The Parker Trap Gun

[Kirk Potter]

Do not confuse this with the regular top lever which differs materially from the trap. Huh? Is this just marketing?

[Drew Hause]

Kirk: this is mostly courtesy of Mark Conrad, and Bill Zachow's article in Parker Pages

From 1882 until at least 1892, Folsom contracted with Parker Brothers to create "The Parker Trap Gun"; 10g & 12g Grade 0 - 2 hammer and hammerless with Laminated Steel and Twist barrels and a special buttplate.

The Parker order books include Folsom 12g guns with 36", 38", and 40" barrels; and four 16g with 38” barrels! Order 14744 in 1882 were Grade 2 guns; 12g listed for $80 (net $50.01 after discount) and 10g for $85 (net $53.14).

In orders 47641 – 47645 there were five 12 gauge at 40 inches, twenty 12 gauge at 38 inches, seven 12 gauge at 36 inches and five 12 gauge at 34 inches. The stocks on the 40 inch guns were to have a length of 14 ¼ to 14½ inches and a drop of 3 to 3 ½ inches. All were to have trap butt plates.

Order 49457 May 11, 1892 was for eight hammer guns with twist barrels, four hammer guns with laminated barrels, and three hammerless guns with twist barrels. Seven were 38" and eight were 40".

Orders 53623 – 53627 was for four 12 gauge at 40 inches, two 12 gauge at 38 inches; all to have trap butt plates.

Orders 80371 – 80375 had five 12 gauge at 40 inches and ten 12 gauge at 38 inches, but no mention of the trap butt plates.

There were 2 buttplates, courtesy of Jeff Kuss

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/20091267/391966598.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/20091267/405449114.jpg

[Dean Romig]

That’s the “Folsom Trap Gun” which, except for the special butt plate, are identical to the standard trap guns made by Parker Bros. So, in answer to the question, it’s just marketing by Folsom’s.


Just noticed the very good explanation by Drew.

Again, aside from the special butt plate, the only differences are the unusual barrel lengths on the specially ordered guns by Folsoms. These barrel lengths and stock dimensions could have been ordered by anyone at that time.






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[Mike Franzen]

I believe “Marketing” was more of a liberal art back in the day. Seems you could make any claims you wanted. Once the legal profession became involved all the good stuff, like snake oil disappeared.

[Drew Hause]

More marketing hyperbole :)

April 27, 1897 Sporting Life - "MOST PERFECT SHOOTING GUN MADE"

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/24189170/413971280.jpg


March 27, 1915 Sporting Life

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/24189170/413971307.jpg

Gilbert was consigned his BH Parker in 1896, but did not use the gun in competition until after the 1899 GAH at Live Birds.

[Drew Hause]

Just came across H.T. Folsom (Henry Titus) in the list of competitors at the 1899 GAH at Live Birds, using a Francotte. From Orange, New Jersey
#49
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/45661

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Several years ago I had a Folsom Trap 38" 16ga, a gent here in Mt Airy is the proud owner now, I bought the gun from Puglisi. Gary