Connecticut Parker Collectors

[Jeff Davis]

How many of you folks are from CT and did that have anything to do with choosing the Parker Shotgun as one you'd collect? I 've always lived in CT, and I think our manufacturing heritage is very interesting, I've been in quite few old manufacturing buildings in CT, and actually work in one. These old turn of the century factories are fascinating. The number of firearms manufacturers that were (or still are) in CT is impressive. For me, I love old double guns, and the Parker's that were manufactured in CT are particularly satisfying for me. I'm fairly new to parkers picking up my first one just a couple months ago. I can see this getting addictive.

[wayne goerres]

It is addictive. The problem is it wont just end with parkers. Next it will be LCs and foxes and ow yea there are also english guns and german doubles exc exc. I hate to tell you but you are so screwed.

[Eric Eis]

It is addictive. The problem is it wont just end with parkers. Next it will be LCs and foxes and ow yea there are also english guns and german doubles exc exc. I hate to tell you but you are so screwed.

Wayne, don't forget thoses "Foxes" :rotf:

[Larry Frey]

Hi Jeff,
I'm also in CT and having grown up one town over and actually attending trade school in Meriden I believe had a big impact on my initial fascination with Parker Shotguns. I have been involved with manufacturing my whole life so reading the Parker Story about all the businesses the Parkers were involved in was really of interest to me. Many of these buildings are still standing although with new enterprises operating within. It would be nice to meet you, perhaps you will join us for a round of sporting clays in the spring when some of the local clubs open their ranges? Larry

[Bill Murphy]

Larry, do you have some information to give us about still standing buildings that once housed Charles Parker businesses?

[Jeff Davis]

Hi Jeff,
I'm also in CT and having grown up one town over and actually attending trade school in Meriden I believe had a big impact on my initial fascination with Parker Shotguns. I have been involved with manufacturing my whole life so reading the Parker Story about all the businesses the Parkers were involved in was really of interest to me. Many of these buildings are still standing although with new enterprises operating within. It would be nice to meet you, perhaps you will join us for a round of sporting clays in the spring when some of the local clubs open their ranges? Larry

Absolutely. Sounds fun. I haven't really engaged any of the shotgun sports other than an occasional skeet shoot in my Dads field, hunting is my use for all my guns. But- I've been considering joining a local Rod & Gun club because my wingshooting could use some work. I've been doing my part to make sure the grouse population in Maine stays robust.

Its good to hear there are other folks still involved in manufacturing in CT. We're a dying breed. Hopefully we get a Governor at some point whose serious about making CT an attractive place to do business.

[Larry Frey]

[QUOTE=Jeff DavisHopefully we get a Governor at some point whose serious about making CT an attractive place to do business.[/QUOTE]

Amen to that brother!

[Larry Frey]

Larry, do you have some information to give us about still standing buildings that once housed Charles Parker businesses?

Bill,
I can't recall if you came north for the Meriden Day's Celebration back in I think 2003. Anyway, when we all split up for lunch I recall meeting for the first time and dining with Kevin McCormick and Dave (Researcher) Noreen. The establishment we ate at in Yalesville CT. was at that time called The Britannia Spoon. Back in the day this large brick building complex which is shown in volume one of The Parker Story was then called The Britannia Silver Company. When I was very young and attending grammar school at Yalesville School, that complex was storage and retail for one of the largest orchards in the area. Today it houses a number of offices as well as Westbrook Lobster.

Now that you have me thinking about it perhaps a Parker Pages article with pictures of several of these old factories and a little of their history would be of interest to some of our members.

[charlie cleveland]

great idea...i for one would enjoy a little history lesson...charlie

[Dean Romig]

I believe it was 1974 when a fire destroyed some of the main Charles Parker Co. buildings.... much like the fire two days ago that destroyed a huge old brick & wood manufactory building in Lawrence MA, next town north of me. The Merrimack River, along which this building stood, during the last two centuries, was the source of power for manufacturing from Concord, NH, Manchester, NH, Dracut, MA, Lawrence, MA, Haverhill, MA, Amesbury, MA, and finally to Newburyport, MA where the mighty river meets the Atlantic.

[Larry Frey]

Dean,
I'm not home to look it up but from memory I thought it was 1980 when the fire occured. I still remember the pictures in the Meriden Record the next day.

[Dean Romig]

Maybe so Larry. I had a picture of the burned out buildings around here somewhere with the date.... I'm lookin' for it....

[edgarspencer]

In 1900, there were 14 Foundries in the city of Hartford alone. I owned and ran the last one, which I closed in 1999. It was, at that time, the largest steel foundry in New England. Old factory buildings are of great interest to me, and I've been through a mess of them. Many of those that still stand have been repurposed, many stand empty except for rats and squatters, and most have been torn down. Dave Suponski and I are always joking about getting the old UMC shot tower going again. It can't get any more 'brown' so what the hell.
My grandfather's cousin took my dad to Meriden, where he was born, on his 16th birthday, and bought him his first Parker.

[wayne goerres]

That would be great edger. I am sure all the PGCA members would be happy that your were doing your part to end some of the componant shortage and that you were going to give all of us a huge discount on our shot purchases.

[Dave Suponski]

Yes, The Parker Bros. factory burned in 1980. I was set on fire by kids playing in the then abandoned building. Prior to the fire it was used as a warehouse. The original office building for Parker Bros gun Manufactory is still standing and in use today.

[Dave Suponski]

The Parker Gun Works shortly before the fire.

[Dean Romig]

And the Charles Parker office building which is still standing.

And Babe Del Grego and Kevin McCormack on the 2003 visit to Meriden.

.

[charlie cleveland]

a mighty handsome office for sure...thanks charlie

[Bill Murphy]

I love that building. If it were only here. A '34 Ford roadster, my '74 Country Squire, and my Harley in the garages. But what to put behind the overhead door in the front?

[Dean Romig]

Your Deusenburg of course...

I took this picture in August at Bill and Linda's



.

[Bill Murphy]

Please replace divots.

[wayne goerres]

How about a lathe,a mill and a stock duplicater.

[JoeRags]

Born in Meriden and still here. Fairly new to collecting, but have always looked up to Mr.Parker.
Currently have one gun... Looking at another :)

[Jeff Kuss]

I knew I had this somewhere

[Robin Lewis]

No fire fighters in the picture?

[Dean Romig]

Probably no access from this side of the building.

[charlie cleveland]

what a shame.. charlie