New Member Question

[Michael McCrea]

I recently purchased an 1899 12ga. Grade 3, size 2, 30" straight grip, skeleton butt plate, splinter forend Parker. My letter states that it was ordered by Simmons Hardware St. Louis and shipped on June 21, 1899 to Frank Novotny in St. Paul MN. Google search found a gun maker Frank S Novotny with patents around 1902 for a shell ejector and single trigger mechanism. Also pictures of a very nicely made shotgun and a re-barreled Holland & Holland. Did Novotny resell guns or could this be a gun he used as a guinea pig?

[Matt Buckley]

I remember reading some info on Frank novotny in one of the older Parker pages. If I remember right he would take Parker’s and customize them with things like his own single trigger. You might want to invest in the collection of Parker pages on cd so you have that collection of information. I was lucky enough to purchase a almost complete collection of Parker pages from a fellow member.

[Dean Romig]

A thumb drive of the PP Archive is also available at the same low price of $50.





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[Bruce Day]

Frank Novotny of St Paul was both a gun dealer and a gun maker using major parts sourced from large manufacturers such as Parker. I am not aware that he embellished guns already made by others.

An outstanding Frank Novotny gun sold a couple years ago. Beautiful workmanship.

[Michael McCrea]

Thanks for replying and pointing towards further sources of information. The gun shoots quite nicely and is in great mechanical shape. Too bad it got re-blued.