Another Widgeon lands in Montezuma

[MARK KIRCHER]

A short time ago I acquired #159075 the 1st of the 8 Widgeon Duck Club guns. It was assigned to J.N. Young. The PGCA letter I commissioned was the first to be done on this gun. I suspect the gun never left the Visalia, California area for its entire life as it resurfaced not far from there before making its way to me.

The gun is not without concerns. It has literally been “rode hard and put away wet”. The barrels have pitting both inside and out (measured twice and deemed safe). The original wood is lost. The straight grip restock is not of high quality – American walnut lacking drop points and coarse checkering patterns - a beavertail forend was created. The barrel reblue is not pretty. The good news is the metal is in decent condition (pics 1&2) save some blemishes. The screws are mostly unmolested and or salvageable. It’s all there. It’s still a Widgeon Duck Club gun! It is not near the condition of the J.A. Hannah (8th of 8) gun but I am proud to have it.

Moving forward I will have some decisions to make - as I am one to accept (even appreciate) more battle scars than some, I may not do much to it at all. The wood is my primary concern as the LOP is a bit short and it should have a splinter forend. I would really like to find some Parker 1 frame straight grip wood to fit this gun. I know it is unlikely but I will post and ad under “Wanted to buy” and hope to get lucky.

I will hunt the gun at Vanderbilt this fall. I suspect with low pressure Bismuth as it may not be a great idea to run the hotter Kent Matrix through this one. Hopefully I will report back soon with ducks in the pictures. Our season starts in mid October this year. This should prove to be quite useful on early teal, widgeon, and gadwall.

Also – The barrels and forend from #163962 – The J.A. Hannah WDC gun fit on #159075 perfectly. (pic 3)

[Randy G Roberts]

Nice find and congrats on that one Mark. Given the amount of wear/use you described the metal and screws are in amazing condition. Best of luck with it.

[Tom Flanigan]

Great find of a historical gun. You might want to consider a restock. That gun warrents the cost, in my opinion.

[Dean Romig]

Mark - Congratulations!

Will you also "Engrave shield J.N.Y." ?

Best of luck finding a stock and forend.





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[MARK KIRCHER]

Thanks Dean -

I hope to get lucky. If not I may restock.

Shield in current stock may be the original but is worn considerably.

I will be working with Brian on this project. We will pursue it to best we can!

I agree the gun deserves it.

[Reggie Bishop]

Another great duck gun Mark! I let a nice 16 gauge get away from me.......

[Mills Morrison]

Very cool find! Can't wait to hear more as the project progresses

[MARK KIRCHER]

Thanks Reggie
I am bringing that 16 to Mikes this weekend! Rest assured that gun will be loved and well taken care of!

[Dave Noreen]

Great find. Certainly worth of a "correct" restock by one of our present day masters. How many of the Widgeon Duck Club guns are accounted for?

[MARK KIRCHER]

Dave
I believe this gun makes 5 of the 8 for which PGCA letters have been created.

[charlie cleveland]

nice find...hope you get to kill many ducks with this gun and report back to us....is this a 3 inch chambered gun....charlie

[Dean Romig]

Parker 20's with 2 7/8" chambers were intended for the three-inch shell of the day.





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[Mills Morrison]

Dave
I believe this gun makes 5 of the 8 for which PGCA letters have been created.

It sounds like this one was previously unknown. Very cool

[Reggie Bishop]

Well it has been about 5 months, how about an update on this little Parker? Have you decided what you are going to do with it (other than shoot mallards)?

[MARK KIRCHER]

Reggie
I don't have anything significant to report. I shot the gun a few times this summer. I did not hunt it yet.
After the hunting season I will get with Brian. Updates to follow.

[Craig Larter]

There is no doubt in my mind Mark will own more than 2 of the 8 eventually. He has great nose for Parkers.

[Mills Morrison]

Maybe the next one will be a B grade

[MARK KIRCHER]

Update -
OK - after much evaluation, consultation, and deliberation I have made the move. I met with Brain again yesterday and turned the J.N.YOUNG #159075 gun over to him for the restock.
He had a fine selection of wood and together zeroed in on a 60+ year old walnut piece that most closely resembled the character of the J. A. HANNAH #163962 gun (2nd pic). Many more ornate pieces were available, but I am confident we made the best choice for this gun.
The missing engraving and shield will be brought back - The metal will remain in its current condition as some original color is present and much of the engraving is still sharp.
I already look forward to the 2021 duck season. I expect Mr. Young will be smiling down, as His DHE 20/32" gets back into the marsh and underneath some feathers :)
More to follow.........

[Reggie Bishop]

I applaud your decision to move forward! Can't wait to see the finished results as I know Brian will do a heck of a job!

[Dean Romig]

“Honey and Smoke”.... very nice choice Mark.





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[Randy G Roberts]

That's gonna be real nice. I agree with your selection of wood for this one, perfect !

[Dave Noreen]

Nice selection. I'm sure Brian will do the old gun proud.

[Steve Cambria]

SWEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTT...…..

Long live "The Eighth Wonder" baby...…..(that was a great day!!)

[Mills Morrison]

Very exciting! Can't wait to see how this project progresses to the final product.

[Stan Hillis]

Well done, Mark. It should be a beauty when next it sees the duck blinds.

SRH

[Mike Koneski]

Thanks Dean -

I hope to get lucky. If not I may restock.

Shield in current stock may be the original but is worn considerably.

I will be working with Brian on this project. We will pursue it to best we can!

I agree the gun deserves it.

Sounds like a great Parker Pages article!!

[keavin nelson]

Not only will it be a beauty, it will be made to fit you Mark! Can't wait to see it.

[Brian Dudley]

Not only will it be a beauty, it will be made to fit you Mark! Can't wait to see it.


The gun will be restocked to the Letter as it originally was. It just happens that those dims also work well for Mark to shoot.

[Reggie Bishop]

How about an update on this Widgeon gun?

[MARK KIRCHER]

Sorry Reggie but I do not have a detailed report. I know he is working on it. He has been very busy.
Meanwhile.....We just returned from the NYstate northern zone duck hunting opener. I shot my 32" GH straight grip 20 bore choked F/L (thats Full/Laser beam). I shot well on teal and wood ducks - too much choke however for the woodcock.
Craig and I are off to explore another NY marsh today. Our beloved Vanderbilt Marsh is dry from the northeast drought. We are busy with finding other options. More soon!

[MARK KIRCHER]

Things are "shaping up" for the J.N. Young gun - Thanks Brian!
Wont be long now!

[Mills Morrison]

Mark, Are you going for the complete collection of Widgeon Duck Club Parkers? If so, good luck.

[MARK KIRCHER]

Mills
I think that is unattainable.
But I am working towards it !
If I had the opportunity I would certainly acquire more.

[MARK KIRCHER]

For those following along -
Brian has found and mounted a correct silvers pad and oval
Begun shaping - Pictured next to the Hannah widgeon Gun - :)

[Brian Dudley]

Not a matter of finding one. It was a matter of making one. The pad base here is one piece. Not a spur glued on.

I may have some exciting developments on this front next year.

[Stan Hillis]

I'm really enjoying the progress reports on this gun. I'm a big fan of long barreled smallbores, too.

Brian, what is the make of that green vise? I don't recall ever seeing one like it.

SRH

[Brian Dudley]

It is a pattern-makers vise. I use it every day for so many different things. Not just stock work. I have two of them actually. Both jaws are hardwood, padded with rubber and they both swivel independent of each other. So any shape can be securely held in it.
It makes me wonder why anyone uses anything else for stock making.

[MARK KIRCHER]

I am starting to get those Christmas morning jitters.......Brian sent me the latest progress pics yesterday. I could not be more pleased. I hope to be able to show it off at the Southern (if i make it) or Hausman's.....Won't be long now!

[Dean Romig]

Very noce Mark!

Great work Brian!

It looks like old French walnut, like it came with the gun.





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[Randy G Roberts]

Very nice indeed. Good selection of wood. Brian does a good job of keeping folks posted on his progress. Hope you can make the Southern with this one in hand Mark.

[Reggie Bishop]

That is top notch work! That little 20 is going to look super nice.

[Craig Larter]

Beautiful looks like it came from Meriden! Brian you nailed it! Perfect in all respects.

[MARK KIRCHER]

I received the JN YOUNG gun #159075 back from Brian last week. I am VERY pleased. He did an exceptional job in all areas. Just top notch work.
I shot clays over the weekend. It shoots where I look. I will blood it this fall.
I believe Mr. Young would be proud of how the gun has been returned to its former glory. Thank you Brian!
Pics below of how it was found and how it is now.
Side by side pics are with The J A HANNAH gun #163962 (on top)
Now I hunt for another one........

[Reggie Bishop]

Mark it looks great! I love it when a project comes together like this one did!

[Daryl Corona]

Just fantastic. Nice to see a project this well done. Can't wait to see it.

[Randy G Roberts]

Very nice Mark. Will we see this gun at Ernies, possibly next month ? I like your comment, "now the hunt for the next one". I understand that entirely but you're shopping in some pretty this air now. Good luck finding the next one !

[Mills Morrison]

Just awesome! Yes, bring it to Hausman’s please.

[Brian Dudley]

Thank you Mark for sharing. And also for trusting me to make this one right again. I really enjoyed working on it.

[Craig Larter]

Brian hit a grand slam home run on the restoration. I had the pleasure of examining it Sunday and one word describes the workmanship ----perfection!
Congratulations to Mark on tracking down the gun and tastefully restoring it. I have no doubt you will find a third!

[Garry L Gordon]

Following this reminds me of how much I like the individualized character that is found in collecting. What a wonderful quest to put these guns back together, and to take the time and expense to make it happen. Brian's work is extraordinary.

Mark, thanks for taking us along on this quest.

[Mills Morrison]

Now I am hoping Mark finds one of the B’s.

[Brian Dudley]

Now I am hoping Mark finds one of the B’s.

I think there only was one in B grade.