PARKER GUN Tobacco Tag

[Erick Dorr]

Tobacco tags are a collectible that I didn't even know existed. Reportedly there are thousands of different tags. Here is a "PARKER GUN" tobacco tag that I would like to know more about.
There was a thread about this 9 years ago but unfortunately it is lost in the archive and can't be retrieved. Does anyone remember any info from the thread? Can you offer any information on the Parker tag from personal knowledge or other sources?
How common is the PARKER TAG today?
Was it used as a promotional item by Charles Parker Co.; was it licensed; or was it an infringement? Did sports or men that couldn't afford a Parker pick up a plug at their local sporting goods store?
Thanks in advance for any information. This tag is about 0.50" x 0.74" for reference.

[George M. Purtill]

Very cool.
News to me.

[Steve Cambria]

Yes.....very cool indeed! Can you please elaborate on how they were utilized at retail? Were those brass tabs bent/affixed to a cigar or plug of tobacco like a wrapper?

PS---I don't feel so bad knowing that "Parrish" Purtill had no prior knowledge of these as well.

[Erick Dorr]

Thanks for the remarks. Steve, only thing I know is what I've learned by Googling the subject. One photo showed a tobacco twist with the tag points wedged into the sides of the twist where they came together. I read that the tags were invented by the tobacco manufactures to prevent dishonest store owners from substituting a cheaper product into a bulk box labeled with the manufactures line of goods. Originally wood tags were inserted into bulk tobacco plugs that were then cut to retail size. Eventually metal tags were inserted with injurious results. I assume the tag points were pushed into plugs for identification purposes but that is just an assumption.
I'm sure someone will jump in with more knowledge than I have.
Erick

[Destry L. Hoffard]

I've seen a couple of these over the years, the one I've owned was given to Muderlak as a gift ages ago. I don't think I've got anything to do with Parker Guns, just like the C. Parker guns sold by the hardware companies, a name that had a lot of recognition so it was used for various things. There's another one of these that says Parker Sword as I recall.

Destry

[Destry L. Hoffard]

I've seen a couple of these over the years, the one I've owned was given to Muderlak as a gift ages ago. I don't think I've got anything to do with Parker Guns, just like the C. Parker guns sold by the hardware companies, a name that had a lot of recognition so it was used for various things. There's another one of these that says Parker Sword as I recall.

Destry

[Erick Dorr]

Thanks Destry,
Would your tag be the subject of the post in the achieves a few years ago?
Erick

[Destry L. Hoffard]

It's possible.

It would have to be an old old thread because Ed has been gone several years and wasn't on the forum for a couple years before that.

Destry