Annual Meeting Photos

[Bruce Day]

A wonderful organization with great leaders and dedicated people. We had a great meeting, more and better guns available than ever before. A person had so many to choose from if he was looking. All grades, conditions and price levels. All the major dealers were there except Puglisi and deals were made. I thought I would show a few pictures of what was shown there and what attendees got to see. There were lots more. I drove back and forth to Maryland from Kansas in 16hrs each way. I had several guns with me for shooting and exhibit and returned transporting guns and the 2010 raffle gun.

I believe the next major Parker exhibition will yet another large one of 30-40 nice guns again at the Pheasants Forever Pheasant Fest in Des Moines at the end of February. This is another of our many events west of the Mississippi and is attended by people from all over. In 2009 we showed Parker guns of all gauges 8 through 410 ( and 14 and 24). I don't know what we will do next year, but we will do something interesting. Hope many of you that find it difficult to make east coast meetings can come and look. John Browning's AH PArker was a hit at the last show and maybe want to see that again.


1. Some of our core people talking at the table in our tent.

2. Parkers for sale at Chuck Bruner's table. Had some very nice pieces that struck my attention.

3. John Davis smokes 'em with a little V grade 28ga.

4. The banquet room. Must have been the alcohol.

[Bruce Day]

1. Russ Jackson is a proud papa with his new 20ga C grade.

2. Jim Malone and Howard Lowensteiner getting a cold one.

3. Austin Hogan and a couple fellows I don't know.

4. Charlie Herzog and Jeff Kuss during the cocktails hours.

[Bruce Day]

These are photos of a good member's outstanding AHE 20ga. The gun is documented to and ordered by Charles Parker junior. Note the high condition and articulated front trigger. Among the top rate Parkers, this is one of them. This one is enroute to Lawrence, Kansas to meet with Marvin Huey and be French fitted into a custom built case, which will enhance the presentation of this top ranked Parker.

[Bruce Day]

This small bore Bernard barreled CHE is a SN 150,000 gun, a late Bernard and exquisite. One of the handful of known small bore Bernards.

[Bruce Day]

16ga underlifter. Light and fast, frame grooves, everything perfect.

[Bruce Day]

20ga top lever D grade hammer gun. This gun is the highest grade top lever 20ga hammer gun known to be in existance. If anybody knows of another D or higher in a 20, please advise. The list shows four were made.

This gun spent its entire life in rural Nebraska. It was ordered by P O Mahoney of Lincoln in 1902 from a dealer in Des Moines and used by him until sold into the Williams family of Crete. The Mahoney family around Lincoln is well known but I have not been able to trace P O Mahoney. Anybody have any information? Its not my gun, its owned by a close friend.

PS There is a photo of a C 20ga hammer in TPS stating it is owned by Wayne Owens. So there is at least one higher grade.

[Bruce Day]

There were lots of roughed in forearms for sale in the silent auction with many left over.

The raffle gun for 2010 is a two barrel set of GH damascus. The original barrels are 32 and 26, comes in a recent case. This should draw attention.

[Bruce Day]

Finally, we realize that a certain web administrator is or may look at this. Now, this fellow, who shall go un named, is a fine fellow who comes on out here and borrows our guns because his own are too good to use out here in the dust and wind, and besides, you know that we seldom get to see or own fine Parkers out here on the Big Windy, so the un named web guy's buddy bought a gun that could be used by him or other high class people that come out here.

So here it is, a worn but honest VH 12ga, all of which of $1500 was paid for the gun at Vintagers. A straight, decent gun to show that they are available. Anyway, this will be for the un named him to shoot, and its shown with his special pheasant hunting hat. This gun is also specially cased in its own long black vinyl zippered case.

On the left is a helmet, which would be safer for us to wear when that fellow is in the field.

[Angel Cruz]

Thanks for the update and photos Bruce..

[Kurt Densmore]

Thanks Bruce. You posted up some very fine specimens indeed...:)

[David Dwyer]

Bruce
Thanks for evverything, especially that CHE 16 Bernard. I know it has found a fitting home!
David

[Bruce Day]

There were many fine Parkers there including David's exquisite high condition 16ga top lever B grade hammer I think it was. I don't know my grades in the hammer guns like I do in the hammerless, but whatever it is, it is an outstanding and worthy gun. Not only that, but I was privileged to shoot it. I regret that I did not take photos of it and I hope Austin did, because it is Parker Pages or DGJ material. I was honored to meet you David.

[John Dunkle]

Hey Bruce..!

AWESOME pictures - even the blurry ones (it reminds me of being there without my glasses ;) ).. Some seriously beautiful Parkers - our thanks again for taking the time to post them..!

As well - Jeff or Greg will be coming to SD?? Simply outstanding!!! I'll opt for the helmet, thank-you-very-much :) :)

Seriously - my thanks again!!

John

[Dave Suponski]

Here,s a few more Bob Faddis's great display

[Dave Suponski]

Daryl Middlebrook and Jim Malone at the Hospitality Tent

[Dave Suponski]

Our Editor-in- Chief Austin Hogan

[Dave Suponski]

A little off topic Our side trip after the Vintagers- Gettysburg National Battlefield. This view is from Little Round Top looking at Devils Den(the rock formation on left center)

[Bruce Day]

Dave and Barb Wunrow.....what great people. They haul that trailer around to Vintagers, UP, Duluth. They serve libations, Glenn Fewless often cooks, what wonderful times. I like the guns, but its the people who are THE BEST!

Oh, and the list goes on. Morris Baker so proud and like a kid with a new prized toy with that significant Burton Spiller gun....and Morris handling out free boxes of his latest RST spreader loads. What a guy.

And Eric Eis with that absolutely stunning VHE skeet gun new in the box and never assembled. That gun is the model for Parker case colors. It was a treat to see these fabulous guns.

[Craig Larter]

Bob Faddis is one of the nicest guys I have ever met! He let me handle all of his guns and went out of his way to explain all the details of his awesome collection. I am a Fox guy but Bob was great, a true collector with great love for Parker guns. Thank you very much!

[James T. Kucaba]

Bruce ... Really great photos as usual ... Can you tell us who won the raffle gun ?

Jim Kucaba ... AriZOOna Cactus Patch ... Email: JimKucaba@aol.com

[Bruce Day]

No I can't Jim because I don't remember the name. It was no one I recognized. He was from Wisconsin and when we were up there we ( Allan Swanson, Ed Morgan and Tom Wooden) sold lots of raffle tickets.

I know your Grail gun is in the photos. Maybe another one will magically appear someday, just as that D grade 20 did. Quite a few old Parkers seem to be appearing now.

[Dean Romig]

A few more.

1. Larry Frey's cart was hard to push.

2. Some familiar faces at the PGCA Banquet.

3. I don't know who tried to smuggle a Perazzi into the hotel
but we tossed it out in the parking lot.

4. Danny Suponski and Dave. That rookie can shoot!!!

5. Secret stash out in the truck . . . what a sweet sixteen!!!

[ED J, MORGAN]

Thanks bruce for the fine pictures. I did not make this meeting because of my hunting trip to Namibia. When i get pictures sorted out, i will post the web site address for you all. regards, Ed

[James T. Kucaba]

No I can't Jim because I don't remember the name. It was no one I recognized. He was from Wisconsin and when we were up there we ( Allan Swanson, Ed Morgan and Tom Wooden) sold lots of raffle tickets.

I know your Grail gun is in the photos. Maybe another one will magically appear someday, just as that D grade 20 did. Quite a few old Parkers seem to be appearing now.


Bruce ... Another of my "Grail" guns is a 14ga. Lifter like the one Cabela's in Lacey Washington screwed me out of a few months back ... There was another 14ga lifter, SN 019, that sold for way more than it was worth at the most recent Rock Island Auction ... So I'm still lookin.

[Bruce Day]

A few more pictures:

1. Austin Hogan and Dave "Hammer" Purnell.

2. Doug Turnbull's restored CHE 16ga. This is one of 6 C Bernard 16ga's that I know of presently in existance. Two more are known to be destroyed. This one was made without a safety.

3. Jim Hall's AHE 16ga. Notice the unusual bas relief engraving. Another of the top level Parkers.

4. A 12ga CHE for sale by Chuck Bruner ( Greene's Guns). Nice floor plate engraving.

[Kurt Densmore]

Did you get any pictures of that lifter on the back of the table? Forearm checkering looks to be a grade 2 and it has a really nice piece of wood.

A few more pictures:

1. Austin Hogan and Dave "Hammer" Purnell.

2. Doug Turnbull's restored CHE 16ga. This is one of 6 C Bernard 16ga's that I know of presently in existance. Two more are known to be destroyed. This one was made without a safety.

3. Harold Loewensteiner's BHE 16ga. Notice the unusual bas relief engraving. Another of the top level Parkers.

4. A 12ga CHE for sale by Chuck Bruner ( Greene's Guns). Nice floor plate engraving.

[Bruce Day]

Austin brought that down. It was a fine gun with killer wood. I didn't get pictures so talk to Austin. Eric Eis and Terry Epply came down from Michigan.

[Dean Romig]

Isn't that Jim Hall's A1S (People's Choice Winner) behind Howard's BHE ?

[Josh Loewensteiner]

Guys-

The gun pictured in Bruce's post listed as "Harold's" is actually Jimmy Hall's spectacular AHE 16ga. What a gun! I can tell because the People's Choice winner can be seen in the background.

For the record, my father's name is Howard, too.

[Bruce Day]

A thousand apologies and all corrections are graciously accepted.

[Larry Frey]

Guys-

The gun pictured in Bruce's post listed as "Harold's" is actually Jimmy Hall's spectacular AHE 16ga. What a gun! I can tell because the People's Choice winner can be seen in the background.

For the record, my father's name is Howard, too.

Jim Halls AHE 16 gage got my vote over every other gun there including his A1S.:bowdown: Interestingly enough Jim told me at breakfast the next day the AHE is his favorite as well.

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Josh. Sorry about the error in your Dad's name.

[james van blaricum]

Great Pictures Bruce!! Who won the raffle? Looks like every one had a great time! Van

[Bill Bolyard]

Hey Bruce,

I told you guys to bring the raffle gun back to me. You assured me that the gun was as good as mine after all those tickets you sold me in Madison. I should have known better then trust a Barrister.:crying:

Bill

[Andrew Thompson]

Bruce, my girlfriend told me that if she finds a new Parker in my safe before she gets a ring, I'm out and she'll keep my dogs. After seeing these pics, I weighing my options.

[Bill Bolyard]

Andrew,

From my personal experience it is cheaper to buy the gun now and avoid the divorce in the future. Let's face it, your bitten by the infamous Parker bug, and your better to move on to a more understanding girlfriend that has large sum's of money that can fund your addiction. Do not trust Mr Day, he is a Lawyer!:rotf::rotf:

[Bruce Day]

If a person can make the annual meeting at least every few years that is fine and he can get back into the Parker interest.
Don't have to have an expensive, engraved, Parker to have a nice gun. Just get a decent, honest V or damascus G and enjoy yourself.
Bill, we were successful at selling raffle tickets in Wisconsin at Pheasant Fest. The G 16 raffle gun went to one of them I believe and maybe we will have a new person with an interest in Parkers.

[Robin Lewis]

More pictures at www.parkerguns.org main page and then go in the Events page.

[John Dunkle]

Robin.....

I just wanted to tell you in public, so folks know "who is behind that curtain" - that your work/updates on the PGCA Website is tremendous.. The Events page, the FAQ section which you filled out with content, Remington Repair code look-ups, etc. - are truly appreciated by all of us...

My Thanks Robin!

:cheers:

John

[Dean Romig]

I second John's appreciation of your "behind the scenes" work, both on the various topics on the home page but on the Parker Pages Archive CD too. Great work Robin!! :)

I hope we get some direction from the BOD as to how the CD will be produced/handled/sold/distributed/etc. soon. I know a tremendous amount of time and energy were put into the Annual Meeting and Banquet but that's behind us now so I hope we hear how we can obtain one of these great CDs that Robin has created.

[Dave Suponski]

I concur wit dem guy's Robin, Thanks for all you do..It's much appreciated :bowdown:

[Bruce Day]

Charlie Herzog at Vintagers with a recent acquisition. D grade hammer 20. From the farm fields of Nebraska and still had chicken feathers in the bores and covered with a light rust bloom. It got the minimal treatment to make it presentable.

[Jay Gardner]

Charlie Herzog at Vintagers with a recent acquisition. D grade hammer 20. From the farm fields of Nebraska and still had chicken feathers in the bores and covered with a light rust bloom. It got the minimal treatment to make it presentable.

Geez, are there any cool Parkers Charlie doesn't own or hasn't owned?:bowdown:

[Bill Bolyard]

Nope!

[Bruce Day]

Sometimes people see the inherent value and possibilities in what others might think of as a junker. Some look only for case colors and high grades with lots of engraving.

This gun was considered just a beat up old chicken coop gun for the last 40 years. Nobody thought it was cool.

[Jay Gardner]

Well, is a 20 ga DH with damascus barrels "cool"? That's all I am looking for. Gues I better start checking out more chicken coops.