When hunting birds (i.e. bobwhite quail) on horseback, one commonly keeps the gun (classicly a 20 or 16 gauge double) in a scabbard unloaded. When the setters and/or pointers locate a bird or covey, one walks the horse up to the covey and dismounts. You then remove your gun and walk towards the dogs. When in position you take 2 shells from you pocket and slip them in the gun. The dog handler says "Ready" and the gun(s) say "Yes" and he proceeds to flush the birds. A safety is as superfluous in this scenario as it is on score in the pigeon ring.

Were I ordering a purpose built Parker for bird hunting, I would order an 0 frame straight grip CHE 28" Bernard, 2 1/2" chambered 20 gauge, double trigger without a safety weighing < 6 lbs choked right .005 and left.015. For the pigeon ring, a 1 1/2 frame 32" Whitworth, 2 3/4" chambered AAHE straight grip, single selective trigger without a safety, weighing 7 1/2 lbs choked left .020 and right .035...

I found one of those no safety guns last summer; 20 ga AHE with 30" Acme steel barrels on a #1 frame....and yes someone who didn't know what they were doing restocked it. The project is beginning with the search for correctly figured wood.

That is an interesting gun. What kind of trigger is that. Also it has the reinforced forearm lug. Very cool.
Thanks for sharing.

I don't know what kind of trigger it is, but I hope someone does. I think it will probably go in the restoration.

I don't know that I would be losing the trigger in the restoration, especially if it works. It looks like a fine piece of work. What is the provenance of your gun? I assume you requested a PGCA letter.

Yes, the trigger works fine. So maybe I'll reconsider that statement.

The gun was ordered in 1919 by a guy that owned Fresno Brewing Co and coincidentally sold it that year. Looks like he bought himself a fine shotgun with the proceeds from the sale. I bought it from the grandson of the person that befriended the former brewery owner. It seems they shared company at a duck club in the central valley grasslands where they were both members. The gun was a straight grip and it will be once again after the work is done.

Nice gun Larry!

Ray,
I have always been intrigued by the safetyless guns too, are you collecting info for a Parker Pages article? I would love to hear about what you find out. They aren't too uncommon, but the few I have handled seem to be made with alot of attention to detail. Just picked up a neat DHE live bird or trap gun. I would love to hear it's story.

Thanks,
Chris

I've heard of those long-barreled 20 gauge California duck guns. I'm in agreement with Bill Murphy, leave the trigger as is.

Larry, What frame size is that great gun?

I'll bet it has 3" chambers too.