Money Well Spent
 

This morning at 7:35 the FedEX truck stopped at my driveway. The driver stuck his head out and hollered, "78?" I hollered back "Yup!" and the package was handed to me.

Once back inside I carefully but anxiously opened it up to find a fabulous Parker twenty-gauge DH with 28" Damascus barrels. My very special little gun had finally come back to me after several months in Connecticut for a bit of a facelift.

I bought this one from Mr. Rodney Walker maybe four or five years ago and almost regretted the purchase because of its absolutely grungy condition... to say nothing of the stock having been cut off at the skeleton buttplate and a 1.5" hunk of stock from some other gun screwed on.
So it sat in my safe until last summer when I made the decision to invest a bit of cash into it to see what was under all the grunge and horrible varnish (which completely disguised the French walnut beneath it).

The barrels still need to be sent out for a little bit more than just cosmetic reasons but at least now I have the inspiration to get it done very soon.

This Parker was originally ordered by Rear Admiral Thomas Perry who commanded the American Fleet in the Carribean during the period that the Panama Canal was being constructed. I have the letter that Mark Conrad sent me on this gun No. 147673
Adm. Perry lived in New York state and was an avid ruffed grouse and woodcock hunter and keeper of some fine bird dogs - even entering them in shows.


The smith who did the work tells me it has one of the prettiest pieces of French walnut he has ever seen. You be the judge...

Oh, and I am very pleased with the leather covered pad he installed. I chose to have that done for reasons of LOP.


.

Dean, just beautiful. That grade wood is usually seen on higher grade guns and was probably special ordered. Once all completed, you will have a very special gun. Congratulations, Jim

Some of the buyers remorse must be fading...wood is beautiful, can't wait to see it with barrels browned. I'll take a composite barrel gun over fluid steel every time all things being equal.

Full length shot.

LOP is 13 7/8"
DAC is 1 5/8"
DAH is 2 5/8"

Fit is just right with a hunting vest or fall jacket.



.

Very nice Dean. We shall see it soon.

Dean
That is a treasure!! I love the history of the gun and hope I get to see it one day.
David

I'll bring it to the Southern and hope to see you there David.

Research letter below.



.

After seeing that little dirty girl all these years I never would have believed that all she needed was a little make-up....:) Congratulations Dean very nicely done.

Killer wood Deano. Very, very nice especially with the provenance. Who did the refinish?

Dean:
The gun is wonderful. But the provenance is as great! Please consider full research and a feature in Parker Pages for this one. Please PM me if I can be of assistance.