Provenance- What do you have in your safe?

[Daryl Corona]

Well here I am recouping after my quad/acl repair, not being able to walk for at least 2 weeks. Missed the Southern but shooting for Ernie's. Finally got access to my computer and keyboard so I decided to start something that really sets Parker above all the rest. That is our records and the neat info we all hope for.

I acquired Parker 234255 in 1992 from a dealer in PA. Tom Gibbons was his name and I'm sure someone here has had dealings with him. I was looking for a 32" gun and it was advertised on the pre internet Gun List rag. I had it for about 15 yrs. before I ordered a PGCA letter for it. The letter was ho-hum. Standard trap configuration, 32", ball grip, double triggers, vent rib, VHE, shipped on 1/29/30.

Now the interesting stuff. About a year later I saw G&H's website listing guns that went through their inventory. The gun was ordered on 1/02/30 and received into inventory on 4/01/31. I saw the s/n in their database and emailed Bob Beach that evening.

The very next morning I received a phone call from a very excited Mr. Beach.
There is a ton of info on this gun and it's owner so I'll just give some of the info here and hope to write a PP article with the rest.


Seems the gun was ordered through A&F by a Mr. David K.E. Bruce. Born 2/12/98 - died 12/5/1977. His father was William Cabell Bruce, U.S. Senator fom Maryland. David married Ailsa Mellon, richest woman in America at that time. He started his career as a newspaper correspondent for the Baltimoe Sun in 1920 and worked along side a Mr. H.L. Menken. He was quite the diplomat ; Ambassador to NATO, China, UK, Germany, France and Under
secretary of State.

These a just a few of his accomplishments. But the one I find most interesting is his involvement in the development of the OSS (1941-1945). He headed the agency in Britain, landing on Normandy on the second day.

I've got much more on Mr. Bruce but thought this might give rise to others who have neat histories of their guns previous owners.

My next entry will be on W.R.Crosby and his 20ga. ordered w/o safety, 30", straight grip, compliments of PB.

[Rich Anderson]

I'm working on giving my guns some provenance for the next caretaker. This gun was used by C.O.B. to hunt Grouse in the Upper peninsula of Michigan during the heyday of Grouse hunting in the early 21st century.:rotf:

[Chuck Bishop]

I was going to say something along the lines that C.O.B. said. Someday someone will noticed that his gun was once owned by the famous Chuck Bishop, Research Chairman for the Parker Gun Collectors Association. He'll show it to his friends and handle it with awe knowing it was once owned by someone famous in his own mind:rolleyes:

[Daryl Corona]

Good try Rich. Not quite in the same league but then again you are a legend in your own mind. Now I see where C.O.B. originated from. I guess I'll have to let you shoot that 32'' DHE20 for a while so it can gain some UP history.:rotf:

[CraigThompson]

Lets see I have a 20 gauge Philly Sterlingworth 28" M&F that belonged to Robert Montgomery a 1920's 1930's actor and father of Bewitched's Elizabeth Montgomery .

I have a W&C Scott back action hammerless 10 gauge circa 1881 that belonged to one of the DuPonts of DuPont powder fame .

Also have a pair of W&C Scott's a 12 gauge hammerless sidelock and a 20 gauge hammerless back action lock that belonged to one of the lastPeter's of the Peters Cartridge Company . This fellow was also a relatively close neighbor .

Not much by most folks assessment but the best I can do on short notice LOL's !

[Frank Srebro]

Daryl, it's good to hear you're recovering. I missed you at the Southern. Hope to see you at Hausmann's. Your Bruce gun sounds pretty neat!

Well it's not a Parker but I have a 32-inch straight grip CE Fox with 1/weight barrels, documented that Ansley once brought her in for a small repair. I'm thinking of bringing her to the NE SxS and a good friend like you can handle and rub off some of AH's DNA. Ha. :cool:

[Michael Murphy]

The closest I come is a Browning Continental set (20ga. / 30-06) that belonged to the late Robert Urich of "Spencer for Hire" and movie fame. He was a member of one of the gun clubs I belonged to. I also have a Rigby Hammer gun circa 1888. Goodness knows who previously had owned it over those many years.

[Chris Travinski]

Hi Daryl, What grade is the 20 ga.? I have a nice one in the same configuration also, I believe you looked it over at Ernie's last summer. Hope to see you there again this year!

[Daryl Corona]

It's a VH Chris It's interesting that a pro shooter ordered it without ejectors. He also specified the amount of pitch he wanted, something I don't think I've ever seen on a factory letter before. Maybe Chuck has seen pitch mentioned in some of the letters he has done. Hope to see you all at Ernies.

[Frank Cronin]

I have an 1896 LC Smith Pigeon ordered by WG Sergeant from Joplin, MO. It is a straight grip with ejectors and 30" barrels.

Researching the old Sporting Life magazines, WG Sergeant was an amateur trap shooter who was a pretty good shot winning events and prizes in the amateur trap shooting tournaments in the area. The Joplin Tournament on May 9, 1896 Fred Gilbert won first prize of the three day event with general average of 92.7 breaking 445 targets out of 480. WG Sergeant came in fifth place with a general average of 88.9%.

He was secretary of the Missouri and Kansas Gun Club, and was influential in the development of the game of trap. Initially, trap shooters using new disks participated in teams of six, one man behind each of five trap houses and an “extra” that rotated out after position number five. In, 1885, W.G. Sergeant of Joplin, Missouri, changed the game to incorporate three traps known to be called the Sergeant system. Two years later, five shooters were shooting from five stations behind one trap. So the game remains....

This is the gun I use in my trap league.

[greg conomos]

I have a BH 12 ordered new by HD Kirkover Jr that I've blabbed about on other threads. He was a big wheel in the Buffalo NY area around the turn of the century (the 1800's - 1900's turn) and a renowned trapshooter of the time.

[George M. Purtill]

Just discovered this thread.[played with honeybees and architects all yesterday at the Cape]
This is good stuff boys.
This is why I write articles for PP. Provenance is both priceless and pricey, it depends how you feel about history.
To some, a Parker is just metal and wood.
To me it is nothing without the people who bothered to make it perfect, ordered it, sold it and used it. I wish we could know everything about that chain of title.
I have trouble selling guns that I know a lot about- they become like members of my family.

[Daryl Corona]

Could'nt have said it any better George. Thanks. Keep them coming boys.... I know there is a lot more out there.

Bees George? We need to talk!

[Craig Larter]

Daryl: I hope your ACL repair heels up in time for Hausmann's I am told ACL's are not fun.
I have a DH no-safety that went to TH Keller Eastern Sales Manager for Peters Cartridge CO. I have a PH that was presented to a Mr. BR Morris by his shop employees in 1908 in Iowa (He was a railroad shop manage--they must have like the guy) . A BHE that was displayed by Novell Shapleight during the 1904 World's Fair in St Louis. I have other guns that I have hit a wall on with respect to provenance. I am hoping as Google digitizes more stuff I can learn more about them. Craig Larter

[Daryl Corona]

Thanks Craig. This torn ACL/Quad thing really sucks but I'm doing everything the surgeon said to do plus 10. It really is amazing what some of these old time companies gave their retiring employees. I bought a GHE 16 w/damascus barrels from the grandson of the former equipment manager of the old Baltimore Orioles. Seems they gave it to him upon his retirement.
That being said, I have a friend who retired 4-5yrs. ago and the people in his office gave him a very nice Ceasar Guerini (sp?) as his going away present.

[Greg Baehman]

Athletes like you Daryl are usually out of commission for close to a year with ACL's, sounds like you're way ahead of the game. Good shooting at Hausmann's if you make it!

[Bill Murphy]

Like Craig Larter, I own a Parker once owned by the famous shooter, waterfowler, and Peters Cartridge Company representative, T.H. Keller. It is the only hammerless 8 gauge Parker made with 30" barrels. It is a DH Grade and a good representation of Keller's reputation as a serious waterfowler. Check out Craig's DGJ article on Keller's 12 gauge an issue or two ago.

[Bill Murphy]

I have the C Grade 33" Bernard Steel #4 frame hammer gun made for Parker company shooter W.S. Perry. Unfortunately, shortly after this gun was made, Parker wanted to put the new hammerless guns into the hands of company shooters, and the old ten gauge C Grade never much made it out of the house. Parker built Mr. Perry a hammerless 10 gauge DH Grade as soon as they were available in 1889.

[Mills Morrison]

I have a GH owned by the first mayor of Virginia Beach whose house the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum now resides in. Not a looker but a waterfowl gun through and through

[Craig Larter]

Mills: Guns with provenance or partial provenance would make a great theme for next years Southern. It sure would be an eclectic gathering of Parker guns but big fun in my opinion. I hate to see all the tables in the Parker tent go basically empty.

[Mills Morrison]

We are working on that Craig and your idea is a good one.

[Craig Larter]

Mills: Thanks for all your efforts I am sure you will do a great job in the future with a Parker Southern display. I think charging for tables is a dis-intensive to most collectors who want to share one or two interesting guns with fellow members. Guys like eight-bore have many interesting Parker I bet they would be willing to display if there was no costs involved. If I can be of any assistance in the future please feel free to contact me. Craig Larter

[Daryl Corona]

Great idea Craig. Another topic for a display could be "your favorite shooter".

[Daryl Corona]

Athletes like you Daryl are usually out of commission for close to a year with ACL's, sounds like you're way ahead of the game. Good shooting at Hausmann's if you make it!

Well Greg, I've decided to give up my NFL contract:) so I'll just be happy to be able to go from the golf cart to the shooting stand. Thanks for the vote of confidence.

[Bill Murphy]

Daryl will be glad to know that I am caring for the AHE Double Trap owned by Baltimore shooter Jack R. Groves, a member of the predecessor clubs to Daryl's Loch Raven Skeet and Trap. This gun's provenance goes back farther than Jack Groves, having been originally ordered by 15 year Pennsylvania Trapshooting Association secretary and Reading PA gun dealer, George Neubling. Also in my safe is George Neubling's 34" SC Grade single trap gun. It's amazing how close these guns stay to their original homes. Both guns were found within a few miles of Baltimore. It is also amazing how well these heavily used competition Parkers have held up over time.

[edgarspencer]

Gary Herman sold my dad a lot of Parkers right up till he died. My dad, not Gary; he's still alive. One particular 16ga. CHE was purported to have belonged to Dwight Eisenhower, prior to becoming president. There was no backup documentation so we took it with a grain of salt. Pete Harvey sold the old boy a BHE20 (the gun I miss the most) which belonged to a member of the Bissell family. John Bissell was one of the founding citizens of Windors CT. His grandson went into partnership with Christopher Spencer (Spencer repeating carbine) who was my great grandfather's first cousin.
My GHE 28 was bought by an up and coming New Yorker Bank Vice President, E.H.Rawls. The next entry in the A&F ledger for GH elector guns was the purchase of a GHE 20, by E.F. Hutton.
The gun I have with the most significant provenance to me is a VH 16, on a one frame, bought on his 16th birthday by my hero and mentor, Edgar Spencer Jr.

[Daryl Corona]

I'm familiar with Mr. Groves but had no idea he shot a Parker. Good stuff Bill, I knew you would be the motherload of provenance.

[Daryl Corona]

Great stuff Edgar. Provenance is the best when you can link it with relatives.

[Bill Murphy]

My most heavily provenanced Parker is an eight gauge ordered by and owned and shot by a Nebraska homesteader. The family is a microcosm of early American farm and homesteading life. Obviously, the family used the gun extensively for prairie waterfowling. Later in life, when eight gauges were outlawed, they sent the gun back to Parker Brothers for 10 gauge 3 1/2" 34" Vulcan Steel barrels so the gun would still be useful and legal for waterfowl. I have the family history in my files and it is truly the most interesting piece of Parker history I have ever found. The owners are not only waterfowlers, but also appear in early ATA average books as somewhat active trapshooters. Unfortunately, the original eight gauge barrels are not with the gun.

[George M. Purtill]

My W300 Dodge was originally bought and always used by the Idaho Fish and Game department.
It was used to stock fish in the mountains.
Now it's used to transport Charlie Purple.

[George M. Purtill]

Sorry Daryl. I love provenance on anything. Even old trucks. It took a long time to track down these pictures!!!

[Bill Bates]

This well used old post WWII Smith & Wesson transition 3rd. Model .44 Special came from the estate of the infamous Las Vegas casino owner Teddy Binion.

http://m5.i.pbase.com/o6/10/209910/1/131022515.XdQpabj8.Smithwesson44.jpg

[todd allen]

My W300 Dodge was originally bought and always used by the Idaho Fish and Game department.
It was used to stock fish in the mountains.
Now it's used to transport Charlie Purple.

That truck is way cool! What year is it. Engine, transmission?

[George M. Purtill]

That truck is way cool! What year is it. Engine, transmission?

1970 318V8 4 speed PTO winch with 2 speed transfer case

[John Davis]

Xxx

[todd allen]

I have three guns with some providence.
One is a BHE 12 serial no; 132686. The grip cap is engraved with; C.D. Smith Albany GA
I believe it to be the gentleman on the right.
http://cdm.georgiaarchives.org:2011/cdm/singleitem/collection/vg2/id/5222/rec/2

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Daryl, you were certainly missed at the Southern. Do the PT as directed.
Someone earlier mentioned Robert Urich. he grew up in Toronto ,Ohio just 45 min from me. I was his guide in 1989 at the National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt in Grand Rapids, MInnesota. My stepson , Jeremy, has been with me since he was 3. His father died young of a brain tumor, but he grew up with Robert Urich and they were close friends. Urich was a genuinely nice guy.

[Dean Romig]

Urich lived right up the street from me when he moved out here for the Spencer For Hire series, which were all shot in the greater Boston area. One of his motives for living here was the best hospitals in Boston... too bad they couldn't save his wife. He moved out shortly after her death.
He was a very friendly guy - a nice guy.

[Bob Brown]

I have a 1 1/2 frame DH 12 that was ordered by the pro shooter Keller who has been mentioned a couple of times in this thread. It lettered with it's unusual choke set up as full right, cylinder left.
I bought a GH with a factory engraved trigger guard with Robin Hood on it out of Ontario. It wasn't original to the gun, so I sent in for a letter on the serial number stamped on the underside. The original gun was a BH trap gun built for a pro shooter out of the Fargo-Moorhead area. It was ordered by and shipped to a dealer in my home town of Winnipeg. His name was Ferguson and he occasionally shot professionally under the name Robin Hood. It took a couple of years to click, but I realized later that I already had the SSBP off that BH that my father (who still lives in Winnipeg) had given me a couple of years before I bought the GH. The butt plate had two serial numbers including an earlier one. The letter stated that Ferguson supplied the butt plate.
I also have a 16 bore, push forward under lever, bar in wood Purdey hammer gun, completed in 1878 for the Baron Anthony Rothschild, banker to the British court. Looked into their family history a bit. Very interesting and powerful family.

[Bill Holcombe]

Rotschilds, now that is some impressive provenance. There is some great history with that family. I have a book on them and a book on the Morgan banking family and in a lot of ways it is the history of the modern financial system.