What company is your favorite and why?

[Eldon Goddard]

Obviously we are all Parker Bros. fans but how do you rank the other American makers. I put Parker at the top and if I could explain why I like them the best it would not be number one. I put Lefever and L.C. Smith next tied and Fox under them then Ithaca. I know I am probably in trouble for putting Fox fourth but the reason for me to put them below Lefever and L.C. Smith is they only made 12, 16, and 20 gauge. No pattern welded barrels, unless I am wrong on this one. No hammer guns. If Fox would have made 1 10 gauge or 8 gauge I would put them in 2nd.
The things I can explain that I like about Parkers is the variations in mechanisms, the large number of frame sizes. The different kind of barrel materials, the recessed hinge pin, and I feel that the dolls head under plate is a true mark of craftsmanship.

[George Lander]

Eldon: To many you are comparing a horse with a mule. Parker & Fox are both boxlocks while L.C. Smith is a sidelock. As far as simplicity of mechanism nothing will compare with a Fox. JMHO

Best Regards, George

[Brian Dudley]

I personally like to break things down in my mind in different types of categories.

I think Parker is at the top by way of overall quality and reliability across all grades of guns. I think Fox is top when it comes to simplicity of design and serviceability. And Fox's base grade gun had more options available to it.

For sideplate/sidelock guns, Smiths have a great bolting mechanism (like Fox guns) and their ejector designs are simple enough, but when it comes to an overall package taking look, feel and engineering into consideration, it is hard to beat a Lefever. In my opinion, Bakers are the bottom of the barrel. They have a simple design, but the fit and finish on the lower grade guns is lacking.

Ithaca's wide offering of doubles does not have any one that screams out at me in any of these categories, except for maybe the Flues. All the others have their own downfalls and some are just way more complicated than they need to be. Anyone ever taken apart an NID? They have more parts than a Parker!

[edgarspencer]

I'd put Fox just below Parker. Early Lefevers are very classy guns. If my father left me an Elsie, I'd know I was adopted.

[Jeff Davis]

I haven't actually owned a lefever or fox. Handled them both but I've always like the lc smiths. Buddy of mine has a field grade featherweight inherited from his great grandfather who was an Avid skeet shooter. The gun has many thousands of rounds through it and is in rough shape, but beat up as it is I'd always admired it. Very nice gun to carry. So When I found one I really liked I got it. I picked up a field featherweight 12 with 28"barrels that weighs only 6 pound 7 oz and it fits me really great and just feels right for me for an upland gun. Well balanced and I think an attractive, though simple gun.

Same guy also has a fox also inherited that he's using now because his smith needs work. I haven't examined it closely but it's pretty heavily engraved, not sure what model it is. Attractive gun but heavy and seems poorly balanced. Not a great gun to carry in the grouse woods.

[Bill Zachow]

While this may not be in the intent of the original question, I will submit that Winchester is my favorite. Not because of the 21 but for all the other superb rifles and shotguns they made before and immediately after WW II. Their field grade guns were far superior to any other domestic manufacturer, and their special order high grade guns were second to none. Up through the 40s, their fit and finish was easily as good as Parker's. Different, but as good. I hope I did not ruffle any feathers.

[charlie cleveland]

i honestly could not pick just one gun company thats my favorite...each company has good points.. i like them all from the parker to the lowly stevens..charlie

[George Lang]

Lefever for design and adjustability, Fox for simplicity, Parker for appearance and sex appeal, and as a best kept secret pre-war Prussian Sauers just because. Just my humble opinion.

[Chris Travinski]

I like A.H. Fox and I wouldn't mind owning the right Winchester 21 too. I'm surprised at the price the Winchesters command for such a plain gun.

[Dave Noreen]

I love the Ansley H. Fox for its simplicity and sleek profile. For great engraving it is hard to beat high end Lefevers engraved by the Glahn family or the high grade Remingtons engraved by Joe Loy.

[Dean Romig]

For great engraving it is hard to beat high end Lefevers engraved by the Glahn family or the high grade Remingtons engraved by Joe Loy.


Being a lover of finest American engraving, I wholeheartedly agree.

Here is a Remington engraved by Joseph Loy. The picture is from a 2010 issue of the publication Massachusetts Wildlife.



.

[Josh Loewensteiner]

Hard to beat Loy/High grade Remington for engraving. Here is a Remington EE 16ga.

I am quite sure Loy engraved a number of high grade Syracuse Lefever guns. Dont tell the other guys on the BOD, but Lefevers are my favorite American guns for appearance, adjustibility, and engraving.

[Mills Morrison]

High grade LC Smith engraving is hard to beat too. These are from the 2013 Spring Southern. None mine, unfortunately.

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s577/Mills_Morrison/070_zps73213a76.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/Mills_Morrison/media/070_zps73213a76.jpg.html)

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s577/Mills_Morrison/070_zps73213a76.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/Mills_Morrison/media/070_zps73213a76.jpg.html)

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s577/Mills_Morrison/064_zpsf3b9c72f.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/Mills_Morrison/media/064_zpsf3b9c72f.jpg.html)

[Frank Cronin]

Dont tell the other guys on the BOD, but Lefevers are my favorite American guns for appearance, adjustibility, and engraving.

I love my Parkers but I am also a big Lefever fan. To add what Josh said, Lefevers fitted a higher quality wood to the grade of the gun.

This is my Lefever E grade.

http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc420/StubTwist/Lefever%20EE/20110701_12.jpg (http://s1210.photobucket.com/user/StubTwist/media/Lefever%20EE/20110701_12.jpg.html)

http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc420/StubTwist/Lefever%20EE/20110701_18.jpg (http://s1210.photobucket.com/user/StubTwist/media/Lefever%20EE/20110701_18.jpg.html)

[Dean Romig]

That's quite a nice gun Frank. May we please see close-ups of the side plates and barrels?

What a great piece of wood!!

[Dean Freeman]

My God,
The lines on that stock are hypnotic! In a word, superb.

[Frank Cronin]

Thanks Dean. I know you've seen this gun when I sneaked it on the gun rack loaded with all Parkers at one of the Parker Fun shoots at Major Waldrons.

http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc420/StubTwist/Lefever%20EE/20110701_16.jpg (http://s1210.photobucket.com/user/StubTwist/media/Lefever%20EE/20110701_16.jpg.html)

http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc420/StubTwist/Lefever%20EE/20110701_11.jpg (http://s1210.photobucket.com/user/StubTwist/media/Lefever%20EE/20110701_11.jpg.html)

http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc420/StubTwist/Lefever%20EE/20110701_29.jpg (http://s1210.photobucket.com/user/StubTwist/media/Lefever%20EE/20110701_29.jpg.html)

[Dean Romig]

Very Nice... You're a lucky guy Frank.

[edgarspencer]

The shape of the Lefever lock plate is so much more eye pleasing to me than the smith. Smith's are a lot like Rigbys, kinda duck-billed.

[Brian Dudley]

It sounds like a lot of is appreciate Lefevers. Not surprising. They are great guns.

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

Eldon: I have had the pleasure of shooting and owning all of the guns that I will mention and would rate them in this order. Parker, Lefever, A.H. Fox, Ithaca, Winchester 21, Remington Whitmore, and last L.C.Smith. Thomas

[Brad Bachelder]

After 40 years of working on and Restoring Doubles from Savage 311's to Purdys best, my favorite American built shotguns are:
The Parker Boxlock "C" grades, just the right amount of bling and unique features on the best action ever built.
Any graded Parker hammer gun, without rival, wow.
Syracuse Smiths, pure elegance with a simple and reliable design.
Grade 4 Ithicas, the 70 Mustang of the gun world, a pure classic.
Fox "A" grades, affordable style with a unique shootability.
Remington 1894's "E" grade, simply Art with great ejectors.
Baker Paragons, great design, America unapreciated side locks.
"H" grade Lefevers, genius design. The lack of embelishment allows one to apperciate the fabulous mechanism.
The Winchester Model 21 and Olin for his insight and ability to build Americas last great Double.

Brad

[Ed Blake]

Brad, not to hijack the thread, but I'm curious what you think of the British A&D actions in comparison to the Parker?

[Brad Bachelder]

Ed
I feel that"London Best" guns set the world standard for A&D type actions. The Parker action is the only one that I reguard in the same league.

Brad

[FRANK HALSEY]

My list would be Parker, Ithaca, LC Smith, AH Fox. I love the engraving on these guns. I have a few high grade Ithacas that are just gorgeous and my Parkers also have some of the best engraving I have seen. I am getting too old to shoot any ugly gun. Frank

[Bruce Day]

Thanks to Brad for a thoughtful comment. Parkers C's are also my favorite, and I am fortunate to have a good number and representation of them.

I also appreciate the Lefever, and particularly the E grade, as it is the lowest grade with all the adjustment features as standard. Forearm, trigger pull on each , lever travel and locking bolt extension and main action hinge.

[Bill Anderson]

This is an easy one for me, Remington 1894 high grades, like this EEO 16 gauge engraved by the best, Joseph Loy. Guns with just scroll just don't cut it for me, got to have good realistic looking critters.

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y480/TommyGunsNo1/EEOreceiverbottommedium_zps0bd61b09.jpg (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/TommyGunsNo1/media/EEOreceiverbottommedium_zps0bd61b09.jpg.html)

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y480/TommyGunsNo1/EEOleftreceiverclose_zpsce9107cd.jpg (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/TommyGunsNo1/media/EEOleftreceiverclose_zpsce9107cd.jpg.html)

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y480/TommyGunsNo1/EEOrightreceivermedium_zps4ec1c44a.jpg (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/TommyGunsNo1
/media/EEOrightreceivermedium_zps4ec1c44a.jpg.html)

Bill Anderson

[George Davis]

I don't look at this issue by brand (maker) I much prefer by firearm. I really enjoying turkey hunting with my old hammered 12 gauge Parker, five stand with my Parker 20 gauge, upland bird hunting with my Fox 16 gauge and trap or bits and pieces shooting with my L.C. Smith SBT.
However depending on the day like to shot my Parker or Ithaca SBT or upland game hunt with one of my other 16 gauge. So you might say I just like to make my "tools" go bang!!!!

[Mills Morrison]

I second George on that. Each gun I own is unique

[Rich Anderson]

I think my next shotgun will be a small bore Fox. I like the Ithaca's as well and have seen some very nice damascuss barreled ones. However after looking at some of the wonderfull Remington guns shown here I could be persuaded to adopt a nice 16 like Bill showed us. By the way Bill arn't you a long lost family member??:rotf:

[Eldon Goddard]

I find the responses interesting. I never knew how many fans of Ithaca and Remington are on here. I consider both of them great deals. I was not thinking about hammer guns but I agree with Brad. When I first started on this forum I did not pay attention to the Parker hammer guns, but the more I see I really feel that the graded hammer guns are real pieces of art. Maybe some day in the future I can get one.