How old was you when you bought your first Parkers ?

[Milton C Starr]

Well I sent the check in the mail the other day for my first Parker , I am 27 and have looked at and admired these guns since I was probably about 14 . I never thought I would ever own one but sometimes in life things just align for you .

I know most the fellows here are my seniors and I love reading about their stories with their Parkers , but I was wondering when did y'all get your first Parker ? did you grow up shooting doubles or did you get interested in them later ? Here locally I know of no one who owns or hunts with a sxs . How I came to learn about Parker was by chance when I was 14 my neighbor who is the coach for the local 4H shotgun team , was talking to my Dad about he was either reading or watching ( I cant recall which) a thing about in England how they hunted with 10 and 8 gauges . I had never heard of such large shotguns before so I started reading up on 8 gauges . And the name that came up the most was Parker Brothers and thats how I discovered them .

[Andrew Sacco]

That's amazing. I only have a 28 reproduction and I'm 55 now. Time has flown. I remember being a teen reading all about them and Fox and how I wanted one so badly. I remember lusting after Browning Superposed. I remember passing up many of those (and A5's) thinking "But they're so much money.." Now look at prices of some of these. Congrats and good job. I wonder sometimes, not having a ton of knowledge, where folks get their values on their guns. I keep seeing gun listed and re listed over and over without a single bid but they insist it's worth the money. Now with kids going to college I'm not likely buying a bunch of $10,000 guns. Buy 'em while you can afford them!!!

[Eric Eis]

My first Parker was a 12 ga Trojan in good condition but I couldn't het the broadside of the barn with it that fall I interned with the DNR and a Conservation Officer wanted to buy it and offered me $400 which back in 74 was a lot of money especially to a kid in college! I grabbed the cash and went back to shooting my Model 37 Ithica. My next Parker was ten years later a DHE 12 and it was downhill from there..................:rotf::rotf:

[Tom Pellegrini]

The spring of 2014 at 63 years my Parker Mentor, who is a Life Member here Mr. David Dwyer, had a VH 12ga. shipped from California for another gentleman. Upon arrival this gentleman abruptly did not want the gun. I then scraped together the funds needed and purchased the VH. It is a 1901 era 12ga. 30 inch Vulcan steel. Eight months later my Mentor said that I needed a hammer gun. Another Parker from California came my way. It is a Grade 1 12ga. 32" Laminated Steel. I haven't shot a modern shotgun since.

[Dean Romig]

I started with a 12 gauge Trojan when I was about 13. It belonged to my buddy's deceased grandfather and we discovered it in his cellar in it's original canvas case with the leather trim and handles. I really took a shine to that gun and my buddy's Dad let me keep it at my house for a few years. My next and first Parker - one that I really bought - is a beautiful 1899 DH 12/30 Titanic that I still have. I bought that one in about 1998, when I was 50, after I read Ed Muderlak's book "Parker Shotgun, the Old Reliable" and I fell in love all over again - and like Eric said - it's all been downhill since then.

And when I was about 54 I bought an 0-frame GHE 16 gauge with Damascus barrels - the first Parker I took a grouse with - What a proud moment that was!

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[Milton C Starr]

That's amazing. I only have a 28 reproduction and I'm 55 now. Time has flown. I remember being a teen reading all about them and Fox and how I wanted one so badly. I remember lusting after Browning Superposed. I remember passing up many of those (and A5's) thinking "But they're so much money.." Now look at prices of some of these. Congrats and good job. I wonder sometimes, not having a ton of knowledge, where folks get their values on their guns. I keep seeing gun listed and re listed over and over without a single bid but they insist it's worth the money. Now with kids going to college I'm not likely buying a bunch of $10,000 guns. Buy 'em while you can afford them!!!

My first old double was the C G Bonehill 10 ga , I picked it up for about $600 theres a identical one to it thats been on GB for years priced at $2500 . I have found that usually you will find better deals on the for sale forum here compared to what you will see on the gun sites . I never thought I would end up with this particular Parker , it seemed like a long shot of ever owning such a sxs .

This will also be my first hammerless sxs .

I have two good friends thats in their 50s and 60s , I told them I never will probably spend this much again . They said 27 years old is too young to be saying you wont ever do something again :rotf:

I plan on never selling this Parker because its not even about the money but that even if I could spend that on another one I couldnt find one like this .

[Milton C Starr]

I started with a 12 gauge Trojan when I was about 13. It belonged to my buddy's deceased grandfather and we discovered it in his cellar in it's original canvas case with the leather trim and handles. I really took a shine to that gun and my buddy's Dad let me keep it at my house for a few years. My next and first Parker - one that I really bought - is a beautiful 1899 DH 12/30 Titanic that I still have. I bought that one in about 1998, when I was 50, after I read Ed Muderlak's book "Parker Shotgun, the Old Reliable" and I fell in love all over again - and like Eric said - it's all been downhill since then.





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I could see buying some more Parkers in the future to keep mine company haha . My favorite are probably the PH grades with twist barrels .




Something I found interesting when I was digging for information on the Parker I bought is the original owner was 27 when he got it , now 117 years later I bought it at the same age he was .

[Steve Huffman]

So Milton what did you buy may I ask ? I bought my first at 45 years old now 55 years old it was a CH 12 and have a few more now !

[Craig Larter]

I hunted ducks with my Uncle Bill at 16 in the late 60's, he was a double gun guy but AH Fox was his preference. Uncle Bill owned a gun shop and a boat dealership. Establishing my career and family completely absorbed my time and money in my 20's, 30's and 40's. I hunted with a Winchester 101 20ga and a Winchester 23 12ga. My job took me to Philadelphia for 6 years and spending dollars on guns was not in the budget but I did collect a few vintage decoys. By the time I hit 50 I had the discretionary income the result of two business transactions that allowed me to retire and enjoy life. So I'm 70 and have been retired for 20 years and have a bunch of Parkers, Foxes and Elsies, hunt ducks like a maniac, and travel the world hunting. I was about 60 when I purchased my first Parker a CHE Bernard for $2200. at a local auction, sold it to a PGCA member. Life has been good but not without it's gut punches.

[Milton C Starr]

So Milton what did you buy may I ask ? I bought my first at 45 years old now 55 years old it was a CH 12 and have a few more now !

Well I was going to wait to tell when I go to pick it up , but its a #6 frame 10 gauge . Its hard to contain my excitement about it .

[Milton C Starr]

My story is much like Dean's. I hunted ducks with my Uncle Bill at 16 in the late 60's, he was a double gun guy but AH Fox was his preference. Uncle Bill owned a gun shop and a boat dealership. Establishing my career and family completely absorbed my time and money in my 20's, 30's and 40's. I hunted with a Winchester 101 20ga and a Winchester 23 12ga. My job took me to Philadelphia for 6 years and spending dollars on guns was not in the budget but I did collect a few vintage decoys. By the time I hit 50 I had the discretionary income the result of two business transactions that allowed me to retire and enjoy life. So I'm 70 and have been retired for 20 years and have a bunch of Parkers, Foxes and Elsies, hunt ducks like a maniac, and travel the world hunting. Life has been good but not without it's gut punches.

I hope by the time I hit 50+ I have some decent doubles in my collection .
Though I also know its not financially practical for me to buy one every year .
I realized as well I dont have to be in a big hurry either . I got what is essentially one of my dream Parkers .

[Dave Noreen]

My Father (born 1907) grew up hunting in Minnesota with the heavy 1890 vintage Parker Bros. PH-Grade 12-gauge my Grandfather got in 1901. By the time I came along in 1946, my Father had a pair of Remington AE-Grades in 12- and 16-gauge for the uplands and a 12-gauge Remington Sportsman as his waterfowl gun. In 1959 he succumbed to Jack O'Connor's short barrel writings and had the Remington Sportsman's 30-inch full choke barrel whacked to 26 inch with a Poly-Choke. By the 1960 season the Sportsman was gone and he had a 12-gauge, 2-frame, 30-inch Parker Bros. for his waterfowl gun.

I got my first Ansley H. Fox double in 1963 and another in 1966, but shot Dad's Parker Bros. quite a bit at trap. It wasn't until May 1996 that I added a nice example of a Parker Bros. to my collection, an 1894 vintage NH-Grade.

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[Milton C Starr]

My Father (born 1907) grew up hunting in Minnesota with the heavy 1890 vintage Parker Bros. PH-Grade 12-gauge my Grandfather got in 1901. By the time I came along in 1946, my Father had a pair of Remington AE-Grades in 12- and 16-gauge for the uplands and a 12-gauge Remington Sportsman as his waterfowl gun. In 1959 he succumbed to Jack O'Connor's short barrel writings and had the Remington Sportsman's 30-inch full choke barrel whacked to 26 inch with a Poly-Choke. By the 1960 season the Sportsman was gone and he had a 12-gauge, 2-frame, 30-inch Parker Bros. for his waterfowl gun.

I got my first Ansley H. Fox double in 1963 and another in 1966, but shot Dad's Parker Bros. quite a bit at trap. It wasn't until May 1996 that I added a nice example of a Parker Bros. to my collection, an 1894 vintage NH-Grade.

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Those are my favorite right there the NH/PH Parkers .

[Mills Morrison]

My first two were gifts about age 29. The first one I bought was about 10 years later. Things got out of hand after that

[Milton C Starr]

My first two were gifts about age 29. The first one I bought was about 10 years later. Things got out of hand after that

Mills what got you into the 10 gauges ? People hear 10 ga and think its going to be brutal . But these 2 7/8" guns to me are probably some of the softest shooting ones you could get .


I never been much into semi autos because im left handed and the brass/hulls always come close to my face . A sxs feels pretty ambidextrous to me .

[Devan Brown]

My first one was a gift from a wonderful Uncle - who knew about Parkers but did not own one until he was in his fifties. I was perhaps 25 in 1972 when he gave me a 12 gauge Trojan with a sawed barrel - killed lots of ducks with it.

[Matt Buckley]

My first Parker was a 1921 VH 16 gauge that had been restored that I purchased when I was 28. 2" of the barrels where cut off so it is now a 26" barreled gun that still has some slight choke in it with a Miller Single Trigger and is probably the gun I have killed the most pheasants with and shoot the best. I can attribute my addiction to double barrels to my good friend Jim Beilke who is a fellow member and introduced me to nice guns. My first over and under was a 1963 Browning Superposed 20 gauge that was given to me by my grandfather when I was 16-17 years old. He purchased the gun new. I can attribute my addiction to hunting and the outdoors to him.

[Milton C Starr]

I wouldnt mind getting a sxs 16 gauge in the future .
When I was a kid about 7 or 8 I used to watch my friends grand farther squirrel hunt with his Sweet Sixteen and I remember being a kid thinking how neat those purple hulls were .
Since then I have always liked the 16 ga .

Ive only had 1 16 ga and it was a Ithaca 37 featherlight , made in 1957 if I recall .
If I end up getting a 16 ga sxs down the road , I would want one that has a little more weight behind it .

[CraigThompson]

Mine was about 13 (or almost 46 years ago) I think , a VHE 12 30” #1 frame . Came from a now deceased Parker collector by the name of Jerry Amos . About the same time a nice Fox Sterlingworth 12 28” philly gun and my Greener D-40 12 all appeared . Since then I’d hate to admit the number of doubles that have passed thru my hands and the number still here . Incidentally the three above are still here .

[Robert Brooks]

25 and it was a 28 gauge Remington skeet gun that i was deadly with and should have kept it!

[Jean Swanson]

I was 7 years old, the year was 1946, my mentor Louis Goland gave me a VH 20 bore with 28" barrels. Guess what, I still have it !!

Allan

[Brett Hoop]

First off let me say it is wonderful to see younger people take an interest in the Parker gun.
My first exposure was a VH 20 ga my grandfather let me use a few small game seasons. Even then I felt the sole that is there about the wrist of a Parker. Soon there after I found out the local high school art teacher also had a Parker. He wasn’t a hunter, but he had a small collection of high quality firearms. I eventually weaseled my way to get to see his Parker, and was shocked when seated in his library he pointed to a wooden box and said it’s there in that wooden case on the shelf. I had no idea people kept shotguns in wooden cases.

When he opened that case, maybe that was when lightning struck or something because I have never forgotten or got over, what was a thrill for me. The fitted case held a Grade 3 hammerless 16ga that was of very high condition. Flash forward 35 years and after chasing about everything here and there, life let me have a great bird dog and a Parker was needed. Then another and another.....

[Milton C Starr]

Some great stories here ! do any of y'all keep these stories written down for future generations ?
I think your grandkids would find it pretty cool to know the story of grandpas sxs .

I would at minimal like to have at least 3 Parkers , one for me and each of my brothers .
I was thinking it would be special if we could all go hunting with a Parker in hand .

[Dean Romig]

I was 7 years old, the year was 1946, my mentor Louis Goland gave me a VH 20 bore with 28" barrels. Guess what, I still have it !!

Allan

I remember that really nice story from a couple of years ago in Parker Pages. We got to know you a little better through it. Thanks.





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[Rick Riddell]

Wow this is really cool! My first Parker I was 32, I love British doubles but wanted an American made gun and no better choice than a Parker, it was a reworked Trojan and I really enjoyed it. After reading more about them and asking all I could here (with annoying questions!) I started on my quest to upgrade, I’ve settled on 3 and am quite content, although I am hearing the call of a small bore or hammer gun! We just recently got our son his first Parker at 9, he doesn’t quite understand it yet, but god willing he’ll be on here 20yrs later telling this same story!

[john pulis]

I purchased my first L.C. when I was 16 and my first Parker, a GH, forty years later, which I restored. I have collected both for the last few years and hope to continue. I keep an eye out for a 16 Parker hammer but they seem scarcer then hens teeth.

[Jerry VanHorn]

I was 29...and my first Parker was a PH 20. Year was 1975. I remember I paid $1500 from an ad in Shotgun News...The following year, I got married..bought an old Victorian to "fix up"..and sold the Parker and my Mark IV Lincoln to help pay for upgrades..The wife is gone. the house is gone..I miss the Parker most !!!

[edgarspencer]

My dad had three Parkers when I was a kid. I would sneak out with the 16, up the outside basement stairs, hunt for 1-2 hours and get back before he got home. Always gave anything I bagged to an old guy down the road, mainly because I never came up with an answer to the inevitable question "How did you get that bird?"
Got my first VH20 from a neighbor when I was about 21. Had to trade a lot of my saltwater fishing tackle. Turns out, that gun was bought the same day as my dad's 20, at The PB factory. My dad's father's cousin took my dad, and the Cousin's wife's cousin, in his Pierce Arrow, from East Hampton, CT to Meriden.
Got it? Our family vet bought my dad's 20, and took it to CO. He offered to sell it back to me, but seems to think it's worth an AH price. I still have the 16 I covertly hunted with way back then.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Well for me my first double was a LC Smith 12ga, I was 45 at the time, my first Parker was about one year later, I happened into a gun shop to buy a client a Ruger red label shotgun for a gift at Xmas, The owner showed me a Parker 12 ga PHE steel barreled gun in great condition, well most folks know the rest of the story, I stoped at that shop every time I was coming to the cabin in the mountains, and usually could not wait to see what new offerings that shop held, 33 years later, I have been fortunate to own some nice Parkers, and some unusual ones, Gary

[Mike Koneski]

WOW! Some cool stories here on first Parker’s. My first was not as exciting as being gifted with one at 9 or finding one at 16. I acquired mine through attrition. I had been shooting competition for decades and got tired of NSCA shooter attitudes and so many rules that I needed something different to put the fun back into clays. Enter our buddy Cold Spring and his passion for double guns. He got me hooked on the horizontal oriented barreled guns. Started with Fox guns. I had one, then two. Next thing I had quite a few Fox guns. I “needed” more so I could shoot hammer gun events too. Enter those sexy hinge pin guns from Parker!! Be still my heart!! So then I see all the events sponsored by Parker or for Parker or about Parker and I quickly moved my Fox guns and procured more Parker’s! By now I’m fully addicted and loving it!! But, I digress. The first Parker I purchased was an early 12g lifter with 30” barrels. The next day I purchased a DH 12/30. Let’s just say when I’m in I’m ALL in!! 😂 That was about 8 or 9 years ago and I would have been 49 or 50. Fun times when you’re having flies!!

[Jeff Sweeter]

I was just about to turn 50.A friend and gun dealer invited me to go along to the Tulsa Gun Show in April 10 years ago.I had been saving up for my first double and decided it would be a 16 gauge.Lots to choose from if you've ever been to Tulsa.I came home with a very nice LC Smith.The Parkers,known to me as the Cadillac of doubles back then were just not affordable for me.Since then I have accumulated several doubles from all the american gun makers and finally 3 years ago at 57 purchased my first Parker,a 12 gauge V grade.It is in very good condition and proved itself 2 seasons ago with a limit of teal on opening day.I have since acquired a couple more,the last one being a Trojan 20 gauge which is just waiting for hunting season this fall to help me harvest a couple teal and maybe a rooster or two.I hope to add a PH or a D grade to my collection someday.The hook is set.

[Tom Hawkins]

I bought my first Parker when I was 22. It was a 12 gauge DH titanic owed by one of my hunting mentors. My collection was enhanced by buying broken guns cheap, fixing them, and trading up mostly at the Tulsa Gun Shows. As I have aged, my interests have been on 16 ga Parker, Smith, and Ithaca, mostly mid grades with mostly damascus barrels. I have picked up a few Parkers that I thought were unique or special. My hammer guns phase has included the 14 and 16. Like Milton I always wanted a big gun because my grandad and great uncles had them. I looked for several years before I found a 4 frame B grade hammer 10. Many times I thought this gun will be the last one.

[Milton C Starr]

I was just about to turn 50.A friend and gun dealer invited me to go along to the Tulsa Gun Show in April 10 years ago.I had been saving up for my first double and decided it would be a 16 gauge.Lots to choose from if you've ever been to Tulsa.I came home with a very nice LC Smith.The Parkers,known to me as the Cadillac of doubles back then were just not affordable for me.Since then I have accumulated several doubles from all the american gun makers and finally 3 years ago at 57 purchased my first Parker,a 12 gauge V grade.It is in very good condition and proved itself 2 seasons ago with a limit of teal on opening day.I have since acquired a couple more,the last one being a Trojan 20 gauge which is just waiting for hunting season this fall to help me harvest a couple teal and maybe a rooster or two.I hope to add a PH or a D grade to my collection someday.The hook is set.

I had looked at alot of Parkers and came close to buying one before but for some reason I always told myself to wait . I thought I missed out on picking up a Parker back in November I had really wanted . Then around the same time the one I recently purchased came up for sale but was gone as soon as it showed up . Well then it popped up again not long ago and thanks to Mr.Josh Loewensteiner I was able to buy a Parkers I never thought I would own and my first Parker as well .

[Milton C Starr]

I bought my first Parker when I was 22. It was a 12 gauge DH titanic owed by one of my hunting mentors. My collection was enhanced by buying broken guns cheap, fixing them, and trading up mostly at the Tulsa Gun Shows. As I have aged, my interests have been on 16 ga Parker, Smith, and Ithaca, mostly mid grades with mostly damascus barrels. I have picked up a few Parkers that I thought were unique or special. My hammer guns phase has included the 14 and 16. Like Milton I always wanted a big gun because my grandad and great uncles had them. I looked for several years before I found a 4 frame B grade hammer 10. Many times I thought this gun will be the last one.


The big frames are my passion and you dont see them often , especially in a price range I could say was feasible . Sometimes you get lucky though and you find the right one or in my case It found me .


At 27 I often wonder by the time I get older if theres going to be any interesting old double collectors to talk to .

[Bill Mullins]

My first Parker was a well used VH 12 gifted to me by my grandfather which I still have today. I was in my thirties. The first Parker I purchased was a VH 16
from Gary Hermen at his gun shop Safari Outftters in Ridefield CT. That was in 1978. I was living in northern NJ and working for Buick Motor Division as a Car Distributor. I sold the gun to a Louisiana duck hunter a few years ago in order to purchase another Parker I had my eyes on! 😊

[Dean Romig]

At 27 I often wonder by the time I get older if theres going to be any interesting old double collectors to talk to .


Believe me, you will be one of the "interesting old double collectors" to perpetuate this passion soon enough.





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[Milton C Starr]

Believe me, you will be one of the "interesting old double collectors" to perpetuate this passion soon enough.





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Haha , I was telling my little brother just the other day soon as my nephew gets big enough im going teach him about vintage doubles . At the rate hes growing it looks like hes going to be a big fellow someday so I think he will be able to shoot the #6 frame 10 gauge just fine .

[Bill Murphy]

I have a few Parkers and will buy more. The hard part is selling them. I don't have a Parker I don't like and hardly have one I don't like to shoot. I have shot competitive skeet and sporting clays since I was a teenager, got the big cards and won a few bucks. I shot all over Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia and some NSSA World Shoots in Georgia. Now I only shoot double guns for money, no matter what the game. I may not win much, but I'm shooting my Parkers. Our pigeon club is full of double gun guys, most of whom shoot side by sides in competition, win or lose. I bought my first Parker in 1960 when I was 14, a 28 gauge that I still have. I have every kind of double gun, but the Parker is king. I like big guns and I like little guns. Eights and .410s are my favorites, but I have everything else too. I would rather shoot a hammer gun and I do shoot them a lot. My favorite is Austin Hogan's old 32" #3 frame lifter 12. Ron Kirby found me a great .410 VHE skeet gun and I bought two great 32" smallbores on this forum. Our members have helped me a lot with my collection although I was buying Parkers long before the PGCA and for 38 years before we copied the records at Ilion. Imagine how hard it would be to write a big check for a Parker without a PGCA letter of documentation. Well, we did it.

[keavin nelson]

My first was a VH 2 frame 12 ga, that was in need of much attention. We were visiting friends in Farmville, VA. in 69 and my dad came back from the hardware store with it for $60. It had been restocked, but that was broken through the grip, secured with much of the old fashion black tape, barrels were painted with black paint! And it was a bit loose. My first project at 15! The stock, once degrimed, turned out to be a nice piece of walnut, and repairable, barrels rust blued with the tank and products from Herters! While not the first one I shot, as Dad had bought and sold a couple, it was mine! I still have it! Along with a number of others to keep it company. He spoke of stopping in a shop in NY during his travels, that was full of them.
It would be about 7 years before I bought my first one, a VH 12 on 1 1/2 frame, in a trade. I still have that one also.

While I have Foxes and LCs, my favorites to shoot are the Parkers!

[James L. Martin]

I have shot side x sides my whole life but my first Parker was bought March 2011, a 30 inch 20ga VHE, still have the gun and shoot it all the time. Since then I have bought at least one a year, last one was a 20ga DH. Before that I shot many side x sides but mostly Winchester model 21's and Fox Sterlingworth's ,but I have seen the light or at least some of it , now it's either a Parker or a model 21 most of the time. Hard to believe I have been hunting for about 56 years as I am now 71.

[Alan Phillips]

In November of 1976 I was shooting skeet with Bill Williams at the old Winchester trap and skeet club in Long Beach, California. There were a few shooters on station 7 on the field we intended to use. While waiting for them to finish I was drawn to the old gun one of the shooters was using. It looked and sounded like a very small sXs not usually encountered on a skeet field. When the squad finished and was walking off I approached the gentleman and asked about what I could now see was a Parker. He said it was a family gun and he only used it occasionally to shoot a round of skeet. Serial #241081. Straight stock, double triggers, original BT forend, 28" barrels bored ..004 and .003. and about 80% overall condition. I took a deep breath and asked if he would consider selling it. Without hesitation he replied yes but would accept not a penny less than $6000.00 for it and wanted cash. There was a branch of my bank just a few blocks away so off we went to close the deal. Upon returning to the gun club he handed me the Parker and I was astounded when he asked if I had any interest in the original case. Turned out it was a leg-o-mutton marked T.J.B. with the felt stockings. The grade of the little gun was a CHE. Good start to my Parker collection and a very lucky one.

[Scott Janowski]

18 years old. In the late 70’s till about 2001 in our area we had a local Weekly want ad paper called the Swap Sheet.
It was printed in another town and delivered every Wednesday, I knew the first stop it was delivered at and was there waiting at 10:30 AM every week.
This was before cell phones and internet.
One week there was listed was a Parker Bros. Gun 20 gauge for $200.00.
I called however no answer.
Back at that time I was a member of the local volunteer Fire Department, and the dispatcher had a Criss Cross book that crossed the phone number to the address.
I would drive nearby to a pay phone and stake it out till a car pulled in then make the call. I was always the first one there with this method!
The gun was a nice VH 20 gauge with 28” barrels my first Parker!
I remember the phone never stopped ringing while I was there!
I acquired many nice guns from the Swap Sheet!

[George Davis]

In 1993 they had the great mid-western flood along the Mississippi River and I was in a gun shop in St Charles, Missouri when a gentleman walked with a large box of gun which had been in his flooded basement. Their were several Parker and I selected a 20 gauge PHE with 28 inch steel barrel. Took it to Paul Fucks in Alton, IL for a total restoration.
Then a 1894 Quality O, 12 gauge with 30 inch plain twisted steel barrels was acquired and sent to Paul Fucks again for a full restoration.
Followed by mint condition 12 gauge 1918 SC SBT with 32 inch barrels.
Since the first three all have been GH or GHE on various frames sizes and gauges.
Been collecting Parkers since I was 42 years old, however all are shot on a regular bases or they are sold!!!

[Milton C Starr]

I have a few Parkers and will buy more. The hard part is selling them. I don't have a Parker I don't like and hardly have one I don't like to shoot. I have shot competitive skeet and sporting clays since I was a teenager, got the big cards and won a few bucks. I shot all over Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia and some NSSA World Shoots in Georgia. Now I only shoot double guns for money, no matter what the game. I may not win much, but I'm shooting my Parkers. Our pigeon club is full of double gun guys, most of whom shoot side by sides in competition, win or lose. I bought my first Parker in 1960 when I was 14, a 28 gauge that I still have. I have every kind of double gun, but the Parker is king. I like big guns and I like little guns. Eights and .410s are my favorites, but I have everything else too. I would rather shoot a hammer gun and I do shoot them a lot. My favorite is Austin Hogan's old 32" #3 frame lifter 12. Ron Kirby found me a great .410 VHE skeet gun and I bought two great 32" smallbores on this forum. Our members have helped me a lot with my collection although I was buying Parkers long before the PGCA and for 38 years before we copied the records at Ilion. Imagine how hard it would be to write a big check for a Parker without a PGCA letter of documentation. Well, we did it.

I have always wanted a 28 ga , now the 10 ga will probably always be my favorite . But theres just something interesting about a 28 ga . I wish Parker had made a damascus/twist barreled 28 ga .

This Parker is also my first American made sxs , the two other doubles I owned were Birmingham made guns .

[Jim DiSpagno]

Parker did make grades 28 gauge guns with Damascus bbls but rare and very pricey

[Jim DiSpagno]

Look T GI #101497660

[Dean Romig]

I have always wanted a 28 ga , now the 10 ga will probably always be my favorite . But theres just something interesting about a 28 ga . I wish Parker had made a damascus/twist barreled 28 ga.


I have one - a DHE with Damascus barrels, the only known Parker of any grade with 24”, 28 gauge Damascus barrels.

Robin Hollow has one for sale in high original condition with 28” barrels.





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[Bill Murphy]

Milton, stick with the tens. Tell us about the #6 frame ten you recently bought.

[Pete Lester]

I was 27 when I bought my first Parker, a 28" Trojan 12ga in 1984. I really didn't know much about them but a good friend had a Trojan that he used for upland bird hunting and it was a pride and joy that he spoke highly of. Whenever he made a good shot on a Grouse or Woodcock he would say he Parkerized it. I was in the USAF at the time and was getting ready to go on a remote assignment to a radar station in Iceland. I had rented my house and I was selling my Jeep because I could not have nor would I need a vehicle on that one year assignment, that gave me a little bit of extra money. I don't remember why I had gone to a local gunsmiths shop but he had two Trojan's for sale on consignment, a 12 and 20. The day I was to fly out of Boston was a Monday in December. I had a lot to do that day including the sale of my Jeep but I decided to go to a farm I hunted since I was teenager, it was a farm that bordered a brakish river and it had a cove where we hunted ducks. It was dead low tide at first light and saw some ducks in a channel that I could sneak up on by walking in the mud and staying below the banking. The channel had a turn and I knew when I came around the corner the ducks would be in range. It worked and as they flushed I pulled the front trigger and dropped a Black duck. I swung to the next target, a Greenhead and pulled the front trigger again, it was my first time shooting a gun with two triggers. I walked over and picked up the Black looking it over when I looked up and saw five mallards cupping in. They were 90 degrees to my position and about 45 yards away. I had a couple of seconds to react. I had not opened the gun and reloaded but the left barrel still had a 1 1/4 ounce of lead #4 in it. I was still holding the Black duck in my left hand and I rested the forearm of the gun on my forearm, picked out a Greenhead and dropped it. I was thrilled, two ducks with the first two shoots from my first Parker. I was convinced that my friend was right and there was something special about a Parker shotgun. I took Peter Johnson's book with me to Iceland and read it a couple of times, that was about the only information I had about Parker's. A lot has changed since then, I still have the gun and I shot a lot of ducks and geese with it over the years. Being a 12 it has taken a back seat to a battery of Short Ten's I use for water fowling for the last 11 years. It's sentimental value far exceeds it's monetary value so it will most likely be part of an estate sale some day as I don't see myself selling it.

[Daniel Carter]

This thread has had some great stories, hope I can add to it. The first Parker I'' had'' was found behind a stack of cues in a corner after a friend had shown me his good guns. Those were broom handle pistols and old Winchesters a Greener and others. I asked what is that in the corner and was told it was his sisters but she did not want it. When I dug it out it was a DHE 410 skeet and I started to research it.When I saw him again I told him it was worth more than all he had. He had given me his fathers safe and asked me to keep it for him and go ahead and use it. I had it for at least 15 years before he moved and got a safe. Bought my first the next year, 1975, at auction for 200.00 a vh which still shoot and hunt with and a few more since. Never had to sell one though.Had custody of a AAHE for a little while and it was the worst fitting gun I ever saw. I miss looking at it but not shooting it. When the owner was ready to take it back it was with mixed feelings I handed it over.

[Milton C Starr]

Milton, stick with the tens. Tell us about the #6 frame ten you recently bought.

Its Craigs old NH #6 frame 10 ga , #116794 .
I really wanted this one because the original owner lived only about 2hrs from here near Columbus GA . I found some interesting information when I was trying to research him .

[Milton C Starr]

I have one - a DHE with Damascus barrels, the only known Parker of any grade with 24”, 28 gauge Damascus barrels.

Robin Hollow has one for sale in high original condition with 28” barrels.





.

That has to be one of the coolest small bore Parkers .
I dont think I have ever seen a Parker 28 with damascus barrels .

[Rich Anderson]

I heard about Parkers long before I ever had one from my mother. My Grandfather was a double gun guy and Parker's were his favorite especially for shooting trap. I have a trophy he won at the Detroit gun club for breaking 200 straight from 16 yards to win the class C championship in 1936.
. He shot both trap and skeet and I was lucky enough to find some old photos of him both hunting and target shooting with a PArker.

Mom said the Parkers were his favorite. The family story is that he bought an A1 special at Abercrombie & Fitch in Chicago while he was on his way to Mayo Clinic. He picked up the gun on his return. It would have been used as this was 1948 or so but Mom still remembers the argument over the $600 when there wasn't any discretionary funds.

My parents bought me a Trojan 12 when I graduated from college. Shortly after that I bought a Vh that I traded a grade 5 Browning Citori 20 ga for. I played with some other doubles but never got the hang of double triggers and collected A5's and M12's for a long time.

About 20-25 years ago a friend an I were headed west to shoot Prairie Dogs and stopped in Cabela's in Owatonna MN. I found a nice DHE 20 with a straight grip 26inch barrels and bought it on the spot. A lot of guns have come and gone over the years some I still regret letting go of. I never thought I'd have an English Best but have several now or a high grade Parker but the God's have smiled on me not to mention creative financing and I have a BHE 32 inch 20 and an AHE 20/28 factory two barrel set. I have way more than I need but not as many as I want and we won't even go into the rifles:nono::whistle:

[Gary Bodrato]

Maybe Fuchs?

[Milton C Starr]

I heard about Parkers long before I ever had one from my mother. My Grandfather was a double gun guy and Parker's were his favorite especially for shooting trap. I have a trophy he won at the Detroit gun club for breaking 200 straight from 16 yards to win the class C championship in 1936.
. He shot both trap and skeet and I was lucky enough to find some old photos of him both hunting and target shooting with a PArker.

Mom said the Parkers were his favorite. The family story is that he bought an A1 special at Abercrombie & Fitch in Chicago while he was on his way to Mayo Clinic. He picked up the gun on his return. It would have been used as this was 1948 or so but Mom still remembers the argument over the $600 when there wasn't any discretionary funds.

My parents bought me a Trojan 12 when I graduated from college. Shortly after that I bought a Vh that I traded a grade 5 Browning Citori 20 ga for. I played with some other doubles but never got the hang of double triggers and collected A5's and M12's for a long time.

About 20-25 years ago a friend an I were headed west to shoot Prairie Dogs and stopped in Cabela's in Owatonna MN. I found a nice DHE 20 with a straight grip 26inch barrels and bought it on the spot. A lot of guns have come and gone over the years some I still regret letting go of. I never thought I'd have an English Best but have several now or a high grade Parker but the God's have smiled on me not to mention creative financing and I have a BHE 32 inch 20 and an AHE 20/28 factory two barrel set. I have way more than I need but not as many as I want and we won't even go into the rifles:nono::whistle:

Speaking of rifles there are some from vintage/classics one I would like to get some day . Lots of nice reproductions though that make them easier to obtain . I really want to pick up a Uberti 1876 in 50-95 eventually . I almost ordered a C Sharps 1874 last year , but they dont offer a pistol grip unless you get the presentation grade . So I would have to buy the action from them then find someone who builds Sharps to finish it .

There is a gunsmith I talk to a bit who builds the best looking single action revolvers in my opinion , I wouldnt mind getting one of his works . Lots of guns I would like to get if the funds allow it haha .

[Ed Norman]

Milton,
Thank you for starting this thread. I purchased my first side by side about a year and a half ago at 65 years old. I took about 40 years off from hunting because of my business responsibilities. I purchased a beautifully restored 12 gauge fox A grade from a guy that is a member here and in the fox forum. I have always wanted a 16 gauge, I was looking at a gun dealers ad last year and he had a 16 gauge and the ad said "it hits like a 12 and carries like a 20" for some reason that really stuck in my head. Now I own 3-16 gauge side by sides, I got a nice 16 gauge vh that was restored from a member in here. I really like that gun, I have 2 fox 16 gauge shotguns that are original, and I also understand the beauty of an unrestored gun now too. I cannot thank the members in here enough and in the fox forum for all of their help/advice. I have met some members in person, and they are really great guys. When I bought the parker, we met in Grayling, I was so excited I held that gun in my hands, shouldered it a few times I shook the sellers hand, went back and put the gun in my gun case and sat down in the car and it was one of the most satisfying feelings I have ever had. I looked down at my passenger seat to check to see if there was any calls or texts on my cell phone and there was my money still in the banks envelope still sitting there. I jumped out of the car, the seller was getting ready to pull out and I gave him his money. We both had a good laugh about that. I often feel like a "kid" again with these shotguns, and with our first bird dog my wife and I acquired a couple of years ago. Milton, I hope you continue your pursuits, its nice to see a younger man with your enthusiasm. Thanks, Ed Norman

[Dave Tercek]

First Parker about 1990,I was 30 years old. Up until then I new little about Parkers. They always seemed to be something that were out of my reach.
Back then, pre-internet, gunshows were numerous and very active places. It wasn't uncommon to buy or trade a gun then flip it at the same show.
I was at a show in Greensburg PA. I had just traded up to a little Browning Citori, English grip gun. Walking past a table back in the corner an older gentleman, Bill Ault, had a table full of Parkers.
I walked out of the show without the Browning, but with a little 20g Trojan. That was the start. A few weekends later at a show in Harrisburg PA I thought I was trading up to a nice 16ga VH from the Hartman Bros. ,Elmira Arms, well it was my first learning experience with Parker condition. I wish I new were my first Parker is now.

[Milton C Starr]

Milton,
Thank you for starting this thread. I purchased my first side by side about a year and a half ago at 65 years old. I took about 40 years off from hunting because of my business responsibilities. I purchased a beautifully restored 12 gauge fox A grade from a guy that is a member here and in the fox forum. I have always wanted a 16 gauge, I was looking at a gun dealers ad last year and he had a 16 gauge and the ad said "it hits like a 12 and carries like a 20" for some reason that really stuck in my head. Now I own 3-16 gauge side by sides, I got a nice 16 gauge vh that was restored from a member in here. I really like that gun, I have 2 fox 16 gauge shotguns that are original, and I also understand the beauty of an unrestored gun now too. I cannot thank the members in here enough and in the fox forum for all of their help/advice. I have met some members in person, and they are really great guys. When I bought the parker, we met in Grayling, I was so excited I held that gun in my hands, shouldered it a few times I shook the sellers hand, went back and put the gun in my gun case and sat down in the car and it was one of the most satisfying feelings I have ever had. I looked down at my passenger seat to check to see if there was any calls or texts on my cell phone and there was my money still in the banks envelope still sitting there. I jumped out of the car, the seller was getting ready to pull out and I gave him his money. We both had a good laugh about that. I often feel like a "kid" again with these shotguns, and with our first bird dog my wife and I acquired a couple of years ago. Milton, I hope you continue your pursuits, its nice to see a younger man with your enthusiasm. Thanks, Ed Norman

The 16 gauge is pretty neat gauge to me and it has a following here in the South . You mention the 16 gauge to the old timers down here and their eyes light up . One thing I learned about the Ithaca 37 16 gauge , is 1 1/8 oz at 1300 fps+ gives a sharp jab in such a light gun . However I bet with the RST loads or similar loads a light 16 gauge would be pretty comfortable .


Correct me if I am wrong but from what ive read the the NH grade is the same as a PH ? I was thinking a PH 16 and 20 ga would go good with the NH 10 ga . The NH looks similar to them just alot beefier .

The 16 ga is why I never joined the shotgun team in highschool , everyone else were using Benellis and the coach kept asking me to join but I couldnt use my 16 ga .

[Russell E. Cleary]

Milton:

Four of the six Parker guns I own were legacies from my father -- Trojan 12; VH 12; VH 16 and DHE 12. In recent years I have added a GH 12 and a VH 16.

A WW II veteran, he departed from the usual path of his contemporaries by acquiring in the 1950s-1960s the Parker side-by-sides, and not repeaters, as were his buddies’ choices. Together they shot skeet and hunted Pheasant and waterfowl.

His preference for them was not because he was an antique guy, but because he was a quality guy.

Regrettably, despite my having a plethora of family photos of him, power-boating; sailing; fishing and standing near the classic airplane he restored and won prizes for, I don’t have a single one of him hunting or with a gun.

I live in a house surrounded by objects that were his and evoke his memory: furniture; photos; implements for hobbies and tools of trade; fishing gear; documents and various personal miscellany. But it is the guns that transmit the most meaningful connection to him.

As physical objects go, guns have a way of conveying in concentration a sense of its owner -- his (or her) character, experiences, relationships, and achievements, and do so inter-generationally, as best as anything I know.

I envy your early start in this and your mindful grasp of detail. Just keep it all in proportion and your rewards will be manifold.

[Milton C Starr]

Milton:

Four of the six Parker guns I own were legacies from my father -- Trojan 12; VH 12; VH 16 and DHE 12. In recent years I have added a GH 12 and a VH 16.

A WW II veteran, he departed from the usual path of his contemporaries by acquiring in the 1950s-1960s the Parker side-by-sides, and not repeaters, as were his buddies’ choices. Together they shot skeet and hunted Pheasant and waterfowl.

His preference for them was not because he was an antique guy, but because he was a quality guy.

Regrettably, despite my having a plethora of family photos of him, power-boating; sailing; fishing and standing near the classic airplane he restored and won prizes for, I don’t have a single one of him hunting or with a gun.

I live in a house surrounded by objects that were his and evoke his memory: furniture; photos; implements for hobbies and tools of trade; fishing gear; documents and various personal miscellany. But it is the guns that transmit the most meaningful connection to him.

As physical objects go, guns have a way of conveying in concentration a sense of its owner -- his (or her) character, experiences, relationships, and achievements, and do so inter-generationally, as best as anything I know.

I envy your early start in this and your mindful grasp of detail. Just keep it all in proportion and your rewards will be manifold.

Your Dad sounds like he was a interesting man . When I look at these old guns I often wish that the original owner had written down some of their hunts or adventures with these classics .

Something about these guns they just carry a soul to them when you carry them afield . I dont have anything against new guns either but the best way I can describe it is you cant get doubles made like this anymore really . Especially a American double .


I wish I knew what some of the original Parker owners had on their mind when ordering these guns in uncommon configurations.

From what I could find about my Parkers original owner he lived to be 86 . With this one weighing a hefty 12lbs+ I wonder how long he kept it as he got it at 27 .

[George Davis]

Sorry, everyone for my miss spelling!!! His name was Paul Fuchs and some of you may remember him from his days at the Browning Customer Shop. Sorry for my inappropriate spelling and I apologize if I offended anyone.

[Scott Barter]

Hello everyone!
New Parker owner and new member too! Thought I would go all in. I’m 56 and just bought my first Parker. I’m cross eyed dominant so shotgunning has been a challenge for me but I am learning lots of ways to adapt and know what I need to shoot well. Honestly I always thought Parker’s were a bit clunky but i’ve Learned now that there are some s great handling ones to. I just bought a 12 ga VH. Yes common except this one is built on a 1 frame and fits me well with 141/2 LOP and only 2 1/4 DAH! Has very nice wood and a lot of CC left as well. I couldn’t pass it up for a late season pheasant gun. I have a lot of shotguns and lately I’ve been buying and selling several to refine my collection to classic guns with great dimensions. I just bought a 20 superposed with 28 inch tubs and it only has 2 1/4 drop too!
Really great forum. I think I would like a Parker 16 to round things out! Has to have little drop which is the challenge, but I am patient!

[charlie cleveland]

welcome if you buy one parker you will have to buy another one thats just the way it is....charlie

[Milton C Starr]

welcome if you buy one parker you will have to buy another one thats just the way it is....charlie

I can see that being the case ! , I have been looking at a few that I wouldnt mind getting . The 16 ga and 20 ga PH twist barreled Parkers I have seen are a bit expensive but eventually I would like to get those to go with the 10 ga .

Theres a multitude of doubles I would like to get as I start my collection .
For some reason I always wanted a Beretta 410 10 ga . I have a hard time focusing on what I want next haha .

[CraigThompson]

Theres a multitude of doubles I would like to get as I start my collection .
I have a hard time focusing on what I want next haha .

I’ve found it’s okay to want something specific . BUT you need to keep your eyes open and an open mind . Sometimes other things at really exceptional buyers prices crop up and even if you don’t really want them for the right price you add them and maybe not to long there after turn them over for profit then you have more equity towards something you really desire .

[Pete Lester]

Milton:

Four of the six Parker guns I own were legacies from my father -- Trojan 12; VH 12; VH 16 and DHE 12. In recent years I have added a GH 12 and a VH 16.

A WW II veteran, he departed from the usual path of his contemporaries by acquiring in the 1950s-1960s the Parker side-by-sides, and not repeaters, as were his buddies’ choices. Together they shot skeet and hunted Pheasant and waterfowl.

His preference for them was not because he was an antique guy, but because he was a quality guy.

Regrettably, despite my having a plethora of family photos of him, power-boating; sailing; fishing and standing near the classic airplane he restored and won prizes for, I don’t have a single one of him hunting or with a gun.

I live in a house surrounded by objects that were his and evoke his memory: furniture; photos; implements for hobbies and tools of trade; fishing gear; documents and various personal miscellany. But it is the guns that transmit the most meaningful connection to him.

As physical objects go, guns have a way of conveying in concentration a sense of its owner -- his (or her) character, experiences, relationships, and achievements, and do so inter-generationally, as best as anything I know.

I envy your early start in this and your mindful grasp of detail. Just keep it all in proportion and your rewards will be manifold.

You are a very fortunate man.

[Scott Janowski]

First Parker about 1990,I was 30 years old. Up until then I new little about Parkers. They always seemed to be something that were out of my reach.
Back then, pre-internet, gunshows were numerous and very active places. It wasn't uncommon to buy or trade a gun then flip it at the same show.
I was at a show in Greensburg PA. I had just traded up to a little Browning Citori, English grip gun. Walking past a table back in the corner an older gentleman, Bill Ault, had a table full of Parkers.
I walked out of the show without the Browning, but with a little 20g Trojan. That was the start. A few weekends later at a show in Harrisburg PA I thought I was trading up to a nice 16ga VH from the Hartman Bros. ,Elmira Arms, well it was my first learning experience with Parker condition. I wish I new were my first Parker is now.

The Hartman boys taught many people lessons.

[Phil Yearout]

I don't remember how old I was; 55-60, somewhere in there. With several Stevens and Fox shotguns in the cabinet I thought I'd see how the other half lives so I made an offer on a little 16ga Trojan with an issue or two that I was sure would be declined and suddenly found myself owning it. We've gotten along just fine and it got me in the Doubles Club :)...

https://i.imgur.com/gmXnLswl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9bRUgHLl.jpg

[Milton C Starr]

I really those paper 16 gauge hulls .
Ive have enjoyed all the stories I have read in this thread .

Another interesting topic would be how to introduce or get other people my age interested in vintage doubles .

[allen newell]

Our family, father, uncles all shot Parkers. My dad inherited his dad's 16 ga vh and shot that for years. Before i was old enough to hunt with a gun i would walk alongside my dad while he hunted grouse and woodcock. He talked alot about how fine parker shotguns were. I guess i just grew up not knowing there was any other shotgun worth hunting with except a Parker. And growing up in New England back in the day you hunted with a 16. When i reached 13 yrs if age dad let me hunt with the 16 and i killed a lot of birds, rabbits etc with that gun. After my dad died of Lou Gherigs disease I inherited the 16 and have kept it ever since. I finally had to get it fully restored as the stock at the head was pretty punky, there were no colors left. It needed a good restoration so i drove out to Del Grego's shop one day and sat down with Lawrence and Babe and figured out what we wanted to do. All new wood, colors, rust blue appropriately etc. A yr later they called and said it was done. After i got back from viet nam, i knew i had to have more parkers. It's a disease but one that won't kill you. You may go broke, but it won't kill you.

[Rich Anderson]

I never knew my Grandfather but have his DNA for which I'm grateful. The story regarding his A1 Special trap gun is that he used it very little but it was his favorite gun. He had a stroke and was unable to use it. It was his wish that the gun be given to a shooting friend who wouldn't be able to afford it upon his death. That wish was honored. My parents tried to track it down but it had been gone over 15 years by then and was never found.

I have been blessed with the AHE 20/28 set by a good friend who can no longer enjoy this fine gun as it was meant to be enjoyed. He knows I'll enjoy it and take good care of it and therefore made it available to me on a very gracious time table for payment.

I plan on following in my Grandfathers path with Gunner's Gun. A custom Parker purchased from a member here. It started out as a VH 20 but I had it restocked and engraved with pheasants, grouse, and woodcock. Gunner"s portrait in on the floor plate. He was my little buddy and I had his mom and there has never been a friend like him. He will go to a good friend who also has GSP's and a young son who is growing into being a hunter.

[Ted Hicks]

My Dad was a Parker guy for as long as I can remember and he usually had 5 - 10 of them on hand. I remember as a kid helping him clean his guns when he returned from a hunting trip. As I grew older and began hunting, he let me use certain Parkers of his and the others I was absolutely forbidden to touch. I consider myself lucky to have that introduction because I got to shoot/hunt with a few in different gauges and stock dimensions and learned what worked for me.

He passed in 2014 and I inherited his father's GH 12 ga and a second GH 12 ga, both of which I continue to hunt grouse and woodcock with. Last year I purchased my first Parker, a DH 12 gauge with 30" Damascus barrels which I will hunt turkeys with.

Being mostly a grouse and woodcock hunter I have in mind what I want for my next Parker and continue to search for it.

[allen newell]

I should have mentioned in my earlier post the following additional history on the 16 ga vh that i inherited from my father. This 1927 vh was purchased by my grandfather in Boston. My grandfather and family lived in Dedham, Mass but also owned a farm of sorts in Bow,
New Hampshire. Some time later he was shooting hand trap on the farm with his 4 sons and while shooting it the recoil caused his hand to strike his nose. Must have held the gun loosely. Anyway, he went home to Dedham complaining of a headache. Went to bed and was unresponsive the next morning when my grandmother had called the family doctor to check him out. He was dead by then of apparently a cerebral hemmorage. Instead of a nose bleed out, it bled inward. So, i never met my grandfather but have his 16 to this day and consider it very special. My apologies for being long winded.

[nick balzano]

Bought my first Parker at age 44. My stepson who was and is involved in antiques knew a gentleman who had a12 ga. trojan and needed money as he was getting older. The trojan is in very good condition with the only flaw is lack of case colors on the receiver. He also said he had the original hang tag but had to look for it, unfortunetly he never found it. That started my passion for these great firearms and I managed to acquire two more. I paid $400 for that first Parker

[Garth Gustafson]

[QUOTE=Rich Anderson;299481]I heard about Parkers long before I ever had one from my mother. My Grandfather was a double gun guy and Parker's were his favorite especially for shooting trap. I have a trophy he won at the Detroit gun club for breaking 200 straight from 16 yards to win the class C championship in 1936.
He shot both trap and skeet and I was lucky enough to find some old photos of him both hunting and target shooting with a PArker.

Mom said the Parkers were his favorite. The family story is that he bought an A1 special at Abercrombie & Fitch in Chicago while he was on his way to Mayo Clinic. He picked up the gun on his return. It would have been used as this was 1948 or so but Mom still remembers the argument over the $600 when there wasn't any discretionary funds.

Rich, the Chicago A&F store your Grandfather visited must have really been something special. At that time they were still doing business as Von Lengerke & Antoine at 9 N Wabash St in downtown Chicago. In fact, VL&A didn’t rebrand until 1959, more than 30 years after the A&F purchase. Such was the strength of the VL&A brand in the Midwest. What a sad day when A&F filed for bankruptcy in 1976. The Chicago store ran their going out of business sale in November 1977. Truly the end of an era. I wish I could have visited that store back in its heyday. Ed Muderlak wrote that he went in there as a kid and was in absolute awe of the place. Today, the old A&F storefront is a jewelry store.

[Milton C Starr]

[QUOTE=Rich Anderson;299481]I heard about Parkers long before I ever had one from my mother. My Grandfather was a double gun guy and Parker's were his favorite especially for shooting trap. I have a trophy he won at the Detroit gun club for breaking 200 straight from 16 yards to win the class C championship in 1936.
He shot both trap and skeet and I was lucky enough to find some old photos of him both hunting and target shooting with a PArker.

Mom said the Parkers were his favorite. The family story is that he bought an A1 special at Abercrombie & Fitch in Chicago while he was on his way to Mayo Clinic. He picked up the gun on his return. It would have been used as this was 1948 or so but Mom still remembers the argument over the $600 when there wasn't any discretionary funds.

Rich, the Chicago A&F store your Grandfather visited must have really been something special. At that time they were still doing business as Von Lengerke & Antoine at 9 N Wabash St in downtown Chicago. In fact, VL&A didn’t rebrand until 1959, more than 30 years after the A&F purchase. Such was the strength of the VL&A brand in the Midwest. What a sad day when A&F filed for bankruptcy in 1976. The Chicago store ran their going out of business sale in November 1977. Truly the end of an era. I wish I could have visited that store back in its heyday. Ed Muderlak wrote that he went in there as a kid and was in absolute awe of the place. Today, the old A&F storefront is a jewelry store.

One of the best looking doubles I ever got to hold when I worked on the plantation was a A&F , ive never seen another one like it .

[CraigThompson]

The Hartman boys taught many people lessons.

I assume you mean the Hartman's gave people "negative lessons" shall we say ?

[Ian Civco]

I received my first one as a gift, a VH 12 ga with condition, upon graduation from college, aged 21.

[Scott Janowski]

I assume you mean the Hartman's gave people "negative lessons" shall we say ?

I will say it is hard to get on the better side of a deal with them.

[Daniel B Sweet]

I just turned 65, this past season while hunting pheasant's with a couple of good friends both of which are all in S x S shooters, one of them made a comment to me something like this, " You know Dan as much as you love the old guns of quality I'm surprised you don't have a S x S". That comment got me to thinking, he was right so within a couple of weeks I purchased my first Parker a CHE 30" 12 gauge. With all this virus crap going on I haven't been able to shoot any clay with it but I have been swinging it along the ceiling/wall lines all the time, not quite the same. Hope the Fall shoot in PA still happens, I would like to attend.

[Milton C Starr]

I just turned 65, this past season while hunting pheasant's with a couple of good friends both of which are all in S x S shooters, one of them made a comment to me something like this, " You know Dan as much as you love the old guns of quality I'm surprised you don't have a S x S". That comment got me to thinking, he was right so within a couple of weeks I purchased my first Parker a CHE 30" 12 gauge. With all this virus crap going on I haven't been able to shoot any clay with it but I have been swinging it along the ceiling/wall lines all the time, not quite the same. Hope the Fall shoot in PA still happens, I would like to attend.

I have been doing the same thing ,I have been practice swinging my Parker 10 gauge . I doubt I will turkey hunt this year but waterfowl season is only about 5 months away . I love old guns in general , I like some modern guns but theres not many that catches my eye . Even modern sxs for that matter , to me the splinter forend on new sxs are too squared looking they arent as thin as these vintage ones .