AH Parkers ordered by CEP

[Ray Masciarella]

The first two photos are of sn 60396, a D6 10 ga with 32" barrels. One of eight made, one of two ordered by CEP. It was built in 1890 and stayed in Parker's inventory until 1901 when it was sold for the discounted price of 100 dollars. (that's about 20k to 25k in todays dollars!). It was displayed by Parker at the sportsman expos in New Year and Boston, as well as others.

The other photos are of sn 60509, a D6 12 ga with 32" barrels. One of 13 made. It was ordered in 1890 and was in and out of Parker's inventory until 1906. Wow, 16 years! It was consigned to many dealers for exhibition and displayed at numerous expos by various dealers, but it doesn't appear that Parker itself used it for their own display at any known expos.

It is said that these CEP guns were "special" but, other then being ordered by him, they don't appear to be any more "special" then any other AH. At least not any others I own. The quality of the wood, barrels and engraving is no better then two other AH's I own that were made in 1890 and 1891.

One interesting thing about these guns is how long Parker used them. They were displayed by Parker long after the AH engraving petterns were modified, ie the engraving was much finer and more detailed in 1890 then is was during the late 1890's and thereafter. In other words, a purchaser was going to get the same fine engraving in 1900 that he would have found by inspecting one if these guns before his purchase.

Anyway, thought you'd like to see them. Don't forget to click on photos to enlarge!

Best to all, Ray

[Dave Suponski]

Wonderful guns Ray! Thank you for letting us enjoy them also.

[Ed Blake]

Using the CPI (Consumer Price Index) for comparison purposes $100 in 1901 would buy $2,650.00 in goods and services in 2010.

[Ray Masciarella]

Ed

Thx for correcting my math. I added one too many zero's!!

Anyway, at $2650, I'll take a dozen!!

Best, Ray

[calvin humburg]

Don't know how to put it other than WOW!!!!!!!!!!. Thanks Ray I would not object to many more photo's.

[David Dwyer]

Ray
That 10 ga is spectacular. I have a 1911 AHE 16ga that I thought was the nicest AHE until I saw yours. Maybe the theme for next years Peoples Choice awards should be A grades?
David

[Ray Masciarella]

Couple more photos per request. Last two are not CEP guns but wanted to post to show other early guns had engraving jst as good as CEP guns. Thx, Ray

[Ray Masciarella]

I more of SN 60509 CEP

[charlie cleveland]

beautiful ray...most of us here will never be able to afford such a gun as shown but my people like you and others willing to show there guns such as these we are all able to enjoy them.... thanks to you and others...... charlie

[tom leshinsky]

excuse my ignorance, but who or what is CEP.

[Richard Flanders]

Charles Parker maybe ??

[Bill Murphy]

Charles Eddy Parker, son of Charles Parker. I don't remember what his position was in the company, if any. In the order books are high grade guns made in the name of Charles E. Parker. I don't think anyone is sure why these guns were made, whether for his use or some other purpose. These guns are listed in The Parker Story.

[Robin Lewis]

My guess would be CHARLES E. PARKER

[Ray Masciarella]

They were ordered by Charles Eddy Parker. He was a Parker big shot. I think VP. He ordered the guns to show off Parkers craftsmanship. From what I've seen, they were used primarily to use at shows and expos, either by Parker or its large dealers. For the most part, they remained in Parkers inventory for many years and were sent all over the place for display by large dealers or shows. The Parker Story has some info on them.

It would be a neat project for PGCA to start a registry of these guns, research were they all went and what they were actually used for, and where they are now. I think there were a total of around 45 in grades C, B, and A (which was the highest grade in 1890 when they were ordered). The Parker records has a lot of info on them.