For a man with deep pockets who bought an AAHE new, its not hard to imagine that he would NOT handle it like we would today. Back then, its just a nice looking tool but a tool to be used. I have seen some "WELL USED" A1S through BH grades that looked like they were put through the same workout as many VH grades have experienced. Worn engraving, no case left, dinged and banged wood has been seen even on high grade Parker's; that isn't hard to find.

How many A1S or AAHE Parker's have you seen that are untouched? I'm not sure I have seen one yet?

It is what it is.

Max Fleischmann's 20 ga. A-1 Special 2-bbl. set represented the most field-used A-1 I have ever seen and examined - truly a hunting man's Parker. Those of us who were fortunate enough to have examined it before it went to the "beauty spa" for a complete makeover can never forget it.

Agreed Kevin... and the makeover sure cost a lot more than expected when it came time to auction it....:eek:






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Would anyone happen to have pictures that they would care to post , before and after would be great for the rest of us to get a look at an honest A1 !

I once examined an AAHE that was so badly rusted and pitted on the exterrior that most people would have considered it to be worth not much more than a parts gun. The complete restoration was put into the able hands of Dan Cullity. After his work was finished it was nearly impossible to to find a flaw that would indicate it had been entirely restored and re-engraved perfectly. I did find one flaw and I can say that the subject AAHE of this thread is not that gun.






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One of the famous Edwin L. Hedderly, Editor of Western Field magazine, A1 Specials was pictured on the cover of the September 1966 issue of Guns & Ammo in its well used condition --

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...solnak7o4.jpeg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...saao0a29b.jpeg

The gun in its "freshened" condition is shown in color in Larry Baer's 1974 book on page 23 and in black & white his 1976 book on pages 76 and 77. IMHO it lost much of its charm.

Wow! I'll say it's "well used" - the checkering is almost entirely gone!






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Super fine checkering is not too hard to wear down. In comparison to lower grades.

Very True. The finer the count, the shallower the cut. There may be something to say that more surface area comes in contact with your grip, but still, it comes down to the depth of the groove.

IMHO, Worn checkering still beats the fancy schmancy guns with laser cut checkering from a well know American gun maker.

I have a picture in my collection of Edwin Hedderly holding the big 16. As I recall, he is about knee deep in a duck marsh in that picture. He was a serious hunter. Kevin will probably agree with me when I say that the Max Fleishmann gun is one of the most hideous refinishes I have ever seen.