Clark Gable's A-1 Special

[Pat Dugan]

In 1984 I took an 1913 Family owned Trojan 20 ga that was owned by a friend to Ottis Odom in Sycamore Ga for him to send off to the DelGrego family for repair. Not knowing Mr. Odom, we had to have someone that was his friend to certify that we were OK before he would see us. We at the time did not know what we were in for as far as seeing fine Parkers. All I can say is there were between 100 to 150 Parkers and other fine collectibles in a special room that he had displayed. He showed us all the fine guns and wanted us to handle them all. He picked up an A-1 Special and said it had belonged to Clark Gable. It was a beautiful gun, but as I said we didn't at the time appreciate all we were looking at. He said at the time that he had more Parkers that were collectible than anyone else.

Another friend told me that he was the best and biggest customer of the DelGrego family and was responsible for a lot of the restoration of fine Parkers.

PDD

[Robert Delk]

In 1974 I went with Jim Austin to visit a local man that was a trap shooter and had several doubles.This was in Cedar Fall,Iowa. The gentleman was in his 70's then and was quite a hunter as well. He had hunted in South Dakota for ducks on the same marsh as Gable and had a photo he had taken of Mr. Gable getting out of a boat holding a high grade Parker and several ducks. Very nice photo and he said that the gun was an A1. All I could tell was that it had a beavertail forearm and a high grade checkering pattern.He also said Mr. Gable was very friendly and loved to hunt ducks.I should look up the family and see if the picture is still extant.

[Rich Anderson]

Several years ago Dave Riffel who is a dealer in FLA had a CHE 20 that was owned by Clark Gable. There was a letter from Mrs Gable attesting to the originality.

I'm sure the Hollywood types enjoyed Parkers just as we do today.

[Mark Ouellette]

Although not a Parker, Humphry Bogart kept his 20 ga LC Smith at David Nivens home where they would shoot skeet in David's back yard.

There have been threads on doublegunbbs.com about the "Shotguns of the Stars"...

[Dave Noreen]

Clark Gable also had a 32-inch barrel BHE-Grade 20-gauge that visited our PGCA booth at Sandanona about a decade ago. As I recall it had California Quail on one side, Doves on the other side, and the trigger plate was engraved with something like an English Sheep Dog that he and Carol Lombard had.

[Bill Murphy]

The Model 12 trap gun that Clark Gable sold to Roy Rogers was recently sold for $62,000.00. I'm not sure if that price included the buyer's premium. I remember the 20 gauge BHE which was a passable bird gun.

[Kevin McCormack]

Ottis Odom began collecting Parker Guns in the late 1950's but by the late 1960's - early 1970's began specializing in Parker .410s and 28 gauges. The last accurate count I was privvy to in 1990 was that he owned around 60 .410s and over 100 28 gauges, in all grades and configurations. Some time back, I forget the exact year, two burglars brandishing pistols broke into his home while his wife was home alone, tied her to a chair, then gagged her and ransacked the house for money and valuables. They had no knowledge of Odom's extensive Parker collection or its whereabouts. The theives left, police were called, and no harm was done to his wife. The incident so unnerved Odom and his wife that very shortly thereafter, he began liquidating his entire collection, saying that he could not bear to think of what they would have done to his wife had they knew about his collection and its whereabouts at the time of the robbery.

The Clark Gable A-1 Special has an interesting story all its own. Dick Baldwin, a longtime Remington employee and author of the great shooting chronicle, "The Road to Yesterday", told of the sale of this gun. His father worked for Remington Arms as a salesman and was manninig the Remington booth at the New York Sportsman's show in January of 1940 on the same weekend as the premier of "Gone With the Wind" was presented in New York. All the major stars of the movie were there, along with other Hollywood "sports" like Gary Cooper, Eugene Pallete (who played Friar Tuck in the original movie "Robin Hood" with Errol Flynn), Thomas Mitchell, Andy Devine, etc., many of whom owned and shot Parker Guns. Clark Gable came in with the guys and collectively they oogled the Remington display, which of course had quite a few Parker Guns to handle and examine. When Gable began to gush over the A-1 Special, he told Dick's father, Clifford, that he would love to own one but would not want to wait the six months or so to have one built, whereupon Clifford Baldwin told him he could have the gun he held in his hands if he so desired. Gable, delighted, made sure the gun fit him, then agreed to buy it and, gentleman that he was, waited until the Sportsman's Show closed to pick it up. Clifford Baldwin said the encounter with Gable and his purchase of the A-1 was a "triple-header", as he put it: He met the biggest male lead in Hollywood at the time, got 2 free tickets to "Gone With the Wind", and sold the only Parker A-1 Special he ever sold in his life.

[Dean Romig]

Thanks for that story Kevin. It is knowledge like this that needs to be cataloged - put to paper - a book of "Parker Lore" that we are only occasionally privy to know - needs to be compiled and published lest it all be buried, untold, with the holders of the stories. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction and there must be countless spellbinding stories of special Parkers and special people. Now that is a book I would buy!

[Jack Cronkhite]

Thanks for that story Kevin. It is knowledge like this that needs to be cataloged - put to paper - a book of "Parker Lore" that we are only occasionally privy to know - needs to be compiled and published lest it all be buried, untold, with the holders of the stories. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction and there must be countless spellbinding stories of special Parkers and special people. Now that is a book I would buy!

In the process of creating such a book, maybe John Dunkle can create another forum called "Parker Lore", the purpose of which would be to collect such stories. After a while, there would be enough stories for Volume I and then after a while more - Volume II. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.......
Cheers,
Jack

[John Dunkle]

....maybe John Dunkle can create another forum called "Parker Lore",... I certainly could do that.. It would be a pleasure... I set up a forum on another one of my sites in such a way.

Give me a few days to get it done, OK? I'm just back from a family funeral (my Uncle Bill who was a VET and helped find the USS Thresher) and today, I was working all day today and I work tomorrow as well (yea, I know - it is Sunday)..

Anyway - I like the idea.. There are many, many posts on this forum that need to be captured and archived.. Kevin's would certainly be one of those.

My Best Always,

John

[Dave Noreen]

Not wanting to throw cold water on a great story, but one who likes to get facts straight, the movie Gone with the Wind premiered in New York City on 19 December 1939. It premiered in Atlanta, Georgia, four days earlier.

[Richard Flanders]

Maybe John should start a book called, "Guns I have borrowed..... and still have!"... I'd buy that one!

[Kevin McCormack]

Right characters; wrong month and year - I should have known "Researcher" would be lurking in the wings! Still, not bad for a guy who started out collecting Browning Superposeds, then plunged into Parkers, and came out the other end of the muzzle collecting pre-War Auto 5's!!! Will the fun ever cease!? Stay tuned............

[George Lander]

I am fortunate to have an original program from GWTW's premier in Atlanta. My Mom and Dad attended. I was six months old at the time and remained at home with my Great Aunt.

Best Regards, George

[Richard Bozzano]

thanks for the info...I own a dhe 20 gauge,made in 1930...The gentleman who sold me the gun alluded it was part of the Clark Gable collection. I am curious, but enjoy my Parker with my GSpointer,Suzy...Richard Bozzano

[Bill Murphy]

Start with a PGCA letter, use the Griffin and Howe Parker research feature, post the complete serial number on this thread so that many amateur researchers with Parker tidbits can help you. Tell us what information you got from the seller. You may end up with some hard provenance.

[Richard Bozzano]

how do I find the Griffin &e Parker info? Sorry, but I'm new to this...any replies welcome...I don't like to give serial numbers out...richard bozzano

[Alan Phillips]

This thread brings back a lot of memories. In August of 1977 I first met Ottis Odom while trying to find a good 28 gauge. He was a little hard to get to know at first but once he warmed up to you he was a treasure trove of knowledge.
After some time elapsed Ottis agreed to part with a GHE 28 with 26" barrels, single trigger, Beavertail forend and checkered but on a straight stock. Serial # 236916. Several years later a west coast dealer, Mike weatherby talked me out of it. I still have sellers remorse.

[greg conomos]

I don't know if it is a larger collection but there is a guy in Texas that has a very large Parker collection that probably exceeds 100 guns, most of which would be deemed very collectible.

[John Dallas]

Isn't there a major collector in Bozeman, MT?

[chuck brunner]

I provided a new home for a BHE 410 that belonged to Ottis. The gun resides in the hands of a fine gentleman from Pa. and a frequent provider to the Bod. He has posted pics of the gun here before but probably would not have a problem refreshing the view. Here is a gun that also belonged to Ottis. This gun , A dhe 28ga according to the letter was a gift for winning the Western Amateur Golf Tournament and immediately traded to Parker for a 28ga A1 special affectionately referred to as the "little persuader" . The letter for the A1 and the dhe 28ga both speak of the trade. The Dhe was then repurchased from parker by the gift owner and remained practically new and covered in a dried grease when I purchased it.The A1 28ga was also,I believe, owned by Ottis. It has changed hands a few times but has been displayed for sale by a Michigan dealer and has been fitted with a set of titanic steel 410 barrels. Bill and Kevin are both very knowledgeable on Ottis's life and his story would make a great Parker Pages article.Here is the Dhe 28ga with very nice relief dhe engraving.The gun, when I photographed it, was still covered in the grease. The gun had all of its original case color and was on a 00 frame.Sorry for the lousy photos.

[Drew Hause]

Gable 1934 with M11

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/20002415/333126097.jpg

With John Barrymore (?M21) skeet shooting in the Hollywood Hills

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/20002415/391785140.jpg

[John Dallas]

Bill Jaqua bought the "Little Persuader" maybe 20 (?) years ago, for something approaching $100K The transaction was written up in the center column of the Wall Street Journal, and helped legitimize high quality guns as an investment alternative. The gun was sold quickly for what I understand was a handsome profit for Bill

[chuck brunner]

Bill Jaqua was another gentleman that has had some tremendous guns thru his store. A gun that recently sold was the "Roosevelt Fox". Lore has it Bill Jaqua sold the gun and financed it so that the owner could fill an already outstanding collection. Mr Jaqua was also a mentor to Jack Puglisi who also provided some of the rarest Parkers to ever come to market. I remember reading a paper ad in a gun magazine where jack had 3 A1 specials in 12, 20 and 28ga. All gorgeous guns in fantastic condition. These early collectors have seen the best of the best and its neat to sit and talk with these guys about the days when these guns were discovered.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

A lot of the Hollywood Parkers were sold through the gunshop of Alex Kerr. I just visited with a close friend of his a few nights ago actually.

Destry

[chuck brunner]

Destry -- you are right -- Rich's hollywood gun is a gun that was thru Alex's shop.He would order some really nice guns for his customers. Frank Pachmayer was another California dealer/smith that had more than a few good guns thru his shop

[George Lander]

Not wanting to throw cold water on a great story, but one who likes to get facts straight, the movie Gone with the Wind premiered in New York City on 19 December 1939. It premiered in Atlanta, Georgia, four days earlier.

As Dave stated above GWTW premiered December 15th. 1939 (I was 6 months old at the time & couldn't go) at Lowe's Grand Theater on Peachtree Street in Atlanta, Georgia. A relative of mine attended & I have his programme from that night.

Besat Regards, George

[Tommy Neely]

I was fortunate to know both Ottis Odom and his wife, Ruby and would stop by their home frequently to admire his Parker Collection. During a visit in the 1980"s, I asked Ottis what was the highest price he had paid for a Parker. His response was that a man had called him wanting to buy a Parker collection consisting of every gauge (12 ga, - 410) and in every grade available. I'm sure with the exception on the Invincible. Ottis explained he had every gun the man wanted with the exception of an A1 Special 28 ga. but new where he could buy this gun. Ottis gave the man a price and the man agreed. Ottis explained he paid $125,000.00 for the A-1 Special and the deal was done. I could not stand it and asked Ottis who the man was. His reply was that he could not remember the man's name but that he sold Lady's Underware. Guess Ottis was not impressed enough to remember, I'll leave the rest to you.

[Richard Bozzano]

Thanks for te info....Any whereabouts of the Joan Bennett DHE 20?

[Bill Murphy]

The Joan Bennett gun is in the hands of a PGCA member. I first saw Joan's gun in the fifties at an NRA show on Herb Glass's tables. By the way the person Ottis was referring to, if I am correct about his identity, DID own an Invincible at the time. This was well back in the days when the Invincibles were still "lost". The first Invincible was only "lost" to those who did not own it. That story may be told one day, but not today.

[Russ Jackson]

Gentlemen ,I am getting in on this a bit late as usual ,but here is one of Ottis's 410 BHE Upgrades ,purchased from Chuck a while back ! Since no one else has mentioned it ,I will Post a picture of the Stock Oval and Initials ,when I first purchased this gun ,Bill M. sent me an e- mail asking me to post a picture of the Oval and Initials , seems Ottis's Guns were inscribed as " WOO " ! As discussed before ,please overlook the Back Ground :rotf: Russ

[Rich Anderson]

I had a BH 28 that was one of Otis's guns but don't recall the initial plate being engraved with WOO. He had some very nice work done.

[John Dallas]

After seeing the flowered background, kinda makes me long for the "Golden Towel"

[Russ Jackson]

[QUOTE=Rich Anderson;97783]I had a BH 28 ...

I should have bought that gun Rich when we talked quite a while back ,it would have made a Great Set ! Just couldn't swing it at the time ! Russ

[Russ Jackson]

After seeing the flowered background, kinda makes me long for the "Golden Towel"

Be Careful John ,we all know where this can go !:rotf::rotf:

[Rich Anderson]

Russ I have come to learn that you just can't have them all:crying: Whenever I think I have enough something I just have to have comes up and sometimes it works out sometimes not. The fun is in the scheming on how to get it even if it doesn't work out. In fact I'm scheming now:eek:

[Russ Jackson]

In fact I'm scheming now:eek:

Rich ,Why am I not surprised! :shock:

[Rich Anderson]

I'm just goal orientated I guess:rotf:

[Tommy Neely]

I enjoy telling stories about Ottis Odom as it brings back fond memories of a great and unique person, never meet anyone quite like him. If you never had a conversation with Ottis, you must know he could not make one sentence without using two or more curse words. Anyway, I visited Ottis many years ago with the intent of buying a VHE 410 that I had admired for sometime. When I finally got the nerve to ask the price, Ottis stated he would sell me the VHE for exactly what he had paid for it. Knowing Ottis, I questioned this to be true. He bowed up and immediately pulled out a ledger book that listed his guns by serial number, date of purchase and the price he paid for each gun. I asked Ottis who had entered this data and he stated he had. He then demanded if I questioned the accuracy of his entries in the journal. I had no choice but to say no. I then wrote him a check for his price for the 410. He was a true salesman and good at it. He was also a Great Individual.

[Richard Bozzano]

Thanks everyone for the informaton...greatly appreciated...rich bozzano