acquire what you have shown.

[John Gardner]

That's a sweetheart of a gun Bruce. Great case colors and lovely pattern and unique engraving.

Thank you for the information as I did not know that about C's and Bernard barrels nor about the scarcity of the roundel sides.

The bottom of the receiver on this C is a stag and the other C has six grouse.

I wasn't too crazy about trading away my other Parkers for it but you've reinforced the decision. I'd love to see more of your C's. I will post my other CH a little later. It is an early 1 1/2 frame from 1895 that was at the '86 and '87 New York Expositions.

[C grade]

John
That is a great C grade!! I love the ones with a roundel and Bernard barrels too. You did well!!
David

[John Gardner]

Thanks David, that means alot. I wasn't kidding about the inspiration for the weekend trading as I'd known where that C was for awhile so I'll thank you again! I like all Parkers but my weak spot is the hammer guns. Cheers JG