Annie Oakley / Buffalo Bill Historical Center Reproduction
 

I came across a Parker Reproduction DHE 20ga (Straight grip, Single Trigger 26" w/ BT forend) that has a Buffalo engraved on the barrel followed by "Buffalo Bill Historical Center", which is followed by Annie Oakley #50 of 100. There is also an engraved picture of "Annie Oakley" on the trigger guard. Has anyone come across one of these commemorative editions? Can you enlighten me as to rarity or value? Thanks -

Cool, I've never seen or heard of that one. Would like to see pics if possible!

Personally, I have been unaware of this edition of Parker Reproductions, so I did a Google search and came up with another that had been listed for sale. In terms of rarity, I guess one can take the number produced at face value -- that being 100, so that's quite scarce. In terms of value, IMHO you would have to find the right buyer to offer more than the current market value for 20-ga. Repros in the same configuration and condition.

Here are the distinguishing characteristics of this special edition that Ray mentioned in his post above:

What is the significance of 1B of 100 ?





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I took it as "18".

Certainly appears to be a "B" rather than an "8" - and does seem quite odd...

I agree it does appear to be 1B of 100 rather than 18 of 100, however; the Gun Auction listing identifies the gun as 18 of 100.
http://www.gunauction.com/buy/14233495

Having said this, we did discuss a matched pair marked A and B here:
http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=18671

The engraver has quite the imagination if that figure is intended to be an eight (8).
I did some searches on the history and evolution of the Arabic numerals and nowhere did an 8 look anything like a B.

Just one guy's personal stylization employed there.






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Ray
I would pay hardly any more than a normal non-commemorative Repro IF IT MEANS SOMETHING TO YOU. There were a few commemorative runs made. I just picked up a set of 28 gauge barrels that once went to a National Shooting Sports Fraternity commemorative gun.

Here's 3 pictures of the gun

Maybe it is a "B" after all.

See this post https://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=37635

The controversial interpretation of the "B" vs. the "8" gives rise to Jimi Hendrix' "If Six were Nine" playing in the background. "Limited Editions" take on an ethereal concept if the number of 'editions' is more than 4 IMHO. We know where 3 of the Parker Invincibles are and some of us think we know where the 4th one is, but beyond that I think I hear Joy Behar braying in the background, "SO WHAT!? WHO CARES!!??

I saw one listed on a dealer website that I believe was numbered 10 of 100, and there was no ambiguity in the engraving. Especially that this was the first of the series, I would guess that this was one of a set as surmised. But as stated above "who cares?" Most of these specials suffer from the same problem. They often cut corners to hit a price point and try to sell rarity. I think the barrel engraving related to the theme is pretty hokey looking.