Collecting focus/interests, how about you?

[Craig Larter]

I am always interested in other collectors and collector/shooters with respect to how they focus their collecting activities/acquisitions (if you indeed do).
I am a duck hunter so I have concentrated on 12ga Foxes and Super Foxes, Parker 12's and 10's but only damascus barrels (since Fox never made Damascus guns) and LC Smith 10ga only. I like big duck guns, beautiful Parker damascus guns and Elsie's since they were made in my backyard. My love of duck hunting has carried over into my gun collecting----how about you???

[Victor Wasylyna]

I'm with you CL. While I also hunt upland birds quite frequently, and have appropriate Parkers therefor, duck hunting is my true love. My DH 10 has become my go-to waterfowl gun. I hope my next gun will be a Parker 10 gauge hammergun. Been drooling over a few on Steve Barnett's site.

-Victor

[Daryl Corona]

Great topic Craig. I have my fair share of 12's which are used on waterfowl and I'm casually looking for that right 10. But my heart belongs to smallbores, mostly 20 and 28. They comprise the bulk of my modest collection. I'd love to find a graded Fox in 20, but we know how scarce and costly they can be.

[charlie cleveland]

i too love the big gauges when i duck hunt i use a longe range lc smith 3 inch gun in 12 ga...when hunting turkeys i use mostly my parker 10 ga a ph hammerless gun...then i use the parker 8 ga to hunt turkeys with some times it is good medicene on them...and i have used the 8 ga and 10 ga parkers on deer....the big gas come into their own in hunting water fowl and turkeys....charlie

[wayne goerres]

I am afraid I have it bad. Anything that goes BANG!

[Tad Tadlock]

I'm kind of like Wayne.

If you are talking about double barrel shotguns, I would like to get a Trojan and a G as far as Parkers go. That would give me at least one of each grade from Trojan through D. I also want another 10 and a Parker Hammer Gun or two, maybe in 10 and 12.

I would also like to get a nice example, mostly just one of each brand, of American doubles. I have a few nice examples, I think, of a few of those.

Right now, the doubles are my priority.

Now as far as the rest of them go ...

[Paul Ehlers]

I'm probably lean the other way from Craig. Even though I grew up mostly hunting waterfowl. My true love is following my dogs in the uplands. Being a man of the big western fields. I gravitate toward the more svelte light trim Parkers of any gauge.

My first love is an 0-framed 16ga or a Fox 16 with 3-4 weight barrels. I like them to be 6 1/2Lb's or less. Love Damascus barrels !!! This would be followed by anything 20ga in a Parker or Fox. My current passion is 1-Frame Parker 12's which are dimensioned on the trim side and come in under seven pounds. Then there's my repro 28" DT 28ga that talks to my heart every time I see it.

Now with that said: I can easily see a 3 frame 12 or 10ga Parker residing in the safe someday.

Oh heck. Who am I kidding. I'm hopeless. I love them all!!!!

[Dean Romig]

I prefer small bores but have a couple of 10's, several 12's, a bunch of 16's, a few 20's and two 28's. I like to fill my collection with unusual Parkers and composite barrels are my favorites. Unless a Parker has some kind of unusual redeeming feature it won't find its way into my collection. These days I shoot them all and there is only one in my collection that I haven't shot... yet.






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[Brian Dudley]

I personally like items connected to the factory and how the guns were made.

[Mills Morrison]

I like classic American doubles. I have more Parkers than anything, though, and have more G grade Parkers than any other grade. I like G grades as they have game engraving and are affordable (a big plus with raising a family)

[Randy Davis]

American Single Barrel Trap Guns and memorabilia relating to the history of the sport...

Trap3

[Bill Murphy]

I tried to reply to this post, Craig, but my computer went on overload and started smoking. I think Victor has his eye on Steve Barnett's minty Bernard hammer gun, a bargain at not too far north of $20,000.

[Phil Yearout]

When I joined my wife's family the only gun I owned was my father's Savage auto in 16ga. I took a degree of ribbing about shooting that "girl's gun". When later on I became interested in acquiring a side by side double shotgun I made sure it was a 16 gauge, just to puzzle my bros-in-law (who like to empty their 12 gauge autos at anything that flies); they couldn't understand why anyone would want a little pea shooter like that with only two shots in it!

I don't call my meager stable of guns a collection; more of an accumulation. There are two twelves (one a trap gun), a couple 20's, and even a little sxs .410. But there are five 16's, and finding a 16ga gun for sale - regardless of make - is what makes my heart flutter.

[Rich Anderson]

I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm a collector. I shoot what I have but lean more to the small bores with straight stocks for my upland pursuits. I love a nice svelte 20 or 28. I haven't hunted with a 12 in a long time but recently used a 12ga hammer gun on a quail hunt with 2 inch shells and am considering a British Game Gun just for fun. I like the long barreled 12's for sporting clays but at 4 there are two to many. The Fox bug has bitten me and like Daryl I to am looking for that graded (C or better) small bore.

It's been a long road from Belgium Browning A5's and Winchester M12's to get to Parker, Fox and English guns but it's been a fun trip and well worth it.

I won't get into the rifles as they are my other Achilles heel especially Pre64 M70's and custom guns.

[Ted Hicks]

New member here...first time posting and thought this would be as good a place to jump in as any. I've been around parkers all my life because my father collected them. I never actually owned my own but hunted with them regularly, sometimes without my father even knowing. About a year ago I became an owner/collector when my father passed away and left two (of his six) GHs to me. Both are 12 ga, 1 frame, 26 inch Damascus barrels.

One is a family heirloom that was originally my grandfather's. His name was Edwin Hicks and he left it (in a round-about way) to my father who was also Edwin Hicks. Now I have it, my name is Edwin Hicks, and I hope to leave it to my son, you guessed it...Edwin Hicks.

Anyway, the other GH is a resurrection project that my father started and I finished. Dad was a dyed in the wool grouse and woodcock hunter and he favored the shorter barrels and open chokes while hunting over his English Setters.

I consider myself an upland bird hunter as well so my interest is in Parkers that are suited for that, and I like the simple elegance of the G grade. To expand my collection, I would love to acquire a 20 ga CH (who wouldn't?) but I may be priced out of that market. I would settle for a DH though.

[Michael Moffa]

Lets see I collect what strikes my fancy. At the moment it is 16ga's with odd length barrels that are factory original and grade 4's. Um I forgot 20's with long tubes and factory no safety guns and hammer guns in all grades but I need 5 and 6 to be complete. Almost bought the 5 in Vegas but couldn't come to terms on price. All Parker all the time!

[Michael Moffa]

Also forgot the bug to own the competition guns. Now have SBT C 32, Double Trap CHE 32 and Skeet VHE 26. Have to get a Gr 4 in Skeet to finish that sub collection out.

[CraigThompson]

Hmmm seem to have an abundance of 10's all EH or G2 . Plenty 12's all V or G a decent old GH 16 and my little 20 VHE . There was a time not to long ago when I really really wanted an 8 bit that's passed now . I suppose I'd like to add an EH with factory original to the gun barrels that are 28" or less . Also a GH or VH 16 and last but most certainly not least a GH or VH 28 . And bear in mind what I'd like to acquire I also wish to use . I wouldn't mind a DH 10 preferably #2 frame with factory uncut 30" barrels as well but that's not in my priority list shall we say .

[Rich Anderson]

Have to get a Gr 4 in Skeet to finish that sub collection out.

Graded skeet guns are hard to come by. I had a DHE vent rib 12 at one time but that's the highest grade I ever got.

[Daniel G Rainey]

It as become kind of a game. A gun must fit me and the the bird to be shot with it. Many Parkers, those with a drop at the heal of 3 inches are more and length of pull less than 14 1/4 will not work. The older we get the more important gun fit is. The gun then must be choked for the birds to be hunted and size frame and weight should fit the job. My dove gun is a 12 DH 2 frame 28 barrels choked cly. and improved. For walked up pheasants It is 12PH 1 1/2 frame 28 barrels choked improved and mod. weights 7. For prairie grouse it is 16 GH 1 frame steel 28 inch barrels choked improved and full weights 6 1/2. It is also used for quail. I have a 12PH 1 frame with 30 inch barrels choked mod. and full weights 7 1/4 for pheasants when needed. While in Montana bird hunting this fall a 10 GH with 32 inch barrels found me. It is to become my turkey gun. I prefer damasus over steel barrels and the gun must look good to my eyes and fit my pocketbook.

[Jay Oliver]

I think I could probably talk myself into any Parker. Right now I have 10's and 12's hammer and hammerless.

I agree with Mills that a G Grade(or dollar grade equivalent) offers alot of gun for the money when you have those usual family obligations and small kids(and a wife that gets nervous whenever you take the Parker Serialization Book or Parker Story off the bookshelf).

For me, lately its been all about lifters. There is just something about them. I like the very early ones with the pin and like how they evolved through 1881-1882. I am surprised that the design didn't survive or last longer. It seems ergonomically superior to me, but it's all I have been shooting lately.

I'll keep looking for Lifters with unique configurations or higher grades(all of mine are grade 2 or lower).

At the same time, I would love to add a hammerless 20 gauge with damascus or twist barrels to my collection and a 16 gauge hammer gun at some point.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

I got to go along with Jay, I too like the lifters, just seems it is the right way to open a double. I mainly just collect and display, but a large display is getting harder to do by yourself, my wife helps and I appreciate that, but will just do smaller displays of harder to find Parkers, enclosed my display a couple years ago in N.C.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

double click for enlargement

[Dean Romig]

You have some awfully nice Parkers Gary. I, no make that We, always like to see them whenever you post pictures here or in Parker Pages.






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[Randy Davis]

Some of the early Trapshooting memorabilia...

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[Dean Romig]

Wow - nice collection! That's the most glass target balls I've ever seen in one place!





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[Randy Davis]

Thanks Dean! I`ve added to the collection since the photo was taken...

[Dave Suponski]

Randy, I got to tell ya. You have a amazing collection of vintage trap goodies. I always enjoy your pictures Keep it up!

[Randy Davis]

Thank you Dave! Will Do... I really enjoy the sport and history.

[Randy Davis]

At a NRA display show, I exhibited a display on Captain Bogardus and the Glass Target Ball...

Trap3

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Randy, That is one fine collection you have there, I would imagine it is hard to find those glass balls, I know it makes you proud to show that fine collection, hope I will get to see it some day, gary

[allen newell]

While is used to duck hunt quite heavily, (I had scull boats and sneak boat for years and hunted Plymouth and Kingston Bay as well as the Eastham Marsh on scoters and eiders) I grew up hunting upland birds throughout New England with my dad and cousins. The family shot only Parkers and that's the tradition that has stayed with me all these years. So my Parker preferences has been on 12, 16 and 20 gauge Parkers configured more for upland hunting than waterfowl. Brad Bachelder recently restored a very nice 12 ga VHE that came from the estate of a close friend. This VHE was restocked to my dimensions and will thus become my go to gun for upland hunting. I plan to post pictures and the story behind this VHE soon as a testament to Brad's workmanship.

[Randy Davis]

Trapshooting Trophies from the early 1900`s to 1950`s...

Trap3

[FRANK HALSEY]

My passion would be single barrel trap guns and Browning Superposes. I have tried to collect as many sbt as I can and I have a complete set of superposes, even one that was owned my Matthew Browning when he ran Browning. I am working on the first sbt that Purdey ever made, they were a pair from Purdey. They are very nice. I just want to make them the way they left the factory. The two were split up for about 40 years and it took me five years of constant searching to finally find the second one. Now they are back together and soon back to their former glory.

[George M. Purtill]

Craig
My passion has always been Remington Parkers probably because that is what I first bought with my own money (237194) and what my father gave me after college (242022).
However, my love of waterfowling and frustration with the availability of non-tox loads led me to purchase a PR Steel Shot Special and that has led me down the path to purchasing other PRs which are damn good guns and strikingly similar to my Remington Parkers.
So now I am a junior grade PR collector. Sometimes, I wish I was Kenny Graft(who has been very helpful with my current addiction).

[Eric Eis]

Well I started collecting by accident Parker Skeet guns, bought a 16 and then a 20 and 28 ga so I thought I round out the set with a 12 and 410 (didn't have an idea of the cost of a 410 at that point and neither did my wife... :eek:). So I finished that collection and then started to collect high condition Fluid steel DHE's and did that and then DH Damascus guns. Well the fluid steel guns were great and I displayed them a few times but I couldn't shoot them due to their condition (90% + ) so they went down the road and I picked up a few English guns (pair of 28 and a 16) that I am really enjoying shooting so I'm glad (an sorry) for selling the fluid steel DH collection. Now at my age I am thinking what guns I would enjoy shooting and letting someone else have the satisfaction of collecting some of my guns. I'll probably let go some of the large bore DH Damascus guns if I find something I like. The small bores I'll keep as I do shoot those.

[Craig Larter]

Eric we will all be standing in line if you decide to lighten the load of large bore DH Damascus guns. As a fellow collector I understand we never stand still!!

[Rich Anderson]

Unfortunately Eric won't be attending the Southern this year as his daughter graduates from college. Maybe he needs a broker:whistle:

[Craig Larter]

If I ever decide to liquidated my collection I am using the esteemed firm of Anderson and Purtill :rotf:. As most know I gravitate towards duck guns here is a group photo of some of my Super Foxes.

[George Lang]

Double shotguns, lever action rifles, Colt SAA's, certain other firearms,decoys and calls, custom and antique archery bows and stuff, pocket watches, knives sporting art, model trains, old tractors and misc other stuff. Way to many interests unfortunately now is the time in my life to start letting go and downsizing. But how does one choose???

[John Dallas]

"But how does one choose???" Start by sending me the decoys

[Bill Zachow]

Pretty much like George Lang, parkers, colts, pre 64 winchester model 70s, all pre 64 winchester 22s, mauser 22s, early smith and wessons, big old tractors and small ones-have 4 farmall cubs with different attached equipment, books-probably every gun or hunting book published in the past 45 years-coins, the classic sets, lincolns, buffalo nickels, mercury dimes, washington quarters, standing liberty halves and franklin halves. The stuff that was circulating when I was growing up, land and old tools. I think that covers most of it. Sylvia and I have a big house and a 100 foot barn. They are both full. I have started downsizing but a slow process. My kids will probably go nuts trying to figure out what to do with all this stuff.

[Rich Anderson]

I think I'm lucky in that my interests are pretty narrow compared to some here. It's just guns,guns,guns and that's limited to Pre64 M70's with a couple of lever guns thrown in, Parkers a couple of Fox's (I want some more:rotf:) and English guns. Oh I have some old wooden shell boxes and old cartridge boxes mostly for decoration.

As we age we invariably come to the conclusion that there is way to much stuff and that it would be better if we parted it out vs some one else who might not have the knowledge to do so. This is a decision I'm quickly approaching with the Winchester M70's. I have all the FWT's and only lack a 300 & 458 from having all the std calibers and have duplicates of several. It's about time to start moving some esp the duplicates. I have been on a custom rifle kick the last couple of years and we all know the investment made in them won't be recovered and they will pretty much take care of any big game hunting I'm likely going to do from here on in.

[Bill Murphy]

Prewar American made custom rifles, Parkers, eight to .410, gun paper, especially Parker, Prussian Daly shotguns, single traps, American and otherwise, Nash Buckingham and Henry Bartholomew information, Super Foxes, eight gauge shotguns, graded high condition Model 12 and 42 Winchesters, guns with serious provenance. My decades long search for the perfect Purdey pigeon gun ended this year when I found a high condition late bar in iron Whitworth barrelled hammer gun with all pigeon features. Now I can relax and continue my search for the perfect Parker. It is in range, but still not in the safe. I have started to retire my collection of old shells, because they are too heavy to keep. The next to go may be the eights and tens, for the same reason. Elmer Keith claims that he sold all of his Sharps buffalo rifles because they were too hard to move around. Now I realize what he was talking about. I guess I forgot the prewar Browning Superposed guns and the early trap and pigeon shooting memorabilia. I also collect early NSSA skeet memorabilia and early shotgun shooting trophies.

[Bill Murphy]

We would like to hear more about Eric's .410 skeet gun.

[Tim Thomas]

I got a good laugh last night watching a bit of "American Pickers". These guys travel the country buying antiques from people with sometimes multiple buildings filled with the things they have acquired over their lifetimes, and sometimes buying from someone's heirs who have no idea what to do with all this "stuff". Anyway, they are looking through the mountains of things this 87 year old gent has acquired and they ask him what he collects. He replies with a sly grin, through his Snow White whiskers "Old things. I like anything old except women. I prefer younger women!".

[Dean Romig]

Re: American Pickers - Just how "American" can they be if they have NEVER come across any old guns of any description?

...nevermind, I already know the answer - 'Guns' just ain't politically correct :shock:






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[Daniel G Rainey]

My two children are well aware that when I am gone they will be left with some much loved and well used parkers and empty beer coolers.

[Rick Losey]

they do occasionally find a gun, they bought a Krag close to the Rough Rider's serial range in a rerun a week or two ago

and some muzzleloaders - a few years back they had a Japanese matchlock that ended up worth more than they thought and they sent the guy more cash on the deal

[Rick Losey]

My two children are well aware that when I am gone they will be left with some much loved and well used parkers and empty beer coolers.

i have told the kids their inheritance is in double guns and out of print bird hunting and fishing books :rotf:

[Rich Anderson]

We would like to hear more about Eric's .410 skeet gun.

Eric's out of town but I have handled it and shot it. He brought it Quail hunting this year. It's a high condition VHE straight grip gun. A std configured 100% original skeet gun with 26 inch barrels.

[Rick Losey]

Eric's out of town but I have handled it and shot it.

that will teach him not to go out of town

change the locks Eric :rotf:

[Bill Murphy]

As long as Eric is out of town, can I come over and shoot his .410?

[Dean Romig]

Heck, let's ALL go over to Eric's :cool:





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[Randy Davis]

If he has any trap or shooting ephemera send it my way:)

RD

[Eric Eis]

We would like to hear more about Eric's .410 skeet gun.

Bill you saw and handled the gun when I displayed the Skeet gun collection at the Parker annual meeting in Washington DC, (years ago I guess :shock:) Man doesn't seem that long ago........! But anyway you know the gun, all the skeet options, about 85 to 90% condition, very nice gun and no that's not one of the guns that may be going up for sale

[Eric Eis]

As long as Eric is out of town, can I come over and shoot his .410?

Well I did loan it out to a Gentleman when we were quail hunting one day, and the last day Mike also borrowed it to shoot. Should have been there Bill I would have been more then happy to let you drop a few quail with it.

[Dean Romig]

Is it a PG or SG?






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[Rich Anderson]

SG Dean. Typical skeet gun checkered but, BTF, SST, 26 inch bbls and SWEET. I've had the pleasure of shooting it on a couple of occasions.

[Dean Romig]

Nice! Sounds just like JD's






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[Randy Davis]

Winchester shotshell boxes from the 1930`s...

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[Eric Eis]

Very nice collection of vintage shell boxes

[Randy Davis]

Early Trapshooting and Gun Powder Advertising...
1914 & 1920

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[Eric Eis]

Randy you have some very hard to find items in your collection. Very nice.

[Randy Davis]

Thank you Eric... i will admit, it has taken 25 years to amass...

RD

[Bill Murphy]

Randy, what kind of storage facility or building do you keep your collection in?

[Dave Suponski]

Awesome Randy. Thanks for posting them up.

[charlie cleveland]

nice collection of shells them repeater shells are hard to come by...charlie

[Randy Davis]

The Winchester pamphlets from the previous shot shell photos...
1890`s-1900`s Repeater`s, Leader, and Nublack

[Craig Larter]

Beautiful collection! Where do you find the heavy duty plastic sleeves for your paper. Thanks Craig

[Randy Davis]

Thanks Craig... Some office supply stores have them. Also have used amazon to find the pvc sleeves. I use the poly sleeves for some things (less expensive) and the hard plastic pvc top load sleeves for better protection...

regards,
RD

[Randy Davis]

Hazard`s Trap Powder #2 from 1890`s Hazardville Conn.

[Craig Larter]

Randy: Thanks for the info, your collection is truly amazing.

[James J. Roberts]

Randy,Nice collection,looks like you turn your home into a man cave like I did.:cool: J.J.

[Randy Davis]

Thanks! The downstairs has been...:) Not even a magazine allowed upstairs

RD

[Randy Davis]

1920`s Winchester Store counter advertising for the Repeater shells and Model 12 at the Traps...