D Grade Floor Plate Engraving
 

In looking at and owning a few D grades I am wondering if anyone can shed some light on the engraving on the floor plates. I have seen pheasant, ducks and what look like partridge. Is there any rhyme or reason to it? Maybe certain manufacture dates, the engravers choice or customer request? Not sure the date theory will apply as I have seen two guns both from the same year with different engraving. Any responses would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

don't forget the dogs

I believe those are Turnips.

I have six Ds of varying bores, and no two are alike. I have a 30" 12 and a 28" 20 that are only a few digits apart, and are not the same. One has four "pheasants", one walking, 3 flying; and the other two walking and two flying, though one of the walkers clearly looks like he intends to fly soon.

I think it has more to do with the engraver and what was his 'fancy' when engraving a particular gun. "Hmm... shall I do pheasants today, or sharptails (just so people will argue over them someday) or maybe prarie chickens? I know, I'll engrave very fat-looking ducks that don't really look like ducks at all... more like turnips with wings!"

As long as they stayed within the parameters for the grade, e.g., the number of birds on the floor plate - a variation from that theme would likely have been a special order.


I think these are turnips, don't you?

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Within the limits of the grade or a special order, I'd bet it was some what up to the engraver. Imagine engraving the same critters, day after day, week after week. Gawd, it would play on your mind and drive you nuts. Getting to change subjects now and then, would keep a person fresh and sharp.

Most of the grade 3 hammerless Parkers had four birds on the floor plate, with the exception of the very earliest which may have had a dog or two, and a specially ordered engraving theme... but now it's getting up close to a grade 4...





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No, But I think these are

That top one looks like a roasted turkey with outriggers:rotf:






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These two are separated by more than 30 years, but both share the technique of using the twelve point frame around the birds

Thanks for the great answers, pictures and a good laugh!

Love those turnips on your gun Dean. Personally I like them better than a good duck. Was one engraver responsible for them or is that unknown?

Dean, those "Turnips" might actually be ancient spacecraft, that came to Earth to build the Pyramids.

The turnip motif was undoubtedly engraved by a vegetarian maybe even a vegan:rotf:

What I don't understand is the big game animals on grade 4 and up. An Elk no matter how well done is out of place on a shotgun. I have never seen birds engraved on the floor plate of a rifle:nono:

Good thing the engraver is passed or he might put a boot in your... for calling him that. I like the elk gives Parker that mystique, and you can shoot elk with elk shot. :) Never been a fan of engraving on a bolt gun.

I really can't say Calvin. I don't think I have ever seen a really good or lifelike representation of a duck on a Grade 3 or Grade 2 Parker hammerless gun. So I guess you could say that all of them had their own idea of what a duck looks like and did the best that they could. I love the turnips on my DHE 16 too. They represent a classic time in Parker Bros. history and the engraver's art of the day.






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I once had a D grade with 3 different dogs on it,no birds.A pointer on the right,a setter on the left,and a spaniel on the floorplate.I just did not realize how rare it was at the time.I sold it without taking photos.

this is the floorplate of a new dhe 28ga oo frame gun we had. Bas relief engraved dog scenes all three panels. gun was stored in what appeared to be cosmolene. The scenes were very well done and had the dogs in various upland scenes.

The 3 dog Ds were made prior to 1900 I believe. I have owned 3of them ranging in year of make from 1889 to 1899. Never seen one posted made after 1900 I don't think.

This gun was ordered in 1917 and given as a gift for the Texas State amateur golf Tournament. Traded in on an A1 special 28ga and repurchased by the recipient where it remained basically unfired. Gun had incredible wood for a "D"
Has an interesting history and was special ordered with the dogs.

We know that Chuck and Traci didn't order that gun. The setters outnumber the lone pointer.

I'm not exactly sure what these four are on my D from 1895, but I like them though. I would appreciate it if y'all could tell me what the consensus is. It looks as if one of them is lifting off.

https://i.imgur.com/xGGoPHd.jpg

Maybe prairie chickens. I like them as well. Excellent picture.

Murph know us all too well --- only setter we own is a dwarf red setter "Cricket" . Have to hunt him in the short stuff.

To each his own but I think this is classy. The rifle is a custom job built on a Mauser action in 275 Rigby.

More Turnips or some other type of flying vegetable. A DH 32 inch safety less straight grip 12. The top one almost resembles a goose.

please show all Mr. COB aka Uncle Rich

Ok Chuck. This gun has managed to retain a lot of original color. It had a Pachmayr pad that I replaced with a Silvers. A clays killer for sure, DH 32inch no safety flat rib 12 on a #2 frame.

WHAT A GREAT GUN RICH

Please show us the flat rib Uncle Rich.:bigbye:

Chuck, the dogs in your profile picture, well very nice. The two P 's Parkers and Pointers. I like all other dogs as well!

That is a tasteful job on that rifle Rich I like it. The case makes a difference.

Eggplants Rich.





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I hope not:eek: I don't like eggplant:nono:
I'm a little gimped up and am dying to get out and break some clays with it.

[QUOTE=Rich Anderson;213516]I hope not:eek: I don't like eggplant:nono:

What's not to like about eggplant parmesan?:eek:

[QUOTE=Daryl Corona;213517]Everything............:eek:
Ok the cheese and sauce is great just drop the eggplant !

[QUOTE=Daryl Corona;213517]EVERYTHING!:nono:

OK fine. Just more for me. I guess there are not any good Italian eateries in the upper midwest.:whistle:

Still waiting for pictures of that raised rib Uncle Rich.

Yes there are:

Roma Cafe - Detroit's Eastern Market

I've gotten marriage proposals from my sublime eggplant parmigiana. Don't tell the pretty wife.