G & H High Grade SN 6966
 

Several of us have noticed that an A grade early hammer Parker ( dollar grade equivalent) at Griffin and Howe has generated considerable discussion. I have been requested by a small group of collectors to respond.

1. The G & H gun is SN 6966. TPS p. 596 identifies this piece as one that was displayed at the Parker Brothers exhibit at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876 commemorating the one hundreth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The gun is identifed in the listing as Damascus, Grade 6, PG, 10, 28. The Centennial Exposition is the first known Parker show display and featured Parker's newest and best.

2. SN 6966 has flat and intricately engraved sideplates. The gun was inspected at G & H on July 18 by a significant collector who verifies that the sideplates are not stepped.

3. There are no Parkers with stepped sideplates that are known to Parker collectors.

I have attached a series of photos. The first is the composite photo of SN 6966 taken from the G & H website. Next is a Lefever with stepped sideplates. Following the Lefever is a series of high grade Parkers showing details of the sideplates.

Yours in Parkers,
Bruce Day

Thanks four that heads up, Bruce.

Bruce, can the "significant collector" who had the opportunity to inspect the subject gun verify or deny that the barrel steel is like that of your 3rd and 9th illustrations?

Photo 3 is Laminated Steel.
Photo 9 is Herringbone Laminated.
SN 6966 is recorded as Damascus steel. I don't know if it is correct. I suppose if a person had a serious interest in the gun, that would be something he would want to check. Damascus and Laminated were the usual cataloged barrels for these A grades. I haven't heard after the G&H visit.

Like the G+H gun this gun sure looks stepped.

Yes it does but it is a low grade lifter and likely to be only an illusion. But this is a Puglisi gun and a person could always call John and ask. If it is stepped, it is the first known.

Is that gun still at Puglisi's?

Dean, it doesn't matter. The other one is still at Griffin and Howe.

Dean, it doesn't matter. The other one is still at Griffin and Howe. That's some "optical illusion".

I believe it's on the sales rack i'll check. That gun crossed my mide as well, talking about steps.

yes on sales rack.