That is one important gun to Parker collectors. It is the first we have "outed" with lettered sling swivels. Please post pictures of the sling swivels, front and back. Thanks for keeping us abreast of the happenings on this gun. Don't reply to any of the private messages offering to buy your gun. Wait until you get my PM before you reply to the others.

I looked up Mr. Byrnes in old teens era Interstate Association records and found that he did not shoot competitive trap from 1913 to 1922. However, you never know who you're going to find in these old records. In 1913, Augie Busch actually shot 200 Interstate Association targets and broke 127 of them. I wonder what kind of gun our Budweiser brewer shot? E. Anheuser also shot 200 targets that year and broke 184. A whole flock of shooters with St. Louis addresses shot 200 birds in 1913, so my assumption is that Augie sponsored a shoot for his employees and bought them all an Interstate Association membership. I would love to find a report on that shoot. How about it, Drew?

I think I remember another PGCA member saying he had a gun with swivels that lettered too.

I'm sure there are many, but have they written about them here or in the PP?

Once again Wally, congratulations on a wonderful Parker.

I'll work on Augie

The James W. Byrnes Belting & Hose Co. was in St. Louis, and "Col. James Byrnes" was active in Democratic (we're talkin' Mo. :rolleyes: ) politics in the 1920s.

Was this a PGCA member or somebody lurking here who was lying to you?

The gun is right as rain and something to be proud of. I hope we have higher standards with PGCA members.

I read about it here on the forum. I had to search around for it and found it in the "Parker PH assessment" thread.

Very nice gun Wally.

Robin you are correct. I have posted pics of this 20 gage that also letters with sling swivels. The first pic is shown on page one from the original posting. The screw that attaches the swivel would normally be screwed in completly and not visable from this angle.

Larry, can you post a picture of the letter? Apparently, early factory swivel guns have the European type mounting and swivel on the front, but, oddly, the receptacle for hooks on the rear. My DHE with swivels, which look factory to me but are too late for an order book entry, have European style swivels front and back. I can't figure out why the other two don't have either hook receptacles or European swivels on both ends.