Andy, you have to understand that Peter Johnson was not a gun expert, or even a gun enthusiast. He was a college English instructor, maybe a professor. He owned a Parker shotgun or two. When Peter would visit our gun show tables, he had more questions than answers. His research was done by writing letters to a very few sources and patiently waiting for the replies. He did not drive a car and did not travel to do his research. He got some assistance from his students. I have absolutely no criticism of the writing style of my friend Peter Johnson. It is not a book to be used to establish fact, but it was the first book that got us to where we are today. Ed Muderlak and others have written about their experiences with Peter Johnson and shine some light on Peter's efforts. I believe our friend and member James Hall, also wrote of his conversations with Peter.

Bill, first of all, I did not mean to offend you or your friend Mr Johnson. I certainly did not know him, and assumed he was an enthusiast, collector and authority. That being said, we all appreciate certain writing styles and in my thirst for knowledge I found myself wanting meat and potatoes as quickly as I could (I'm paying the price now with TPS). I will certainly re read it and I'm looking at it on my shelf sandwiched between Shotgun Technicana and Spanish Best, so it does occupy a place in my humble library. I do appreciate your perspective on what he accomplished.

I agree with Todd. Johnson (which you have read), Baer, Muderlak and TPS. But definitely get the Parker Identification and Serialization book too. You will use that one A LOT.

Andy, when on my downtime from December through February, I read all of those books, including TPS. There were some chapters I skipped in TPS just because I really wasn't interested in reading about certain aspects of the family or items not shotgun related. That's OK, if I need to look something up I know where to find it. You'll figure out what you want to do as you plow through the many pages.

I REALLY enjoyed Ed Muderlak's books. I mean REALLY!! They are all good in their own way, but it was nice seeing some of the things he wrote about.

Ed Muderlak's books, Parker Guns, Shooting Flying and the American Experience, and Parker Guns, The Old Reliable are not to be missed. However, they may have reached collector status and be out of reach for casual readers. Ed may not have been one of my favorite people, but he was a great writer and historian. He is one of the people who made this website what it is today. Comments?

"Comments?"

I agree.

“Comments?”

Nancy is an angel.

Further DSR sayeth naught.



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I recommend Peter Johnson’s book because there I read prose written with passion that in my opinion is infectious. It lit the fire within for me and from that point on I felt a passion for these guns that I have for no other. I respect the other makers and the people who collect and shoot them but I have no passion for owning any of them. Only my Winchesters model 12 and 42 plus an old Stevens 20 gauge give any feeling and that’s more due to sentiment. However, I think I could feel something for a Wesley Richards if I found the right one.

1) Oh, My!!
2) WESTLEY Richards
3) Hold out for a droplock 28 gauge

The books mentioned are different from each other, and as a whole, make up a pretty darned good Parker library. The amount of information in TPS is unexcelled, but the other books provide lots to learn from and think about.

Don't forget to add in past issues of the Parker Pages -- a good source of information on many things not mentioned in any of the other books. The search function on the forum is also a great resource.

I especially like (but don't always agree with) Ed M.'s views. Lots of fodder for discussion in all of them.