Parker Try-Gun Research Continued...

[Christopher Lien]

This is a brief follow-up to continued research on a Rare pair of original old Parker Try-Gun related photographs acquired many years ago... The early 1900's photos show head office New-York Parker sales rep Louis Parker Sr, along with legendary trap/live-bird shooter and Dupont Powder sales rep Jack Fanning displaying a seldom seen Curtis design Parker Try-Gun...

There was a time when I thought my old HP Scanner did some fairly good work, that is until I decided to upgrade to a newer version with 6-8 times the resolution quality... Wow! ~ What a difference.

Something very apparent with the higher resolution scans of these old photos are the distinct case-color patterns on this particular Parker... As early Try-Guns were handled and shot extensively, it stands to reason overall case colors would be worn away more quickly on these guns. The Parker in this photo was still very fresh, and had yet to endure the knocks, nicks, and wear that would come later.

Case color and stock wood grain patterns can often be as unique as a finger print. I encourage anyone in the Parker collecting community who owns a Parker (Curtis) Try-Gun to take a closer look at the stock, and any faint case colors that may still remain on their gun...

I have provided a few images below that show a very distinct wishbone case-color pattern on the right side around the small screws, and also a close-up of the adjustable stock... There is one (PGCA) fella here confirmed to have a Parker Curtis Try-Gun, perhaps he will also get his magnifying glass out and take a closer look to see if he notices any remaining pattern similarities to those shown below...

Best, Chris ~ CSL
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http://www.webpak.net/~cslien/1ParkerTryG2.jpg
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http://www.webpak.net/~cslien/1ParkerTryG4.jpg
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http://www.webpak.net/~cslien/1ParkerTryG1.jpg
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[Dean Romig]

Chris, is there any way to know what grade the pictured gun is? It almost looks like it has an oval vignette on the side of the frame as would have a Grade 2.






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[George M. Purtill]

Chris- that is fabulous work.

[George M. Purtill]

I encourage anyone in the Parker collecting community who owns a Parker (Curtis) Try-Gun to take a closer look at the stock, and any faint case colors that may still remain on their gun...

There is one (PGCA) fella here confirmed to have a Parker Curtis Try-Gun, perhaps he will also get his magnifying glass out and take a closer look to see if he notices any remaining pattern similarities to those shown below...
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That would be Mr. Murphy??

I have never seen a Curtis Try-Gun. Thanks Chris.

[Gary Rennles]

article about a Parker try gun from 1915, not the same style but interesting to see.

http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1915/VOL_65_NO_21/SL6521029.pdf








Gary

[George M. Purtill]

Thanks Gary
Nice digging. I had not seen that before. I assume it was some kind of a press release.
Someone referred me to a similar blurb in a June 24, 1915 article in Arms and Man. In fact, it is almost word for word the same now that I have compared them.
I am working on a Try-Gun article for PP.
You should join the PGCA and write articles for PP!

[Christopher Lien]

Chris, is there any way to know what grade the pictured gun is? It almost looks like it has an oval vignette on the side of the frame as would have a Grade 2. .
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Dean,
Good eye, under close inspection there does appear to be an oval, and If I remember correctly, Murphy's Curtis gun is also a "G" as well... I have the info on his Try-Gun somewhere here in my files, just have to find it...

Best, CSL
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[Bill Murphy]

Sorry, Chris, the case color detail is gone on the "supposed" Fanning gun. All other visible details appear identical, but I am not getting any detail on your enlargements that would clearly identify the gun in my hands as the gun in the picture. Maybe more detail would come in an email scan. wilmrph@verizon.net

[Dave Noreen]

The checkering pattern on the grip of the gun in Chris' picture is a GH-Grade checkering pattern.

[Bill Murphy]

Dave, yup, it's a G Grade with an original G Grade stock and the Curtis mechanism installed on the cut off stock. It is a very ingenious design that makes the Parker factory try gun look way more expensive and complicated than it has to be. Chris, can we establish a time line between the Curtis try mechanism and the Parker mechanism? I have a feeling that there is an overlap, and the powers that be at Dupont just wouldn't invest in the Parker Try Gun or maybe Parker would not sell their gun to Dupont.

[George M. Purtill]

I have looked at the photo and compared it to the Parker made Try-gun and I don't see where there is any adjustment possible on the Curtis for cast on/off.
Is there?

[Bill Murphy]

I have never used them, but I think two screws allow the top part of the stock to be moved right and left.

[George M. Purtill]

I have never used them, but I think two screws allow the top part of the stock to be moved right and left.

Bill- can you bring your Curtis Try-Gun to the Annual Meeting? If you will. I will bring my Parker Try-Gun as well.

[Bill Murphy]

Yeah, I will bring it. Have your camera ready.

[George M. Purtill]

Yeah, I will bring it. Have your camera ready.

Awesome. We will have some good pictures made. Dean has volunteered. Thanks

[George M. Purtill]

Yeah, I will bring it. Have your camera ready.

Bill
Just a reminder to bring your try-gun. I can't wait to see it.

[Bill Murphy]

The Curtis gun is in the car, as we speak. Tables B-4 and B-5. I hope to see Dean with his camera Saturday, or maybe Friday.

[Dean Romig]

I'll be there Saturday for certain. Cameras are allowed in the show, right?





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[Christopher Lien]

Dean,

Looking forward to all of your Parker Try-Gun photos posted here.

I know you have a good eye for detail. Should be very interesting.

Best, Chris ~ CSL
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[Dean Romig]

Thanks Chris.
I'll take the pictures but I'm doing it primarily for George Purtill's upcoming Parker Pages article and so as not to preempt his article I'll defer to George's wishes about which pictures to post up here on the forum or when to post then.

Again, Thanks
Dean

[Paweł Janusz]

Looks like interesting concept