What is your favorite grade and period for engraving?

[Craig Larter]

My favorite are the early AH's from the 1890's with the multiple birds and animals with the lightly cut tight scroll, the CEP guns are representative of this period. What say you?

[Greg Baehman]

What you've shown Craig is hard to argue with, but my nominee for favorite grade are CHEs from about 1905 having Rondel-style engraving. Someone awhile back posted a pic of a Parker that had double Rondels on both sides of the receiver (might have been a B-grade) that really turned my crank, hopefully they'll post it again, but for now here's a nice example of a CHE with single Rondels:

[Craig Larter]

Greg I must agree the rondel engraved guns are special and I sure wouldn't turn down a nice example.

[Robin Lewis]

I like the style used on some of the older Parker lifter guns. They are less busy but finely executed that include a combination of scroll and wildlife scenes.

[Mills Morrison]

I may be alone in this, but I like the Grade 2's and particularly the early Grade 2 hammerless Parkers. I like that they are simple and yet have game engraving

[John Davis]

I agree with Robin. D lifters and above.

[charlie cleveland]

just to purty to choose from....but i am kinda like mills the lower grades are really nice...charlie

[Mills Morrison]

I kind of like the underdogs.

Jerry Smith had an early AH that is to die for.

[Dean Romig]

I believe I have handled and examined that AH that Jerry had/has. You should buy that gun Mills... Jerry would be very pleased.






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[Craig Larter]

Jerry sold his early A at the Southern, I do not know who the buyer was.

[David Dwyer]

I love em all, but the AHE's from the mid teens with the semi deep engraving are fantastic

[Dean Romig]

Good for Jerry. An awful lot of people looked at that AH.
It had seen a lot of use and was obviously somebody's favorite gun. I wish I could have seen it when it was new - it presents a lot more questions than it answers.





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[Mills Morrison]

Unfortunately, that was out of my budget. I first saw it at the Fall Southern and it was still available in Baltimore. I was surprised it had not sold. Like Dean says, it was well used, but had a nice patina to it.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

I like the early hammer guns, the engraving in that period is just great, Gary

[Bill Murphy]

I think Gary's new B 20 has spoiled us for most other engraved Parkers.

[Bill Holcombe]

http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44408&thumb=1&d=1445261846

I am a big fan of the engraving done on DHs in the early 20s such as this gun Brian Dudley sold. I love the look of the dogs. I would probably have higher grades I liked, but I choose to stick to the guns I can somewhat afford to covet.

[Rich Anderson]

Greg that C grade looks very familiar.

[CraigThompson]

I suppose you can say I've evolved into a EH/GH Grade 2 person especially the earlier EH/GH style .

An EH from 1889 .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Parker%20EH%2010%20gauge%202%20frame%20circa%20188 9/20_zpsneqb7a0o.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Parker%20EH%2010%20gauge%202%20frame%20circa%20188 9/20_zpsneqb7a0o.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Parker%20EH%2010%20gauge%202%20frame%20circa%20188 9/18_zpsgcfnw3o0.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Parker%20EH%2010%20gauge%202%20frame%20circa%20188 9/18_zpsgcfnw3o0.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Parker%20EH%2010%20gauge%202%20frame%20circa%20188 9/15_zpskwt85laa.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Parker%20EH%2010%20gauge%202%20frame%20circa%20188 9/15_zpskwt85laa.jpg.html)

And an 1884 Grade 2 .

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Parker%20Grade%202%2010%20gauge%20circa%201881/Parker1891hammer10gauge003_zps91309b8b.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Parker%20Grade%202%2010%20gauge%20circa%201881/Parker1891hammer10gauge003_zps91309b8b.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Parker%20Grade%202%2010%20gauge%20circa%201881/Parker1891hammer10gauge002_zps4fe686ca.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Parker%20Grade%202%2010%20gauge%20circa%201881/Parker1891hammer10gauge002_zps4fe686ca.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Parker%20Grade%202%2010%20gauge%20circa%201881/Parker1891hammer10gauge006_zps0ade3e8b.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Parker%20Grade%202%2010%20gauge%20circa%201881/Parker1891hammer10gauge006_zps0ade3e8b.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Parker%20Grade%202%2010%20gauge%20circa%201881/Parker1891hammer10gauge001_zpsf7265fef.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Parker%20Grade%202%2010%20gauge%20circa%201881/Parker1891hammer10gauge001_zpsf7265fef.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f316/6pt-sika/Parker%20Grade%202%2010%20gauge%20circa%201881/Parker1891hammer10gauge005_zps7fca5e9f.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/6pt-sika/media/Parker%20Grade%202%2010%20gauge%20circa%201881/Parker1891hammer10gauge005_zps7fca5e9f.jpg.html)

[Dean Romig]

My recently acquired DHE 16 made in the heyday of hammerless engraving No. 163160

And if you've ever wondered where the term "flying turnips" came from, the engraving on this floor plate should answer your questions.



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[Dean Romig]

Periods of distinctly different styles of engraving is exemplified here in dogs (decidedly male) attributed to Frederick Anschutz (or someone who studied under his influence)... also on a DH but after about 1920 of so right up to 1930 when Anschutz passed away.



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[Chris Travinski]

I had a DHE in the high 179,000 range that had beautiful deep engraving similar to Dean's. I have always liked the D grades of that era.

[Dave Suponski]

Small world Dean...My GHE 30" 16 gauge is 163195 They were in the shop together. This isn't the first time we did this.....

[Dean Romig]

Is it mere coincidence or is it.... :eek:






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[Steve Cambria]

I couldn't agree more gentlemen! Hard to resist those "D's" especially the woody, piquant afterglow of vintage 1914 specimens. :nono::whistle::nono:

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w400/cambo1021/DSC_2816.jpg (http://s1073.photobucket.com/user/cambo1021/media/DSC_2816.jpg.html)

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w400/cambo1021/DSC_2110.jpg (http://s1073.photobucket.com/user/cambo1021/media/DSC_2110.jpg.html)

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w400/cambo1021/DSC_2189.jpg (http://s1073.photobucket.com/user/cambo1021/media/DSC_2189.jpg.html)

[Robin Lewis]

I couldn't agree more gentlemen! Hard to resist those "D's" especially the woody, piquant afterglow of vintage 1914 specimens. :nono::whistle::nono:

]

Wow, it may not be a Parker but that is one nice gun!

[Daryl Corona]

Don't get too excited Robin, it's only a Fox. But a very nice one at that.:bowdown:

[charlie cleveland]

yes sir a nice one for sure...charlie

[Rich Anderson]

I like my new Fox, AKA "The Growler" If it quits raining here I'll get in some more practice with it before Hausmanns. Next week it goes to the Pigeon ring at Pauls shoot.

[MARK KIRCHER]

Here are a couple cell phone pics (poor quality sorry) of my 1890 AH #59517 - CEP gun. I tried to get a shot of Mr. Gough's signature. honestly it is not my favorite type of engraving - I do prefer the deeper cuts and love to see a rondel, but I do stare at this gun. With 10 dogs and numerous birds there is much to revisit when I pick it up.

[David Dwyer]

Mark
I love Gough's dogs-very distinctive. The ones on the AHE 16ga I posted are very similar. Was that gun once Larry Fry's then to TN to you?
David

[Bill Murphy]

Steve Cambria, (toolman) is one sick puppy. I think it's about time the Fox and Parker guys schedule some match shoots between individual shooters, like the old days. :corn::corn::corn:

[MARK KIRCHER]

David -

I do not know the answer to that although I do not believe so. This gun sat at Orvis for at least 8-10 years. I have found posts on this site about it (type in serial number) from Austin Hogan and others. They had priced it for the economy at that time (20 -25K). It gradually worked itself down to an affordable level. I have exchanged numerous emails with the widow of the owner. She is a wonderful person and I expect I would have enjoyed shaking hands with her late husband. They are from the northeast - not Tennessee.

Mark

[George M. Purtill]

Here is a Gough gun that just sold at Amoskeag last Saturday. It's a Columbian Exposition gun, an AH that is now an AHE. Gough signed all 3 major panels. When it came back from the World's Fair in 1893, it was sold to a fellow in Connecticut.

[Rick Losey]

wow

[Dean Romig]

I went to Amoskeag last week for the sole purpose of examining that Parker AHE.
The engraving is about 'over the top' as we would expect to see on a Gough engraved exhibition gun - simply breath-taking!






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[greg conomos]

I like engraving...in that it adds a great deal to a gun's appearance when taken as part of the gun. But I've never been able to just sit and pore over engraving.

That said, I like the deeper cut, non-dog/elk/bird patterns that place more emphasis on layout and symmetry.

[Michael Moffa]

Does anybody know how many CHE roundels were made?

[Dean Romig]

The style of engraving is not generally listed in the stock books, or at least not often enough to accurately assess the quantity made.

I agree that the roundel style is especially attractive.


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[Chuck Bishop]

The AHE sold at Amoskeag is only one of many $300 dollar guns shipped to the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The shipment was over 100 guns, many $200, $150, and $100 dollar guns too. It would be great to compare the engravings on these guns if we could get members who own these guns to show pictures of them. Did Gough engrave all of these guns and were they all unique in there style and format? Parker must have started building these guns well in advance of the Exposition. You can't build these guns overnight.

[Bill Jolliff]

Here are a couple cell phone pics (poor quality sorry) of my 1890 AH #59517 - CEP gun. I tried to get a shot of Mr. Gough's signature. honestly it is not my favorite type of engraving - I do prefer the deeper cuts and love to see a rondel, but I do stare at this gun. With 10 dogs and numerous birds there is much to revisit when I pick it up.

I got to handle Mark's AH in the parking lot at the NE Classic at Hausmann's last Friday afternnon after the shooting was over. An absolutely gorgeous gun with a very special and neat top rib feature.

That parking lot Social hour turned into a fabulous Show ‘n Tell where all manner of some great Parkers, some Fox’s and I think a Smith or two were pulled out of cases and shared with the gang. Some really nice guns were passed around. It sure was a highlight for me. Thanks Gents.

[Craig Larter]

Show Guns guns would be an interesting theme for a display. I am lucky to own a 1897 and 1904 example. It would be a real treat to compare guns from the same show.

[Eric Eis]

I got to handle Mark's AH in the parking lot at the NE Classic at Hausmann's last Friday afternnon after the shooting was over. An absolutely gorgeous gun with a very special and neat top rib feature.

That parking lot Social hour turned into a fabulous Show ‘n Tell where all manner of some great Parkers, some Fox’s and I think a Smith or two were pulled out of cases and shared with the gang. Some really nice guns were passed around. It sure was a highlight for me. Thanks Gents.

Bill if I remember correctly you had a few nice guns for the show and tell to....

[Dave Suponski]

My favorite engraver is Jacob Glahn with Harry Gough a very close second. Even though the styles of engraving are very different. Great topic!

[Dean Romig]

I missed that Bill. Where did that happen, down closer to the gate?






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[Jean Swanson]

Craig:

Great idea----what about the Parker annual meeting in Las Vegas next spring to display "special " Parker guns

[Rich Anderson]

Dean it was about half way up the parking lot along the woods. I also got to look at Marks AHE and his DHE 32 inch 20. Some very nice guns came out of vehicles.

[Dean Romig]

I'm really sorry I missed it.





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[Michael Moffa]

Dean:

Very nice double roundel. Is that the "B" grade that was alluded to earlier? The rear dog looks like the "C" grade from the second post. I would venture a guess that they were the same hand and done in the same time frame.

Michael

[Dean Romig]

It is a BHE Michael, but is not the same gun. I like the other side of this BHE even better than the right side that I posted. It belongs to a good friend.





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[greg conomos]

Sam Ogle had this 12ga A for sale a few years back. I didn't buy it but thought hard about it. I like this gun a lot as it is a one-of-a-kind and nicely done. I'd really have liked to be in on the conversation that took place with the engraver when it was ordered.

[Mark Garrett]

I like the style used on some of the older Parker lifter guns. They are less busy but finely executed that include a combination of scroll and wildlife scenes.


The old hammer guns get my vote .

[George M. Purtill]

Thanks Greg- very different!!

[Dean Romig]

I'll bet a lot of us went right to our ID & Serialization books when Greg posted that one - but it truly is a AHE 12/30" with straight grip. VERY unusual engraving, and very nice!






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[Dean Romig]

Craig:

Great idea----what about the Parker annual meeting in Las Vegas next spring to display "special " Parker guns


I think that would be a great theme for the "People's Choice" exhibition at the Annual Meeting in Vegas.
Personally, I would not entrust my high-grade Parker with airline "baggage" but instead, I would ship it in advance to an FFL in the area - not as a transfer but as if it were going for repair.

Is there such a dealer in Vegas who would accommodate this?





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[Craig Larter]

Dean I feel the same way I would not trust my guns to airline baggage even though they are insured. I would like to participate in Vegas if a better shipping option was made available.

[greg conomos]

It was priced at $17K which I felt was a pretty fair price at the time.

[George M. Purtill]

Dean's idea is perfect. I would have to pay $35 each way for an extra checked bag anyway.
Can we get some ideas for FFL dealers in the Vegas area?
I would volunteer to make a group deal.

[Harry Sanders]

Entered at CEP request, Birds, Multiple dogs, history, condition, configuration, modern shooting appeal.

[George M. Purtill]

Thanks Harry
The CEP guns are an Exhibition by themselves.