Fluid Sleel Damascus

[Harry Collins]

Stopped by one of the local gun stores and there were two very nice Parkers. One was an 1883 hammergun with alot of color on the side plates and trigger guard and the barres were a little faded, but very nice with litely pitted, but shiney bores. The other was an 1892 DH with close to 70% case color or better and very nice pattern on the barrels and the trigger guard showing little use. The hang tag listed them as "Fluid Steel".
I showed them "Damascus" written on the barrel and the "D" on the barrel flats. I was told that in EDM's book there was reference to Parker putting a fake Damascus pattern on fluid steel guns and he thought this was one of them. I took the serial numberand told him I would look it up. I reported to him that the "Book" listed it as a Damascus Parker and that I had checked The Parker Story and fluid steel was not offered on DH Parkers until 1897 or some five years after this gun was made.
He is an upright gun dealer and I am sure he has changed the "Tag" not to read Fluid Steel.
I have not reread EDM's "Old Reliable" nor TPS, but I do not recall ether mentioning that Parker made fluid steel barrels and marking them or coloring them to be otherwise. When an honest gun dealer makes a mistake in his belief and passes it on it really scares me to think what others might do.

Harry