AAHE Parker

[Michael Murphy]

I assume that some members on this board know the history of this AAHE Parker. It certainly is an attractive piece.

https://www.gunsamerica.com//914717774/Parker-AAHE-12-Gauge-RARE-FANTASTIC-LIVE-BIRD-GUN-32-BARRELS.htm?wl=1

[greg conomos]

I'm sure some do but most don't.

Nice gun, for sure....but I'm curious how the dealer knows the butt is a 'factory' Silvers pad. It looks way too new...plus even if it is a replacement, how does he know the gun came with a pad when no factory records exist? I'd be far more enthralled to see a SSBP.

[Dave Noreen]

Why is the trigger plate extending so far below the bottom line of the stock -- pictures 185 and 186?

[todd allen]

I assume that some members on this board know the history of this AAHE Parker. It certainly is an attractive piece.

https://www.gunsamerica.com//914717774/Parker-AAHE-12-Gauge-RARE-FANTASTIC-LIVE-BIRD-GUN-32-BARRELS.htm?wl=1

That is an absolutely gorgeous gun! If I were younger, and still competitive as a shooter, I would love to have that one in my arsenal!

[Brian Dudley]

Why is the trigger plate extending so far below the bottom line of the stock -- pictures 185 and 186?

Because the stock is either from another gun or was damaged/oversanded in refinishing. Both sides of the trigger plate are showing. Big time on the right side and the sides of the upper tang are showing too.

The gun has been recolored with Cyanide process coloring. There is so much of the trigger plate tang showing that you can see the striping! The wood has at least been refinished and the checkering recut. Pattern is incorrect in a couple places. Especially around the upper tang. And the checkering is a little too course for the grade.

I doubt the gun originally had a pad. Maybe. But it looks like this stock in particular had an SSBP given the look of the heel where the pad meets it.

The BTFE may not be original either. The shape of it looks not so correct to me. I doubt that Parker would have done full cover checkering like that on a BTFE. There is no photo of the end of it or the inside of the forend to confirm if it is actually a BTFE iron or not.

A lot of issues with this gun for the asking price...

[G. Wells]

Any explanation for .025 and.021 barrel wall thickness? Surely that's not original on a live bird gun is it?

[Robert Beach]

This Parker was a consigned gun at Von Lengerke & Detmold near the end on 1924. You could have bought it for $400.00.

Bob Beach

Archivist
Griffin & Howe, Inc.

http://griffinhowe.com/research-2/

[Dean Romig]

The presence of Remington repair codes would help to explain a few things about this gun to me.

Does anyone know if there are such Remington codes on the barrel flats?....Jay?





.

[George M. Purtill]

Very pretty but its not right.
It's hard to fathom a AAHE being beat up enough to need re-case coloring. Why do that? That's just my feeling.

[Brian Dudley]

Some seem to have no problem taking a 75% or better original gun and re casing it. They are only original once.

[Robin Lewis]

For a man with deep pockets who bought an AAHE new, its not hard to imagine that he would NOT handle it like we would today. Back then, its just a nice looking tool but a tool to be used. I have seen some "WELL USED" A1S through BH grades that looked like they were put through the same workout as many VH grades have experienced. Worn engraving, no case left, dinged and banged wood has been seen even on high grade Parker's; that isn't hard to find.

How many A1S or AAHE Parker's have you seen that are untouched? I'm not sure I have seen one yet?

It is what it is.

[Kevin McCormack]

Max Fleischmann's 20 ga. A-1 Special 2-bbl. set represented the most field-used A-1 I have ever seen and examined - truly a hunting man's Parker. Those of us who were fortunate enough to have examined it before it went to the "beauty spa" for a complete makeover can never forget it.

[Dean Romig]

Agreed Kevin... and the makeover sure cost a lot more than expected when it came time to auction it....:eek:






.

[Russ Jackson]

Max Fleischmann's 20 ga. A-1 Special 2-bbl. set represented the most field-used A-1 I have ever seen and examined - truly a hunting man's Parker. Those of us who were fortunate enough to have examined it before it went to the "beauty spa" for a complete makeover can never forget it.

Would anyone happen to have pictures that they would care to post , before and after would be great for the rest of us to get a look at an honest A1 !

[Dean Romig]

Very pretty but its not right.
It's hard to fathom a AAHE being beat up enough to need re-case coloring. Why do that? That's just my feeling.


I once examined an AAHE that was so badly rusted and pitted on the exterrior that most people would have considered it to be worth not much more than a parts gun. The complete restoration was put into the able hands of Dan Cullity. After his work was finished it was nearly impossible to to find a flaw that would indicate it had been entirely restored and re-engraved perfectly. I did find one flaw and I can say that the subject AAHE of this thread is not that gun.






.

[Dave Noreen]

One of the famous Edwin L. Hedderly, Editor of Western Field magazine, A1 Specials was pictured on the cover of the September 1966 issue of Guns & Ammo in its well used condition --

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/Ansleyone/Parker/Guns%20amp%20Ammo%20September%201966_zpsolnak7o4.j peg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/Ansleyone/Parker/Ledger%20Entry%2016-gauge%20Hedderly%20A1%20Special_zpsaao0a29b.jpeg

The gun in its "freshened" condition is shown in color in Larry Baer's 1974 book on page 23 and in black & white his 1976 book on pages 76 and 77. IMHO it lost much of its charm.

[Dean Romig]

Wow! I'll say it's "well used" - the checkering is almost entirely gone!






.

[Brian Dudley]

Super fine checkering is not too hard to wear down. In comparison to lower grades.

[edgarspencer]

Super fine checkering is not too hard to wear down. In comparison to lower grades.

Very True. The finer the count, the shallower the cut. There may be something to say that more surface area comes in contact with your grip, but still, it comes down to the depth of the groove.

IMHO, Worn checkering still beats the fancy schmancy guns with laser cut checkering from a well know American gun maker.

[Bill Murphy]

I have a picture in my collection of Edwin Hedderly holding the big 16. As I recall, he is about knee deep in a duck marsh in that picture. He was a serious hunter. Kevin will probably agree with me when I say that the Max Fleishmann gun is one of the most hideous refinishes I have ever seen.

[greg conomos]

Ed Muderlak's Old Reliable book has on pg 209 a photo of an A-1 that is 'sound, original, and well used' and indeed has plenty of wear. Doesn't say whose gun it was.

Actually, I don't have a problem with wear on any gun regardless of grade if it was reached through 'honest' use in the field or range. Then again....we all know a gun can be used and kept in nice shape so when I see a gun that is 'worn' with years of handling nicks and scratches I can't help but wonder why the owner didn't care for it better.

A rich guy can buy and 'use up' an A-1 Parker but I'll still have more respect for the poor guy who cares for a Trojan. Someday they'll both stand at the Pearly Gates...

[Michael Murphy]

I have an acquaintance who has many guns and collections of knives, decoys, etc. He says his goal in life is to wear them all out. Can't say that I disagree with that sentiment. Problem is, I have too many guns and too few years to get to that goal. If I had an AAHE or other high grade Parker, I'd sure try to use it as much as I could and let the next owner worry about refurbishing it.

[Kevin McCormack]

[QUOTE=greg conomos;182681]Ed Muderlak's Old Reliable book has on pg 209 a photo of an A-1 that is 'sound, original, and well used' and indeed has plenty of wear. Doesn't say whose gun it was.

This is in fact the Fleischmann gun; a better photo with ID can be found on the unnumbered facing page preceeding page 127 in the same book.

[Alfred Greeson]

The double gun journal Autumn 2007 has the "Parkers at the end of the Rainbow" article by Cote' and Herschel Chadick. It shows pictures of all gauges A1 specials and it includes the Fleishmann 28 gauge. Is that the Fleishmann gun you are speaking of? I believe they even sold a video of those guns and I'm sure this is old news to most of you but that article is a great look at a collection of A1 guns in all their glory. It is well worth getting if you can find it. Does anyone know if that video is available?

[Dean Romig]

Call Daniel or Joanna Cote and ask if it is still available.

The Fleischmann gun discussed here is a twenty-gauge, two-barrel set.





.

[Mills Morrison]

The video is good and I think it is still available. There are not chapters to skip around on the DVD which is problematic.

[John Cinkoske]

I have an acquaintance who has many guns and collections of knives, decoys, etc. He says his goal in life is to wear them all out. Can't say that I disagree with that sentiment. Problem is, I have too many guns and too few years to get to that goal. If I had an AAHE or other high grade Parker, I'd sure try to use it as much as I could and let the next owner worry about refurbishing it.

If you are looking for help to wear them out, I volunteer! :bigbye:

[Michael Murphy]

John, When I get the AAHE, you'll be the first to know!

[charlie cleveland]

its sad but most most of us will only get to see pictures of these guns or go to a musem and read the sign do not touch...i would love to finda high grade gun in bad shape maybe i could afford it and do the best i could with it...charlie

[G. Wells]

Still interested in the wall thickness and how it compares to original.

[Mills Morrison]

its sad but most most of us will only get to see pictures of these guns or go to a musem and read the sign do not touch...i would love to finda high grade gun in bad shape maybe i could afford it and do the best i could with it...charlie

Me too Charlie.