Parker Cases

[Gregory Harris]

:) Hi gang,

I was wondering if anyone knows if Parker sold any guns when new in cases. I would assume so and wonder what the Parker cases looked like and if anyone knows who has them for sale. Thanks,
Greg

[Dean Romig]

Cases supplied with new Parker shotguns were not made by Parker Bros. but were purchased by Parker from various case makers.

[Gregory Harris]

Thank you for your reply Dean. I think purchasing from outside manufacturers was typical of gunmakers but it seems Parker had a multitude of sources so there was never one Parker case as such. Thanks again. Greg

[Bill Murphy]

The earliest Parker cases were the walnut fitted cases and survive fairly well. The next generation of cases were not all wood, so did not survive well at all. I believe these cases are pictured in catalogs from the mid to late eighties into the nineties at least. Many of these are referred to as "shellback" cases, not describing, as I understand, the constuction of the case, but the fact that the top of the case held rows of shells. These are pictured in The Parker Story. When these cases were supplied with guns, the cases are often mentioned and priced in the order by catalog number. I have not seen cases identical to the shellback cases with other guns, so possibly they were actually built at Meriden. I don't know that anyone is absolutely sure about that. My friend Mr. McCormack is familiar with my #38 shellback case that houses an 1897 CH grade Bernard steel two barrel set since he found the outfit for me many years ago. Like many cases of this era, the #38 case was mentioned in the order for the gun. It is in frail condition like most of these cases but is an interesting part of the history of the gun.

[Gregory Harris]

Thanks for all the info Bill. Could you estimate what type would have been used circa 1929 or so when the NY sales office was on Murray Street? Thanks again, Greg

[Dean Romig]

Very likely to be a A&F case.

[Bill Murphy]

Yup, what Dean said. At least two types are listed in late catalogs. There is an oak and leather case that is very rare, and there is what is known as the VC case (very compact) made in England for Abercrombie and Fitch and marked both "Made in England" and "Abercrombie and Fitch". These cases were purchased from Abercrombie and Fitch by Parker Brothers, Remington, and other gunmakers. I know of none that have a Parker label in the lid that is not an aftermarket label. Most have no label in the lid.

[Kevin McCormack]

Bill is right on - an interesting aside is that the only (to my knowledge) true English style oak & leather cases offered by Parker Bros. (late 1920s) and in the later years Remington (c. 1934 on) was manufactured and marked by the Utica (NY) Luggage Co. I reconditioned one of these years ago that held one of the Invincibles and it was really top quality and as well done as any period English oak & leather I'd ever seen.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Kevin, I just purchased a 1880 12ga grade 3 with the original box and cleaning accessories it is very fragile but interesting the parker letter says the gun was ordered with the case and acces. I will bring it to the vintigers so you can see it the lid is not attached any more but has a compartment in it for the cleaning rods and brushes etc a unusual oil bottle an it even came with extra firing pins and other parts . the case has leather covered over what looks like fiberboard? barrels set on top of the gun in a section made for them. I am at the coast do not have letter in front of me or I could give you the number of case and acces. regards Gary

[Gregory Harris]

Very interesting indeed Gary. My thanks to you and again to Kevin, Bill and Dean. I am going to look for the A&F compact toe under for my 1929 model. A similar substitute in new is offered by Jeff's Outfitters. Greg

[Bruce Day]

Bill is right on - an interesting aside is that the only (to my knowledge) true English style oak & leather cases offered by Parker Bros. (late 1920s) and in the later years Remington (c. 1934 on) was manufactured and marked by the Utica (NY) Luggage Co. I reconditioned one of these years ago that held one of the Invincibles and it was really top quality and as well done as any period English oak & leather I'd ever seen.



Here's one with its CHE 20ga 26".

[Gregory Harris]

Thanks Kevin, Greg