Low Cost Cased Parkers

[Bruce Day]

I have posted several threads about Cased Parkers that show cases made by Mr. Marvin Huey of Lawrence, Kansas and high grade Parkers. Some of those are top Parkers and of high value. These are nice to look at but understandably beyond reach for many.

However, a person can have a nice low cost Parker and case that is near period correct, be a Parker shooter and not feel lesser by any standards. Here's a GHE 12ga and leg of mutton case that I probably have about $2400 in total and I suspect that kind of expense is doable for many, even in these economic times. This is my duck hunting and late season heavier load pheasant Number 2 frame gun. The barrels were refinished by Dale Edmunds and I refinished the stock and cleaned out the checkering. It has replica Parker gun sleeves made from Dave Suponski's originals by my mother.

There are also some cleaning rods that are nice to have with Parkers. They include a BGICO wood rod, Marbles brass rod, Outers aluminum rod and a C M Powers brass rod. These are fun to collect and do not cost much.

So these are low grade common guns and may appeal to some and not others, but I think they within reach for many people interested in Parkers. If other Parker readers have similar guns and cases, please post, it may promote interest and collecting

[Kenny Graft]

Bruce...thats a fine post there with lots of class. You are correct in the fact that collecting inexpensive items can be very rewarding and great fun as well. Thats a sweet damascus GH gun there to be very proud of! Can you make my GH-16 damacus wood look that good? Anything that can bring back vivid memories of our youth or of days long past gives us priceless personal pleasure. I also have a twinn set to yours under assembly. I perchased the leg-o-mutton case several years back on e-bay. I looked at them a long time to find one in exclent condition....think I paid about 75.00 for it. Collected several old wood rod sets and ends, some realy odd oilers and other items? I will get that stuff out and dust it off and do a photo shoot....(-: I will include pics of my damascus GH-16 that Bradd Bachelder restored the barrels, the rest of the gun has its original finish and DHBP....he did a wonderfull job on them barrels and Im very happy with his work. Thanks all Kenny Graft SXS Ohio

[Mark Landskov]

I have a LOM case that needs repair. The leather is in great condition, but the cloth lining is tattered. The divider is still there. Also, the stitching is rotted and falling right off! Is it possible to have the stitching re-done?

[Dave Suponski]

Mark,Contact Kevin McCormack in the "members" list on this site. Kevin does wonderful case repair....:)

[Mark Landskov]

Thanks, Dave. My description sounds grim, but the case looks really nice. Whatever was used to actually form the shape of the case is still quite rigid.

[Bill Murphy]

Kevin McCormack has restitched probably a dozen or more leg of mutton cases for me with great results. He has refitted a few trunk cases for me including the Abercrombie and Fitch case for a VHE .410 skeet. I don't know if there is a real .410 A&F case. I think most, if not all, are converted 28 gauge cases like mine. Kevin's conversion is beautiful. He also completely fitted an empty, but lined Brady case for an eight gauge Westley Richards bar in wood which turned out to be an improvement on the layout of the original case for the gun. It has to be seen to be believed. He is living on a recently negotiated fixed income and needs the business.

[Jack Cronkhite]

It has replica Parker gun sleeves made from Dave Suponski's originals by my mother.

Bruce: Is there a pattern or could one be made? What material is used for the sleeves? I can envision some synthetics may be somewhat abrasive for the wood finish.

Any and all: I recently got 2 decent LOM cases. Are there any recommended products to "nourish" the leather and preserve stitching??

Thanks,
Jack

[Fred Preston]

Here's a nice old Trojan properly protected; case and accessories by Jeff.

[Bruce Day]

Jack, I suggest using replicas of the original fabrics which I identified in that post about Old Cases. I could draw off a pattern but not very soon. I'm in Ely Minn and I take a Boy Scout crew into the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness.

[Dave Fuller]

Bruce, you're in Ely! I go up there every fall. Keep your eyes peeled for Ruffed Grouse, they are everywhere around Ely... A guy can really learn to love elbowing his way through 8-foot tall aspens, getting switched in the face all day from said aspens, hearing but not seeing the grouse, and, of course, the high probability of contacting lymes disease. Who needs leisurely days afield in the dry open country of Kansas hunting Johnny Ringneck.

[Jack Cronkhite]

Thanks Bruce. I'll scout about for some cloth as described. Certainly no rush on the pattern. If it were drawn once onto graph paper and then an image posted on the forum, anyone who wants to make them could reproduce to correct scale. Enjoy your expedition.
Cheers,
Jack

[Bruce Day]

We are in Ely and we are around town today going to the Wolf Center, etc In tomorrow at EP 32 Kawishiwi River with a first time crew. I've brought 100 to 150 boys over the years to the Boundary Waters, determine our own routing. Steve Kleist lives here and I sometimes see him at breakfast at Vertins or Brittin's.