Interesting A-1 Repro

[Ken Hill]

The engraving on this gun looks pretty good. https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/parker-shotguns-reproduction/parker-repro-a1-special-conroy-engraved-cased-4-barrel-set.cfm?gun_id=101075392

It’s a 4 barrel set. Anyone know of or had work done by Frank Conroy?
His website has some nice examples.

Thanks,
Ken

[Scot Cardillo]

Can't comment on Mr. Conroy but did you take notice to the fact the gun comes with a set of 28ga barrels, for an O frame?

Anyone know the story on that?

[Ken Hill]

No I didn’t notice the 28 gauge barrel was an O frame. I was too busy admiring the engraving. It is nice to see something a little different than a standard A-1.

Ken

[Dean Romig]

Nice gun - very nice engraving... It doesn't seem surprising that a set of 28 gauge barrels would be marked with the frame size to match the frame size of the gun... The surprising thing for me is that it is the first Parker Reproduction combo 20/16 set I've ever seen with a set of 28 gauge barrels. I'd sure like to see the original order for that gun.





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[Greg Baehman]

****snip****

Anyone know of or had work done by Frank Conroy?
His website has some nice examples.

Thanks,
Ken
Besides being an accomplished engraver, Frank Conroy along with Ray Poudrier, Jack Dudley and Chis Gilgun were the founding fathers of The Vintagers Order of Edwardian Gunners.

As far as the 28-ga. set of barrels goes, I have never heard of Parker Reproductions building 28-ga. 0-frame barrel sets. I have to believe that they were most likely furnished by CSMC (Galazan offered 0-frame 28-ga. barrels to fit Parker Repros for a time). The 28 and 16-ga. barrel stamps of this set are stamped similarly and consistent to the way CSMC stamped them for their Parker Reproduction barrel project.

[Ken Hill]

I emailed the seller. He thinks the 16 and 28 gauge barrels are factory. As Greg mentions, the barrels don't have the standard repro markings.

Ken

[Dean Romig]

I emailed the seller. He thinks the 16 and 28 gauge barrels are factory. As Greg mentions, the barrels don't have the standard repro markings.

Ken



Well, some folks "think" he's wrong.

How else can these two sets (16 & 28) be explained logically. Greg is right and I think he nailed it... CSMC





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[George M. Purtill]

Frank is a wicked good engraver, wicked nice guy and wicked good shot. He engraved my shield on my SSS that everyone likes.

He took my silly little drawing and made art of it.

[Greg Baehman]

Thought I'd add these pics of the subject Conroy-engraved A-1 Special 4-bbl. set . . . for without them, this thread would become useless to future viewers. In addition, you don't see Parker Reproduction tri-gauge sets on an everyday basis. When was the last time you saw one?

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Greg - Perfect!





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[Scot Cardillo]

..you don't see Parker Reproduction tri-gauge sets on an everyday basis. When was the last time you saw one?

August 4th, 2018

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You are such a tremendous asset to this community, Greg.

Thank you

[Greg Baehman]

August 4th, 2018

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You are such a tremendous asset to this community, Greg.

Thank you
You're much too nice Scot, thank you for the compliment!

Are you saying that you have seen another Parker Reproduction tri-gauge set, other than this one, on August 4, 2018? If so, please tell us about it.

[Scot Cardillo]

Should have been pretty clear. The first time I saw a tri-ga set was the day Ken posted. Never knew they existed. Within days you shed light on it and then took the action to preserve the details for others in the future who might be interested. Too nice - nope, just calling it how I see it.

[Ken Hill]

Scott and Greg,

Although this is a 16, 20, and 28, it isn't a factory set. The 16 and 28 gauge barrels didn't get the same engraving (no wedge scroll and aren't numbered with 3 & 4) as the original 20 gauge barrels. Not sure why the owner didn't upgrade the engraving on the 16 and 28 gauge barrels.

Do you consider this a legitimate tri-gauge set?

Ken

[Greg Baehman]

Scott and Greg,

Although this is a 16, 20, and 28, it isn't a factory set. The 16 and 28 gauge barrels didn't get the same engraving (no wedge scroll and aren't numbered with 3 & 4) as the original 20 gauge barrels. Not sure why the owner didn't upgrade the engraving on the 16 and 28 gauge barrels.

Do you consider this a legitimate tri-gauge set?

Ken
You are, of course, correct - this is not a legitimate tri-gauge set. I personally am not aware that there is such a thing as a legitimate factory-built PR tri-gauge set in existence, so let's not take away the fact that this indeed is a Parker Reproduction tri-gauge set, albeit made up.

[Scot Cardillo]

As Ken points out, it does seem nonsensical the 16 & 28ga barrels wouldn't have been engraved etc. But of course, who knows what the circumstances were when it was put together so it'd be silly to be overly critical. Bottom line - that's one heck of a nice and very unique set.

*edited to add - hopefully Kenny Graft will chime in and tell us if he's ever happened upon a set like this..seems he's seen a goodly number of Repro's and has a knack for finding some pretty good ones.

[George M. Purtill]

Whatever it is or isn't - I wouldn't mind being its owner.

[Brett Hoop]

Whatever it is or isn't - I wouldn't mind being its owner.

Exactly