Anomolous Parker

[Bruce Day]

Here's a little 1911 16ga.

Parker changed to the grooved, pinned bolt plate in 1910, from the prior 1905non grooved but pinned 1905 bolt plate. This has neither.

Parker started using the new style, lettered grip cap in 1888. This has the old style.

I have another little sub gauge C with front articulated trigger and both front and rear triggers checkered. Sometime I'll post photos of that one. That's another "Parker never did". This little Bernard here, so far as we have been able to determine, is one of two known. About 16 were made, so maybe there are some out there not publicly known.

[David Borrowman]

Those bbls are breathtaking.

[Rich Anderson]

I have a GH 16 O frame that has two distinct damascuss patterns between the barrels. this difference doesn't seem to occur in the Bernard barrels. Another one for the Hmmm file.

[Dave Noreen]

Sweet gun, Bruce. Thanks for sharing.

[Josh Loewensteiner]

When this gun showed up at our annual meeting banquet display last year, I got chills. Thanks for sharing her again, Bruce.

[Bruce Day]

I have a GH 16 O frame that has two distinct damascuss patterns between the barrels. this difference doesn't seem to occur in the Bernard barrels. Another one for the Hmmm file.

Rich, I'm no Parker expert, but after seeing and looking closely at least a minimum of a thousand Parker damascus barrels, it seems to me that the higher the grade of the gun, the more closely matched are the two barrels in the set and the fewer the short run damascus segments in a given barrel. Bernards are consistant, as are croille damascus in C's and above. The most mismatched are Parker's low end damascus, the G grade. However, even in G's, some are very well matched barrel to barrel and within each barrel. I think the differences are entirely cosmetic and don't have any effect on strength.

[David Nelson]

I hadn't realized how gorgeous those are!

[Rich Anderson]

I didn't notice the difference at first but it's there. The gun has become a bit of a project and when it's finished i'll post some pictures.

I have a GHE 16 O frame that the pattern matches as well as a D hammer gun. This just struck me as odd. I have only one Bernard barreled gun but there is no comparison between Damascuss and Bernard for the sheer beauty of those barrels.

[Bruce Day]

Two CHE sub ga original finish barrels.

[Don Dabro]

These are exquisite and I've never seen anything on bbl. that was, obviously, "not for year average BEAR"!
I don't know why, but, I always am so instantly "in Love" with any Gun,Car,Jewelry,etc., that is so artistically rendered or designed? Maybe it's because my whole Career has been
involved with - HOW DOES IT LOOK? FORD STYLING DIV.- as Clay Modeler, Design Sculptor; Disney - W.E.D. Enterprises, EPCOT PEOPLE MOVERS; and now, Prof. Fine Artist-
and, also, beginner PARKER COLLECTOR enthusiast!! I love these PARKERS - INHERITED a "TROJAN"12 ga.,30" from my lady's Father(was his dad's/ and Grand dad's- 1922)!
Don Dabro - Mich. Hunter

[Bruce Day]

While a person may not ever be able to find the above guns, a person can get close to it with the common GH damascus 12 ga Parker. Beautiful guns and not costly.

I bought the following gun for $1500 five years ago and had Dale Edmonds refinish the barrels for $300. I cleaned everything, took it apart and cleaned it, refinished the stock. Total $1800 and I use it for duck hunting and late season pheasants. There are always these guns available, just look for a good one, or one that has good possibilities.

[Don Dabro]

Thanks - Bruce, 10/4 - I have my TROJAN D/ 12 / and can go huntin' again!
Love Pheasants & grouse the most.
Don Dabro