G & H High Grade SN 6966

[Bruce Day]

Several of us have noticed that an A grade early hammer Parker ( dollar grade equivalent) at Griffin and Howe has generated considerable discussion. I have been requested by a small group of collectors to respond.

1. The G & H gun is SN 6966. TPS p. 596 identifies this piece as one that was displayed at the Parker Brothers exhibit at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876 commemorating the one hundreth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The gun is identifed in the listing as Damascus, Grade 6, PG, 10, 28. The Centennial Exposition is the first known Parker show display and featured Parker's newest and best.

2. SN 6966 has flat and intricately engraved sideplates. The gun was inspected at G & H on July 18 by a significant collector who verifies that the sideplates are not stepped.

3. There are no Parkers with stepped sideplates that are known to Parker collectors.

I have attached a series of photos. The first is the composite photo of SN 6966 taken from the G & H website. Next is a Lefever with stepped sideplates. Following the Lefever is a series of high grade Parkers showing details of the sideplates.

Yours in Parkers,
Bruce Day

[Bill Murphy]

Thanks four that heads up, Bruce.

[Dean Romig]

Bruce, can the "significant collector" who had the opportunity to inspect the subject gun verify or deny that the barrel steel is like that of your 3rd and 9th illustrations?

[Bruce Day]

Photo 3 is Laminated Steel.
Photo 9 is Herringbone Laminated.
SN 6966 is recorded as Damascus steel. I don't know if it is correct. I suppose if a person had a serious interest in the gun, that would be something he would want to check. Damascus and Laminated were the usual cataloged barrels for these A grades. I haven't heard after the G&H visit.

[E Robert Fabian]

Like the G+H gun this gun sure looks stepped.

[Bruce Day]

Yes it does but it is a low grade lifter and likely to be only an illusion. But this is a Puglisi gun and a person could always call John and ask. If it is stepped, it is the first known.

[Dean Romig]

Is that gun still at Puglisi's?

[Bill Murphy]

Dean, it doesn't matter. The other one is still at Griffin and Howe.

[Bill Murphy]

Dean, it doesn't matter. The other one is still at Griffin and Howe. That's some "optical illusion".

[calvin humburg]

I believe it's on the sales rack i'll check. That gun crossed my mide as well, talking about steps.

yes on sales rack.

[calvin humburg]

16680 Look how it is smooth behind the lock and it appears that the wood is complementing it???

[Dean Romig]

But the wood on the one at Puglisi's seems to follow the contour of what appears to be stepped lock plates. It it's an optical illusion it's a very convincing one.

[Dean Romig]

Great minds think alike Cal!

[Dave Suponski]

Is this gun listed on Puglisi's site? I looked them over a couldn't find it.

[Greg Baehman]

Dave, look on Puglisi's "Sales Rack" section of their site. It's the 1st one listed, 10-ga. undetermined grade. You'll swear it has stepped sideplates.

Here's a direct link:
http://www.pugsguns.com/findItem.action?id=1443

[Angel Cruz]

lOOK AT THE PICTURE SHOWING THE TOP TANG. IT IS STEPPED.

[Dave Suponski]

Greg and Angel, Thanks for the help here. Ever since a member made the statement that Parker never made stepped lock plates I was questioning my sanity(that happens alot). I knew I had seen an early gun with stepped locks years ago.But I was beginning to question myself. You guys helped restore my sanity even if it's short lived....:rotf:

So Parker did in fact make stepped locks on a few very early guns. "Never say never"

[Dean Romig]

Take a look...

Though Parker Bros rarely commented in the order books or stock books regarding engraving and sculpting I sure would like to see the letter on this one.



.

[Bill Murphy]

How many of us remember the low, low grade stepped lock plate gun at Cabela's a while back? Someone at Cabela's recognized it for the rare gun that it was, pricing it a few dollars above my desire to bite the bullet.

[Dean Romig]

Bill, did you ever get any research information on the Cabela's gun (or any Parker with stepped lock plates) that may have mentioned that feature?