The Invincables

[CraigThompson]

Are they on loan at the NRA mueseum or were they donated ?

[Reggie Bishop]

At one time they were on loan from the Peterson collection. I think I read that they were then donated to the NRA. But I am not sure how accurate that is.

[Bill Murphy]

Donated.

[CraigThompson]

So Bob Peterson bought two of them from Shelly Gitman is that correct ?

[Bill Murphy]

From Tony Galazan as I recall.

[CraigThompson]

From Tony Galazan as I recall.

Gittman owned two of them at some point is that correct ?

[Brian Dudley]

The whole peterson collection was left to the NRA.

[Dave Noreen]

I seem to remember a picture of Shelley and Kevin McCormack each holding an Invincible. Kevin am I dreaming?

[Kevin McCormack]

I seem to remember a picture of Shelley and Kevin McCormack each holding an Invincible. Kevin am I dreaming?

No Dave; you are correct. The picture was taken in Del Grego's old shop on north 5h Avenue in Ilion when I "rode shotgun" (sorry!) with Shelly to take up 30+ of the best guns in his collection for a dedicated photography session for The Parker Story. There is also a picture or two of Bob Runge, Babe, and Lawrence holding them. We were there 2 days and saw some spectacular and rare Parkers besides the Invincibles. Thanks for the memories!

First pic is Shelly and myself holding the Invincibles; second is L to R, Lawrence Del Grego, Bob Runge, Babe Del Grego and Shelly Gitman

[Bill Murphy]

Craig, some day you may get an answer to your question in book form. It's no fun to hear only part of the story. At one time, a couple of our members got the entire story from the horse's mouth. It was a day to remember. A couple of different people related the "story" as they witnessed it and as they understood it. There were a couple of errors in their versions, but not important ones.

[edgarspencer]

From my 'Invincible' folder. These predate Shelly Gitman's ownership.
The catalog, done on a 'typewriter' (a mechanical device used to imprint letters on a piece of paper).
The photo of Gary and Denise Herman, at the Sahara, ca 1972. IIRC.
I got to fondle 230,329, and 200,000 (technically NOT an invincible)

[Bill Murphy]

Gary Herman can tell 90% of the real story. The German can tell the rest of the story. Why is 200,000 not technically an Invincible, not that I have a dog in this fight?

[Dave Noreen]

The story of the A.C. Midleton, 16-gauge, Invincible, 230329, authored by Dick Baldwin, was in the May 1971 issue of Guns & Ammo.

[Dean Romig]

Gary Herman can tell 90% of the real story. The German can tell the rest of the story. Why is 200,000 not technically an Invincible, not that I have a dog in this fight?

Because 200,000 was recorded as a “PP Superfine” in the column that determined Grade.





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[edgarspencer]

200,000 was the inspiration for the Invincible, but when it was made, the name didn't exist.

[Bill Murphy]

I would still like to own and/or shoot it, regardless of its faulty provenance.

[Dean Romig]

IMO 200,000 is still one of the three Invincibles.





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[Dave Noreen]

Gary Herman displayed the A.C. Middleton gun at the 1970 NRA convention.

120512

Moments after I took that picture I turned around and met Elmer Keith.

[Bill Murphy]

My ex and I were in Gary's shop around 1970 on a visit to her mother in Rockport, Mass. Gary had a fine little DH 28 gauge for $2650. He also had the Middleton gun with an actual price tag on it. I passed on both. Researcher, I'm sure Elmer was impressed.

[edgarspencer]

Gary Herman can tell 90% of the real story. The German can tell the rest of the story.

Would that have been Jaeger?

[Bill Murphy]

Yes, the fellow who knows more than the rest of us about the Invincibles. He once published an article telling what he knew at the time.

[Bill Murphy]

Edgar, no, it was Dietrich Apel, a great fellow who would bend your ear at the Southern Side by Side, in the lower tent. He is part of the Invincible story. In fact, I think he could have told the whole story of the Middleton gun, maybe more.

[Bill Murphy]

I don't remember where I read Dietrich's account. It's around here somewhere. I may have gotten it verbally and not recorded it, like I got Shelly's account. There was a second witness to the conversation with Shelly, but he's older than I am.:rotf::rotf: