no safety

[eddie gray]

are parkers without a safety a trap gun or a pigeon gun
tks eddie

[Bill Murphy]

In my experience, it is either, both, or neither. The original order may tell you or the era of manufacture may be a clue also. The configuration of the gun is another clue.

[Robin Lewis]

I know that some British guns are recognized as "Pigeon guns" and a characteristic of them is the lack of a safety. But, I believe that Parker's "Pigeon gun" was a marketing term and not a type of gun. The rib of early AAH(E)'s were engraved Pigeon but all else is the same as what you would expect on any Parker (safety included). I have looked at early Parker paper and the AAH was listed as a Pigeon Gun but it didn't call out a specific configuration. At that time, they would have been the top grade Parker available.

I suspect that advertising term was dropped around 1907 when the A1S was introduced.

[eddie gray]

tks guys

[Dave Noreen]

Another no-safety gun we run into from time to time is a short barrel open-bored smallbore, that was made as a plantation Quail gun. Carried empty in the saddle scabbard, and only loaded when the shooter dismounts and walks in for the flush.

[Larry Frey]

Another no-safety gun we run into from time to time is a short barrel open-bored smallbore, that was made as a plantation Quail gun. Carried empty in the saddle scabbard, and only loaded when the shooter dismounts and walks in for the flush.

Dave a perfect example of that would be the no safety DH, 26" 28 gage shown below. This was a $100.00 gun in 1902 that according to the PGCA letter was discounted to $40.00.

[Dale Zywina]

Yah I also wonder as my 1911 DHE 12ga 30" barreled gun straight stock, is very heavy, I think this was ordered as a Pigeon or a Goose gun for Western Canada! Wish I knew the true story on this one!Dale Z in Canada

[John Rutledge]

Thanks for the discussion. My 32" 1913 DHE has no safety and came froim the factory that way. It also has double front ivory beads which I have never understood. I have had one gunsmith tell me that some people believe a safety only leads to a false sense of comfort around the gun. I do not believe that one.....I would feel irresponsible if I took it into the field with other hunters.

JR

[calvin humburg]

Larry,
My oh my that is a neet combo!!!! How about a picture of the box. You own the perfect shotgun in my opinion. ch

[Larry Frey]

Larry,
My oh my that is a neet combo!!!! How about a picture of the box. You own the perfect shotgun in my opinion. ch

Calvin,
And here I thought you were strictly a big bore kind of guy. That was a neat little gun but it currently resides in someone else's safe. My lack of shooting ability requires I launch more pellet's then that little pea shooter could handle.:)

What would you like a picture of the shell box?

[Dean Romig]

Calvin,
That was a neat little gun but it currently resides in someone else's safe.


:crying:

[Bill Murphy]

John R. and Dale Z., have you gotten PGCA letters on your guns to try to solve the mysteries. John, are the two front sights side by side? I have a D Grade with two rear sights side by side.

[Dean Romig]

I have a D Grade with two rear sights side by side.

Bill, what does your letter say about those rear sights... who sights a shotgun besides someone who plans to take deer with it?

[Bill Murphy]

Nothing on the order about the rear sights on my DH. I saw a Greener with two rear sights side by side at the Baltimore Show this month. It must have been a fad at one time.

[John Rutledge]

Bill, the two front beads are 1/4" and 7/16" from the bore. The letter from Parker said it left the factory with both 32" barrles choked full and full(280#8 pellets in a 30" circle at 40 yards) and 2 5/8" chambers. The order speciified no saftey and while it originally had double triggers it was converted with what looks like a Miller SST.

JR

[calvin humburg]

Larry,
Oh I likes em all. Yes a close up of that ol shell box. Any idea when it was made?

[Dale Zywina]

Bill I letered my gun #156359 shipped June 18,1911 and recieved by J.H Ashdown Hardware Co. Winnipeg Manatoba Canada July 20,1911 as a DHE 12ga 2-3/4" chambers, Titanic steel barrels 30" full/full choked, order specified no saftey, Straight grip stock 1-3/4"pitch,cast off 1/4" at heel and 3/8" at toe, medium thick comb, 4 pound of trigger pull. Says targeted with 3-1/4 Dupont powder, 1-1/8 ounce of #4 shot, length of pull 14-1/2",drop at comb 1-1/2",drop at heel 2-1/8", weight 7 LBS 12 ounces, Price $100 plus $25 for ejectors. Funny about this gun it did not come with a skeleton Parker butplate, but has a horn curved type with Parker screws , unknow when this was done, but it had been in one family for a long time? The gun is in I say 70%cond. the fella I bought it from used this as his everyday grouse gun, great for poping heads of them here in the thick bush we hunt them in!
What do you guys think this gun was ordered for? I think it was for Canada geese/duck gun due to its weight, but thats just my theory? Let me know what you guys think? Dale Z in Canada!

[Dean Romig]

I'm inclined to believe it was ordered without a safety primarily for use on the Manitoba prarie for sage grouse or prarie chickens or whatever was indigenous to the area. Travel by wagon across the wide expanses stopping at likely areas and putting the dogs down and walk up by them when they come to point. Who would need a safety?




.

[Bill Murphy]

The "prairie gun" is as good a guess as any. With the thick comb, it could have been a trap gun, who knows. Still a scarce configuration and a great gun.

[Drew Hause]

A.B. Frost 1895

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/20597982/389143448.jpg

[Dale Zywina]

I never think of Prarie upland game ,as I always equate the West as Geese/duck country? I think the idea as an walk up upland bird gun sounds about right, as I use it for the same purpose in the old choked logging roads of North Western Ontario, the shots are all on the ground or running between the trees, it is similiar to hunting running rabbits, most who never hunt here scorn at us for shooting ground birds, but till you hunt here you will relize the only place they fly up is into the nearest tree, wich is ussually 10 feet at most away! I thought the shot size and powder weight and weight of the gun was substantial for use as upland game, but it is sure a pleasure to shoot, no recoil at all with #5 shot, my favorite size for partridge.
If anyone else can provide details of what there no saftey gun was choked and what load it was set up for I would appreciate it!
Funny one day I am in the book store and find a Copy of Parker Guns, not knowing anything about them, and a year later this gun falls into my lap! Sure hard to find my second Parker that is as nice as this!

cheers all, dale Z in Thunder bay Ontario Canada