Parker Research Letter Results.

[Mike Stahle]

Parker shotgun serial number 1447**, was ordered by T. B. Davis Arms Company in Portland, ME on April 3, 1908 and shipped on July 17, 1908. According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 77 it was a VH hammerless, 16-gauge. It featured Vulcan steel barrels with a length of 26 inches. Its stock configuration was a capped pistol grip. According To Parker Bros. Stock Book No. 51, its specifications were: Length of pull: 14 ¼”, Drop At heel: 2 ¾”, Weight: 5 pounds and 13 ounces. The price was $50.00.

The Parker is still 100% original. Where it was bought not so much.

Picture of T.B. Davis Arms Company in 1912. Portland, ME.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/mountaincreekphotos/TBDavisArmsCompany1912.jpg

Intersection of Federal St. and Temple St. Portland, ME. today.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/mountaincreekphotos/210FederalStPortlandME04101todayMinottsFlowers.jpg

Minott’s Flowers

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/mountaincreekphotos/MinottsFlowers.jpg

[Dean Romig]

Nice research work Mike.

I wonder if Leon Leonwood Bean bought his Parkers from Davis or directly to his little store in Freeport.

His 16 ga. DH sold at a Julia's auction about three years ago and there is still a D grade (don't remember if this one is a 16 or a 20 ga.) on display at the Hunting & Fishing Wing at the main store today. Has anyone seen the letters on either of these?

[Mike Stahle]

Nice research work Mike.

I wonder if Leon Leonwood Bean bought his Parkers from Davis or directly to his little store in Freeport.
His 16 ga. DH sold at a Julia's auction about three years ago and there is still a D grade (don't remember if this one is a 16 or a 20 ga.) on display at the Hunting & Fishing Wing at the main store today. Has anyone seen the letters on either of these?

Good question...

I was thinking, wouldn’t it have been way cool, if Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (September 8, 1828 – February 24, 1914) would have stoped by this store in 1908 and checked out the one I have. :)

[Dean Romig]

Interestingly, I have a nice Titanic barreled DH 12 that was shipped directly from Meriden to a gentleman in Danville, a suburb of Portland, in 1898.

[David Holes]

It's like traveling in a time machine researching these old guns. Thank you guys for getting these records. Wouldn't it be fun to walk thru those doors to look around?

[Dean Romig]

We would probably have been treated better. Today at some sporting goods and gun stores, if we ask to see their SXS guns we are looked at as if we have six eyes and treated about the same.

[Mike Stahle]

Yes if only these old gal’s could talk… :cool:

[Dave Suponski]

Dean, You are right. Two weeks ago I was in the gun library of Cabelas in Hartford,CT. There was a straight grip PH in the glass case. I was mildly interested in the gun. I asked the gun room attendant if I may see it. He said "Why are ya gonna buy it?"And of course I said "Nevermind"...:rolleyes: Another satisfied Cabelas customer....

[E Robert Fabian]

Don't get me started. To many storys nobody wants to hear.:nono: