The ones that got away

[David Noble]

Hello, new nember here. I was just reading in the reproduction forum about a gun that was sold a few years back and how the seller wishes he had it back now.
Ohh do I know that feeling! I've collected doubles for 35 years now and have a few, but times have not always been good so some had to be sacrificed.
The one I regret selling most was a DelGrego restored BHE 12 ga with 32" barrels that was just immaculate. It was an early gun made before Parker had beavertails. This one had a correct beaver tail and the correct beavertail forearm lug on the barrel.
I also had to let go of the only CHE I've ever owned at the same time. It had been recolored with a torch but was still a great gun.
In previous years I had to part with some others that just broke my heart to sell. Among them was a T latch serial number 70 that is known to some on this board. I had acquired it from a Shotgun News ad by one of the (still) prominent classic gun dealers. I traded a Winchester model 42 and some cash for it. That was a really crudely designed gun, but it was an evolutionary step in the right direction for Parker. Then there was an early back action hammer gun with a three digit serial number, 139 I believe. That gun had several stock repairs but they were done well and it was a quite usable gun. I'll list some of the others and what particulars I can remember about them.

DHE 12 ga Trap gun with raised ventilated rib and high comb cheek piece.
VH 12 ga Try Gun with the original tools and measuring pieces in original leather pouch.
VH 12 ga with 32 inch barrels and the blondest original wood I've ever seen on a Parker.
GHE 16 ga that was a dove slaying wonder. When the man that sold it to me saw how good I hit with it he wouldn't leave me alone until I finally sold it back to him a few years later.
DH 12 ga very early damascus that I had sleeved. Wish I had not sleeved it, I know better now. That gun had the most beautiful dogs on it. I couldn't count how many birds flew right over my head while I was sitting and admiring the way the light refracted off the fine shading details in the dogs torsos. (OK, this happens to me with some of my other guns as well, I just can't help it!)
Parker SBT SC 12 ga 32in.
Trojan 12 ga first year production.
Parker Reproduction BHE 20 ga, match to my 12 ga. (should have sold the 12 instead!) I had ordered the full 4 guage set. Never got my 28 or 410.:crying:
Parker Reproduction DHE 28 ga 2 bbl set. 26in Q1/Q2, 28in mod/full (fore arms would shoot off in my hand, anyone else have that problem?)

Non Parker but worth mentioning.
LC Smith Specialty grade 20 ga with ejectors and beavertail.
Fox AE 20 ga (that hammered my middle finger everytime I shot it)
Ithaca NID 4e 10 ga magnum. (One of McIntoshes picks for 10 best shotguns)
Ithaca 4E 20 ga A little rough but restorable.
A couple of Darne guns. 12 and 20 ga. (R-11's)
Halifax (Darne type) 16 ga nicely engraved.
DM Lefever 12 ga boxlock (lightly engraved)
J.P. Sauer 28 ga 28", extractors
And numerous spanish, belgium, and german sxs'.

I've never sold a Parker because I wanted to, it was always due to unforseen expenses like wifes and kids and mortgages and such. But at least I still have the memories of those that got away. Bittersweet memories.

[Linn Matthews]

Welcome aboard!

[Rich Anderson]

I would need two more safes IF I had kept the ones that got away. I traded a GHE 20 2bbl set for a GHE 20 skeet gun that I sold to pay some bill:banghead:

Some of what I wish I had back, the GHE 20's, a DHE 16, GHE 16 skeet. Non Parker a Winchester M42 solid rib skeet and a M12 28ga solid rib skeet, M71 348, M70 358 NIB and a M70 Super Grade 7X57.

Unfortunately you just can't keep all of them:crying:

[todd allen]

Hard times hit me like the wave in the movie "The Perfect Storm". I sold off a lot of guns, but a couple that really hurt was my 1935 Parker trap gun that was was up-graded to an A-1 Special by Runge/Delgreco, and a sweet little Ithaca NID .410 upgraded and restored by George Flaim (sp) and Doug Turnbull.
The A-1 was bought by a gentleman from the PGCA, who most graciously offered it back to me when it came time to sell it. Unfortunately I could not afford it.
If/when I can ever mount a financial come-back, I would love to track that Parker down again.
BTW the trap gun was a 32" Vent Rib, single trigger, BTFE gun. I shot a few pigeon shoots with, back in the day, with pretty good effect!

[Bill Murphy]

I can't afford to buy any of them back, but I would buy any I have sold if I had the cash. The ones that bother me the most are the ones I could have afforded but didn't take advantage of. I won't try to list them here. You'll have to wait for the book.

[David Noble]

Bill, I'm waiting for that book! :)

[Chuck Bishop]

Back in the late 70's I traded a PH 12ga Parker with twist barrels plus a mint Superposed pigeon grade lightening trap gun at a gun show for a Westley Richards SBT. The Superposed would bloody my cheek after only a round or two. Found out while waiting for the gun to arrive it was not worth anything near what I thought. Called the dealer back up and of course his reply was "I've already sold the Superposed." I was young and stupid but I'm trying to learn from my mistakes.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

I can tell you about stupid, Years ago before I knew much about Parkers I got in trade a 20 ga CHE Do not remember the barrel length But am going to look the ser# up as I keep records of every gun that I have ever owned and see. Well I traded this Parker for 2 colt pistols, a viper and a short barrel nickel Python, which I still have but would love to have that little 20 CHE I get the see# and see if any one has it in our group Gary

[Larry Mason]

Mr. Murphy,
I'll pre-pay for my copy!

[Chris Travinski]

I can relate to Bill. I had a nice documented CHE pigeon gun with 32" barrels, straight stock, no safety. The stock dimensions were awesome, it felt better than any Parker I had before or have had since. I had it in my hands, even brought it home, but I got cold feet because the price was out of my comfort zone and sent it back.:crying:

[edgarspencer]

For obvious reason, this thread reminds me of the old saying "To Soon Old, Too Late Smart" I suspect there are more of us who choose not to bring up their decisions that leave regrets, but I'm not one of them. This has been a life-long hobby, and each of the former guns I was lucky to care for, and subsequently passed on has left me with both fond memories, and some regrets. I guess it's likely I've learned some lessons from those 'transactions' but mainly to buy what I can afford, and only when it's one I truly want, and not be fooled into thinking I want it because it makes others go Ooo and Ahh. Almost without exception, the ones I've parted with were because there was a greater need (like college tuitions) or something that really was better, and not just different. I'm sure it isn't just a coincidence that the ones I still have, have many associated good memories, such as the dogs and friends I have hunted with.

[Rich Anderson]

Edga I have some pain and regret over a certain 16ga 0 frame hammergun. Perhaps I was a bit hasty:rotf:

[edgarspencer]

Edga I have some pain and regret over a certain 16ga 0 frame hammergun. Perhaps I was a bit hasty:rotf:.
For the regret, may I suggest a gill of whisky. For the pain, take 2 Tylenol and call me in the morning if you're still feeling poorly.

[Rich Anderson]

I have had the wisky to ease the aches and pains of a day spent in pursuit of feathered game and to fortify the joins and vertebrae for a repeat performance tomorrow.

What was that phone number again Edgar???:rotf:

[edgarspencer]

Rich, I'm having the locks reworked at the moment, so let me get it back and shoot a few birds. Then we'll talk.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

They ain't nothing like home remedies to cure what ails you!

[David Noble]

For obvious reason, this thread reminds me of the old saying "To Soon Old, Too Late Smart" I suspect there are more of us who choose not to bring up their decisions that leave regrets, but I'm not one of them. This has been a life-long hobby, and each of the former guns I was lucky to care for, and subsequently passed on has left me with both fond memories, and some regrets. I guess it's likely I've learned some lessons from those 'transactions' but mainly to buy what I can afford, and only when it's one I truly want, and not be fooled into thinking I want it because it makes others go Ooo and Ahh. Almost without exception, the ones I've parted with were because there was a greater need (like college tuitions) or something that really was better, and not just different. I'm sure it isn't just a coincidence that the ones I still have, have many associated good memories, such as the dogs and friends I have hunted with.

Edgar, truly the words of an experienced and wise man. Your post made me feel almost foolish for talking about having to sell my guns to meet other needs. Of course I always put my family first and never hesitated to pass a cherished gun along when there was a greater need. The T latch and the Try Gun were just "Ooo and Ahh" guns that made for great show and were by far the most rare items in my collection but were of no use to me otherwise.
The B and C grades were important to me because they were the highest graded guns in my collection, but I am so thankful that they were there to help my family through a tough time.
It was truly a pleasure to sell my GHE 16 back to the man I bought it from. He was twenty years my senior and my personal Parker mentor. We hunted together and traded guns on many occaisions. Some here may have known him as he was a life long Parker collector. He was also a not so famous author of some very famous country western songs. His name was Lawton Williams, and he was the kind of friend that cannot be easily replaced.
Lawton let me trade him out of that GHE because he liked me and it was the highest graded gun that he had that he knew I could afford at the time. I saw the proud look of a father in his eyes when he passed that gun into my hands. I can only hope that he knew how proud and honored I was to pass it back to him years later. This hobby truly is about the people you meet and times you get to share while hunting, shooing or trading with them.
I, like you, have held on to the guns that I use and though they are not necessarily all graded or high condition guns, they are priceless to me because of the fond memories of times spent hunting and shooting with my boys and friends. I would not be embarrased to display the least of my guns next to anyones A-1 or AA.
Edgar, thanks for reminding us why we collect.

[Rich Anderson]

I think we have all sold a gun or two to finance a car, help "the kids", make a house payment as for the most part they are a source of ready cash. I have always maintained the idea that my guns are a tax free part of my retirement I just hope I have the courage to sell them when the time comes.

On the other end of the spectrum there are guns that I would never sell for any reason. These include a Ruger MK1 22 pistol and a Browning (Belgium) 9mm Hi Power that for some reason my dad has. Then there is another Ruger MK1 .22 target pistol I bought to give to my brother and his Remington 1100 20ga and a Ruger M77 in .270. Joe had to leave us very early and while I have never shot the 1100 in over 30 years it isn't going anywhere. I used his 270 a couple of years ago in Wyoming and plink around some with the 22.

[Bill Murphy]

Sell a gun to finance a car?? Is that why I'm still driving my '74 Ford? I like my guns much better than any new car. Well, maybe a nice little AC would turn my head.

[Jim Thynne]

I looked for years for a A1 Special that I could afford. I finally bought a reasonably priced one at a small auction House in Los Angeles. It was a time when the money was a greater need than the Parker. I have regretted that sale to this day

[Phil Yearout]

Kinda regret selling my late FIL's Fox Model B but my MIL needed the money more than I needed the gun. Have only ever sold a couple of others and I bought 'em to sell, so no. Now, guitars and banjos...:crying:

[Dave Noreen]

Probably my worst "got away" was at the Syracuse show a good 25 years ago. I was examining a C-Grade Three-Barrel Gun Co. single barrel trap gun. While pondering it I set it back in the rack. An arm reached by me, grabbed the C-grade and never put it back.

103096

I've never seen another.

[Chuck Bishop]

Dave, you may not remember but I told you years ago that I had a C grade Three Barrel Gun Co gun. It was falling apart. I contacted Frank Conley about it and he asked me to send it to him which I did. He wanted it to photograph in case he revised his book. He recommended it be sent to Maurice Mudges in up state NY for repair. I got the gun back about 1 year later. I donated the gun to the ATA museum. It's still there. Mike Franzen and John Davis saw it this year.
Now I wish I had never donated it!!!

[Bill Murphy]

Herb Parsons' Model 12. Now there's a shotgun I would never sell. 1 gun I let slip through my fingers was the CHE #1 frame vent rib 28" bird gun that Josh has now. It was once General Billy Mitchell's gun and I made a deal for it for $1000 and the seller welshed on the sale. My biggest disappointments were cars and motorcycles I let go for no money. A family '55 Porche Speedster that had never spent a night outdoors, my dad's '58 Corvette, two Suburbans and a Blazer that turned into cult cars, my '74 Country Squire 460, another cult vehicle, and my Harley Low Rider that Linda made me sell to save my life.

[Randy Davis]

Dave, you may not remember but I told you years ago that I had a C grade Three Barrel Gun Co gun. It was falling apart. I contacted Frank Conley about it and he asked me to send it to him which I did. He wanted it to photograph in case he revised his book. He recommended it be sent to Maurice Mudges in up state NY for repair. I got the gun back about 1 year later. I donated the gun to the ATA museum. It's still there. Mike Franzen and John Davis saw it this year.
Now I wish I had never donated it!!!


Chuck, Mr. Mudges did a wonderful job on the restoration of your C grade.
Very nice donation to the HOF...
1908 Catalog List price for Grade C... $80

RD

[Chuck Bishop]

Randy, I'll send you a PM tomorrow.