W.R. Crosby's Parker

[Drew Hause]

Crosby started with Baker Gun & Forging, 1st with a Grade B then a Paragon

1899 "Baker Gunner"

https://photos.smugmug.com/Shooters/Trapshooting/i-T5Snnf5/0/f4ca0198/M/C%202%201899%20Crosby-M.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/Shooters/Trapshooting/i-T5Snnf5/A)

but switched to Hunter Arms in 1900. I have no information as to the grade or dimensions of the Smith.

In 1904, Crosby ordered through Capt. duBray a 20g VH, 30” barrels with F/F chokes, no safety, LOP-14”, DAC-1 3/8”, DAH- 2 1/4”, Pitch-2 3/4’, Weight- 6lb-10oz., Chambers- 2 7/8”, RH trigger- 3 1/2lb, LH trigger- 4lb.
The Parker records include the notation “Send Bill - Compliments of Parker Brothers”. (Courtesy of Daryl Corona)
He continued to compete with his Smith, and the gun may have been for Mrs. Crosby.

There was a report in Sporting Life that at the Philadelphia Eastern Handicap July, 1906 he was using a Parker with 32” barrels.

It appears that he was using a new gun in 1912; from Breeder & Sportsman August 17, 1912

https://photos.smugmug.com/Shooters/Trapshooting/i-s5BfjR7/0/f70a791f/M/Crosby%20Breeder%20%26%20Sportsman%20Aug%2017%2C%2 01912-M.png (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/Shooters/Trapshooting/i-s5BfjR7/A)

1912 Sportsmen's Review (this may have been posted by Randy)

https://photos.smugmug.com/Shooters/Trapshooting/i-D9Bwsmb/0/d1122233/XL/Crosby%201912-XL.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/Shooters/Trapshooting/i-D9Bwsmb/A)

I don't know when he changed to an Ithaca 5E SBT

[Drew Hause]

Breeder & Sportsman August 31, 1912

https://photos.smugmug.com/Shooters/Trapshooting/i-LXDbvjW/0/116883dc/M/Breeder%20%26%20Sportsman%20Aug.%2031%2C%201912-M.png (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/Shooters/Trapshooting/i-LXDbvjW/A)

[Mills Morrison]

I have a c. 1890 Parker top lever hammer gun with “Crosby” noted in the order book. Big question is if it could be W R Crosby. Seems a bit unlikely honestly but explain the notation another way

[Daryl Corona]

In 1904, Crosby ordered through Capt. duBray a 20g VH, 30” barrels with F/F chokes, no safety, LOP-14”, DAC-1 3/8”, DAH- 2 1/4”, Pitch-2 3/4’, Weight- 6lb-10oz., Chambers- 2 7/8”, RH trigger- 3 1/2lb, LH trigger- 4lb.
The Parker records include the notation “Send Bill - Compliments of Parker Brothers”. (Courtesy of Daryl Corona):Quote:

Still have the gun and shoot it well as my measurements must have been close to W.R. 's. Don't have the issue info but Steve Cambria did a wonderful article on this gun in Double Gun Journal.

[Drew Hause]

https://photos.smugmug.com/Shooters/Trapshooting/i-J9wz3tb/0/9bb006a7/M/Breeder%20%26%20Sportsman%201-6-1912-M.png (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/Shooters/Trapshooting/i-J9wz3tb/A)

[Drew Hause]

Crosby was a big guy and it is interesting that he specified only a 14" LOP

1899 Sportsman's Show - Jack Fanning (Smith), W.R. Crosby (Baker), Charles Budd (Parker), B. Leroy Woodard, Campello, Mass., (Remington), Rolla Heikes (Remington)
Courtesy of Randy Davis

https://photos.smugmug.com/Shooters/Trapshooting/i-RTfdmbD/0/b5ae2f2c/L/Budd%204%201899%20Madison%20Sq%20Garden%20FanningC rosbyBuddBWoodwardHeikes-L.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/Shooters/Trapshooting/i-RTfdmbD/A)