1899 DH 12 gauge

[Bill Holcombe]

Well, play money will be tight and my wife's temper a little short for a bit, but I found me a damascus barreled gun with some nice engraving. I had actually backed off buying one because of some flooding issues at the house but then I made the mistake of calling Mr. Fjelline just to see what he had. First he was offering to sell me 3 G grade 12s in a lot that sounded nice, but at said price and with said financial issues, I wasn't quite going for it. Then he mentioned he also had a shooter grade DH. His description, did pick my interest, but I knew I couldn't afford a D, until he beat me to the punch and quoted me a price. Some prices are worth the trouble you will have to deal with in the future(ie wife's temper for me buying a gun while in the midst of repairing warped and damaged wood floors). Anyway, I ask if he could email me photos and he said he doesn't do email, but he would just send me the gun to look at. 2 days later it arrives via US mail and amazes me. He was correct in everything he told me, 28" barrels(which letter), Skeleton Butt Plate, nice stock wood, nice damascus pattern, minimal pitting, nice sharp engraving-three dogs 1 on each side plate and 1 on the floor plate, 12 gauge, the weight being 6lbs 8oz. This gun swings really well, especially compared to the 1100, Browning A5s, Superposed, model 12, and even the 32" VH. Here are the pics. I haven't shot it yet, though he says it is fine to shoot with RST and that the previous owner, whom he didn't name, but I am fairly certain is a PGCA member shot a lot of RST in it.

[Bill Holcombe]

Now you might be asking if the gun is so perfect why did I get it at a good price:

The barrels, forend, and action all come from one gun. The stock, trigger guard, and Skelton Butt Plate all serial from a different gun. While the barrels and such are in the books, the stock is not. They fit well, look good, and appears that someone else has already glass bedded the inletting, so thanks for that. So yes, its a shooter, not a collector, but I like it.

[Harold Ward]

The gun may not be matching numbers but that is one nice looking shooter!! I just love those Damascus barrels they have fantastic patterning . NICE!

[Bill Holcombe]

Thanks. The only concern I have with them is as light as they are, I am half scared to death that if I dent them, there may not be much metal to work with. Guess I will just have to be extra careful dove hunting...

Having said that in all my years of Dove hunting in Texas-20+ I have never dented a barrel, so I am not quite certain why I am nervous about it suddenly happening...

[Bill Holcombe]

Well, I will check back in latter, hopefully there will be more comments on it, otherwise ya'll are gonna make me think there is something horribly wrong with the gun.

Talk to ya'll later, have a good one!

[Steve Huffman]

I didnt see where you let us know what your good price was .

[Bill Holcombe]

Oh sorry bout that. $1200 including shipping.

[Bob Hardison]

Bill: I'll take two at that price! Bob

[Steve Huffman]

You may want to have the barrel wall thickness checked if you think their so thin that they will dent.

[Angel Cruz]

1200.00!!!???? That's got to be the deal of the week!! I'll take two please!!

[Dave Suponski]

And that Mr. Cobb is what generally happens when you deal with the great people of the PGCA! Congratulations.

[Tom Hawkins]

Nice dog on the floorplate. Those 3 Dog D grade damascus guns are nice. I don't think I would have passed on that one either.

[Bill Holcombe]

Dave said he measured them and they are good, he just can't find where he wrote them down at the moment.

[charlie cleveland]

them end of those barrels look ok to me...i would not be scared to shoot off the shelf ammo in it...parker made these guns to shoot factory ammo in and some of those loads were very stout espically the black powder loads...charlie

[Mike Franzen]

I would have bought the gun too. That's a perfect gun to hunt with. Great looks and a lot of style. It may not be a gun for the purist but I think if you ever have to sell it you won't get hurt.

[Bill Holcombe]

Don't get me wrong, I would love to drop $10-20k on some dream parker, but I know my limitations. Dropping 4k would be more then I ever spend on a gun.

[David Dwyer]

Bill
I am thrilled you decided to buy that gun! I have paid twice that for ones no better. Fjelline has sold 12 Parker shooters this year to guys who have never owned a Parker before. He just loves to buy shooters that are a little rough, fix them up, and then sell them to "new guys" at his original purchase price. He is a great guy and you got a great gun!
David

[Richard Flanders]

And it's a #1 frame? Wow. Nice.

[Bill Holcombe]

Bill
I am thrilled you decided to buy that gun! I have paid twice that for ones no better. Fjelline has sold 12 Parker shooters this year to guys who have never owned a Parker before. He just loves to buy shooters that are a little rough, fix them up, and then sell them to "new guys" at his original purchase price. He is a great guy and you got a great gun!
David

Thanks David, he was a true pleasure to deal with and wants to hear how the gun works for me after dove season. I have to admit I almost fell out of my chair when he said he would send me the gun to look at prior to buying it.

[Bill Holcombe]

Its my 2nd this summer.

[Daniel G Rainey]

Damn the floor, you can walk on water damage for a while. But, that shooter is the deal of several lifetimes. Danny

[Harry Collins]

I have a #1 frame GH as light as a feather. I love to shoot 7/8 oz loads in it. I shot around of sporting clays with 1 oz loads and it began to wear on me. A great buy! Congratulations.

[Gerald McPherson]

I always sneak a new gun in the house and I don't talk about it. No kidding.

[Gerald McPherson]

They don't call me Sneaky for nothing.

[todd allen]

That's a beautiful shooter, for sure! At my present age, and financial disposition, I have come more and more to appreciate nice, non collectible "shooters".
I love D grades, because they are the perfect blend of high grade, and usability, for the field.

[Mills Morrison]

Dave is a great guy. A darn good shot too.

[greg conomos]

I'm at the point where I need a secret gun safe that only me knows about....

BTW that is a very nice little gun!