Grandaddy's 20 Guage

[Stephen Infantino]

This was given to my Grandfather by his Grandfather - that I know but the initials on the gun are still a mystery. I am hoping to find out more and solve that mystery through the forum and/or requesting a letter. I also appreciate history and these guns and look forward to learning more.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=389&pictureid=4308

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=389&pictureid=4307

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=389&pictureid=4309

[Rick Losey]

from his album

(I'm dropping the pics as he adds them) no intention of diverting attention from a great first post

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=389&pictureid=4306

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=389&pictureid=4305


a letter will get you the most information -

[John Dunkle]

Hi Stephen!

WOW - I only approved your registration to this forum a few minutes ago, and you've already uploaded pics to your new album..!! - Welcome!!!

Anyway - if you can post a serial number or grade or...?? It would be excellent, along side of the pics you've already posted (EDIT - you are still uploading pics, so my questions might become mute as the pics could give the serial # and peek at the grade ;) ).. Many of us have TPS and the serialization book, which might be a start on your research? A PGCA Letter would be invaluable too...

Anyway - welcome again - and you've made an awesome first post on the PGCA Forum! I can only hope other new folks take a lead from your first post ;)

My Best Always,

John

[Rick Losey]

unfortunately that serial number is not in the booK

sorry missed the last shot when I posted his pics the first time



really great looking family piece

[Ray Masciarella]

Wow

[Jay Gardner]

Straight grip, 20 ga, D-grade. Oh, my. Barrel length? Butt treatment?

[Stephen Infantino]

It's the rubber butt. Not sure about barrel length but will find out and post it. Thank you for all the posts!

[Stephen Infantino]

Why were parkers after 155k not in the book?

[Eldon Goddard]

What a beautiful gun and 62 numbers from my parker that is cool.

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

Stephan: that is a nice gift to be handed down.Tells us about grandfather. Thomas

[Bill Murphy]

This gun would have been entered in a stock book that is now missing or the entry illegible. However, this particular gun has available research material for a PGCA letter, indicating that the order book with this gun entered is available to our researcher. The order book entry is much more interesting than the stock book entry, because it may mention the name of the original owner. The stock book only lists the specifications of the gun. Order a letter.

[charlie cleveland]

BILL S REALLY GIVING YOU SOME GOOD INFO..that sure is a super nice gun...its really been took care of your a lucky man to have such a nice parker that s got lots of family history... charlie

[Stephen Infantino]

Thank you Bill and everyone for the helpful posts. Does the letter include photo copies of the original documents by any chance? That would be great to have as well.

[Chuck Bishop]

Sorry, against the PGCA rules. This is copied from the Research Page link found on the home page.

"Copies of the stock and order book entries will not be included with the letter report."

[Stephen Infantino]

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=389&pictureid=4312

[Stephen Infantino]

The barrel is 26"

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=389&pictureid=4311

[Stephen Infantino]

I'm going to order the letter. Seems like a no brainier to me.

[Steve Huffman]

I am not knocking this gun in any way ! I would like to ask a question in a learning way. Are the colors correct on this gun ?

[edgarspencer]

For being one hundred and one years old, your Great Great Grandfather's gun looks to be in amazing, unmolested original condition. Some quick mental math says each of you had a son at 25 years of age. I hope you have a son and pass it on. I seriously doubt there are many Parkers, in any condition, that have been cared for by 6 generations.

[Stephen Infantino]

Here's a photo of the whole gun...

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=389&pictureid=4314

[Dean Romig]

Are the colors correct on this gun ?


In my opinion, the case color is quite correct and obviously original.

[Chuck Bishop]

In my opinion the gun's case colors, blue, and stock finish are not original. It's only my opinion from the limited pictures.

Overall, the gun looks very nice.

[Dean Romig]

In my opinion, the case color is quite correct and obviously original.


Thanks Chuck! I made that statement after only having looked at the color of the water table. After you gave your opinion I went back and started at page 1 and looked at all of the pictures and I now agree with your statement. The colors are very good but the condition of the screws is a dead giveaway as well as what little we can see of the checkering. In no way am I disparaging the gun - it is a real sweetie!!

[Stephen Infantino]

If you could, please let me know what specific photos I can take and post that would help determine if anything was refurbished.

[Steve Huffman]

You Had good pictures but they are gone . A picture on the internet is no way as good as having the gun in a expericenced persons hands to help make thoes decisons . Refurbished or not you have a dandy gun!

[Leighton Stallones]

Why or where or the pictures. Do not see any.

[Stephen Infantino]

I can see them. Do I need to re-post them?

[John Dunkle]

Hi Stephen!

No you don't..

They were - and still are - on the first page of this thread...

My best to you!

John

[Bill Zachow]

I have looked at every page of this thread, up, down and sideways --there ain't no pictures!!! John D., how can I find them? Thanks

[John Dunkle]

If you click on the link below - you see no pictures?

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showpost.php?p=92018&postcount=1

John

[Chuck Bishop]

John,

Not only doesn't your link show pictures, it only shows the first post by Stephen on 1/7. No other posts are shown.

It looks like Rick Losey posted pictures from Stephens album but I don't see Stephens album either. I sure am glad I don't have to fix these problems

[John Dunkle]

The link I gave only shows the first post by Stephen on 1/7. No other posts are shown...

;)

Hang on - I think I know the issue - my guess is that Stephen made his album "private"...

Want to bet??? :)

BRB...

John

[John Dunkle]

I was right... :D Try now....

John

[Stephen Infantino]

I did make my album private.

[Chuck Bishop]

John, your a genius:bowdown:

[John Dunkle]

OK - for albums....

If you make it "private" only your friends can see the pics (well, me too - BUT, you are posting on my servers about three feet from my desk, so I don't count ;) )...

"Public" means that ONLY folks registered to the PGCA Forum can see the entire album (just this community).. For folks not registered here - they can't see any Albums - public or private - and can only see the pics you choose to post in this thread as an embedded pic...

In other words - lets say you had a PIC you only wanted folks registered to the forum to see? Just include it in your album - and don't embed it into your post(s)...

Best to ya'..!

John

[Dean Romig]

John, your a genius:bowdown:


I knew we kept him around for something :rolleyes:

[edgarspencer]

The pictures never 'disappeared' for me, and I keep looking at them. I know both Dean and Chuck are far more expert than I, but if they aren't original, which is likely being 100+ years old, I'd sure like to know who did them and when. They are far and away the best I've seen, and as close as it gets to one of mine that I know to be original. The trigger plate screw alignment isn't a smoking gun for a redo, but they do look darker than they should; as though they might have been nitre blued.

[Dave Suponski]

I have seen screws back out from normal use. They need to be checked from time to time.

[Stephen Infantino]

Im just curious... is anyone able to see the photos now? I can see them.

[Steve Huffman]

Yes I see them . Still a nice gun and the toes aint bad either !

[Bill Zachow]

Thanks, John. Now I can see them.

[Stephen Infantino]

Can anyone tell me if the "initial plate" on the bottom side of the butt is typically factory original or after-market?

[edgarspencer]

Original

[Thomas Garver]

Stephen, I have aDHE in 12 ga that has initials engraved on the stock chevron. Since I purchased it several years ago I don't know the original owner. Could anyone tell us if this was done at the factory for special orders.

[Chuck Bishop]

Yes it was, it would be noted in the Order Book

[Stephen Infantino]

I don't see my photos anymore. I don't remember what happened but I will try to get them back up.

In any event there's more I need help with if anyone is willing!

This shotgun was given to my grandfather by his grandfather and my grandfather was told by his grandfather that this gun originally belonged to immediate family of W.F. (Buffalo Bill) Cody.

It has the initials "MDC" plated on the stock. I recently researched the Cody family and noticed that May Cody Decker was Buffalo Bills sister and took care of him during his last days. They were very close.

I also researched descendants and found that there were, at the time, and are still a number of Cody descendants that lived and vacationed around where my great-great grandfather lived (family reunions were held in the same town).

I then requested authentication for the gun and on the letter it indicated it was "for a lady - short top - long style" and was ordered from Abercrombie and Fitch in NYC. As you may know, Buffalo Bill frequented NYC and had the wild west show there.

Something tells me this gun was bought by Buffalo Bill for his sister and later on ended up belong to my great-great grandfather through descendants of Cody but that's just speculation. Does anyone have any suggestions as to firming up the provenance?

...I am not looking to increase its value (the gun is not and won't be for sale) although I know the value would likely increase if my speculation becomes fact. I appreciate history and simply hope to try to find out more and I'm sure there are some gun and history buffs that would like to know as well. Thank you!

[Bill Murphy]

Have you checked with Bob Beach for a search of the Abercrombie and Fitch records? What is the serial number of this gun?

[Chuck Bishop]

Give the S/N. I have G&H's database on Parkers

[Stephen Infantino]

158916

[Bill Murphy]

Doesn't show up in the Abercrombie and Fitch list. Order a PGCA letter.

[Stephen Infantino]

I did order the PGCA letter and that's what referenced the request for the gun to be built to fit a lady. There were no references to any names.

[Stephen Infantino]

What is G&Hs database?

[Dean Romig]

Griffin & Howe. Bob Beach is the keeper of the G&H records and produces one heck of a great research letter.

[Chuck Bishop]

Griffin & Howe has the records of sale from Abercrombie & Fitch and Von Lengerke & Detmold. Parker sold many guns to those sporting goods dealers. I have G&H's database on Parker's they have records on. I check their db on every letter I do. If I get a hit, I advise you to contact Bob Beach at G&H.

[George Lander]

I can't see the pictures. What am I doing wrong?

Best Regards, George

[Rick Losey]

I can't see the pictures. What am I doing wrong?

Best Regards, George

George - they were in an album but i do not see that album in the list any longer