Unusual A grade
 

There is a very unusual A grade 12 just listed on gunbroker.It is item 643341337.It is a pigeon gun with 30" Whitworth barrels,straight stock,and no engraving.The gun is listed in the Parker Story and matches the configuration. The current bid is $2025 with 6 days left.A real oddball.It will be interesting to see what it sells for.

Well, that changed in a hurry, it's now $3625.

It should bring a high price.It is a rare gun.I don't understand ordering an A grade and not having it engraved.That to me is one of the main reasons to get a higher grade gun.

Yes very odd, I wonder if the original sales price would have been adjusted by Parker to reflect that.

My unengraved CH grade was credited 25% for no engraving and D grade wood. $37.50 to be exact.

Bill, do you know the story behind our friend's BH that also has no engraving? It's the one with the ( :nono: ) replacement wood.

Could these three have been ordered by the same guy?... all high grades - all without engraving - all pretty close to each other... That's a pretty eccentric MO

The ABC's of Parkers with no engraving!






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That's a great gun but the lack of engraving will greatly effect the value, IMHO.
Would anybody here buy that and then have it engraved? I wouldn't.
Will still bring a big price though, I'm sure.

I don't understand why someone would order a high grade gun with no engraving other than possibly nicer wood. If that were the case why not buy a VH/VHE then upgrade to stock?

Purdey made a gun with no engraving, it was called a Funeral gun, blued receiver no embellishment's. You just never know what's in the mind of a gun buyer:rotf:

S/N is 103557. Looks like Parker produced 4 grade 7s in a row. 557-560. Could these have been produced for their pro shooters?

Much finer finish and adjustment of the locks and the bolting, higher grade wood, nicer checkering, the high grade profiling of the receiver and the Whitworth barrels.

I've seen one and found records of other Ansley H. Fox doubles ordered with no engraving. One clearly specified "not even a mark."

Neat gun. And with some condition too. A good one for thise who collect and appreciate the odd ones that the factory made on request.

It is a very interesting gun in my opinion, it is a Grade 7 so a AAHE not a AHE.

Gun does not appear to have ejectors.

Even the rib extention is un-engraved.

Dean, the three guns you mention do not seem to have any connection.

Bill, do you have research data on the CH and the BH?





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The CH was sent to an Army officer in the wild frontier, the Dakotas. The BH was well into the "no order book" era. Absolutely no connection among the three.

Thanks Bill - I guess there were a few eccentrics in those days, just as there are today. There's just no accounting for some people's tastes.

Did anybody notice if the subject gun has the gold grip cap insert or the gold oval in the toe line?

So the level of wood, checkering, barrels, and frame sculpting make this gun a Grade 7... nothing else, because the internals do not differ from those of a VH but for a bit of polishing.

It's a very nice gun and a unique AA but to my taste it sure is missing something.





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Now Dean... dont you know that the type of steel is what makes the grade of the gun? At least that is how PB advertised it.

I would be curious if there was a discount for no engraving. I have seen that on a letter for a DH that had no engraving.

The engraving dept got a break on this one. Well, more like they got to move onto the next gun in line.

Another interesting feature on this one is it has a safety.

Most of the current myth & legend has it that Pigeon guns didn't have safeties. Now we see this one which is marked Pigeon Gun on the rib & it has a safety. I wonder if it's auto-setting?

I beleive all of the AAH geades were considered "pigeon guns", regardless of configuration. ??? Correct me if i am wrong.

Or any gun you that's ever shot at a pigeon.

No; there are many smallbore AAHs out there. Another caveat: not every gun built with high stock dimensions, tight bores, no safety and without ejectors can be automatically assumed to be a "pigeon gun." But the "never say never" axiom rules. Unless the Stock or Order Books specifically mentions pigeon or trap shooting (e.g,.percent pattern required with specific brand and/or size shot), it is just another long barreled tight choked gun. Absent documentation, I usually rely on "the test of the duck"; if it walks, swims, and flies like a duck, it is pretty safe to say it is at least a member of the Anseriformes.

Good point Kevin. Probably when first introduced the Grade 7 was a Pigeon Gun but that evolved.
I agree with Dean- there is something missing here.

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Since we don't know what the rib inscription reads, I can tell you that the price list for that time frame lists it as a A.A.H. Pigeon Gun and that's how I would write up the letter.

Chuck, it reads Parker Bros makers Meridan Conn Whitworth Steel

Check page 328 & 329 in the Parker Story---an AH ---grade 7 with Pigeon Gun engraved on the rib, with a safty. I once owned this gun

Nice gun Allan, that is as good as they get!

:bowdown: This, while news to me, isn't remotely surprising. Mr. Swanson is more "Mr. Parker" than most give him credit. Very much a real 'New Englander'.
I have to agree with the general consensus, This gun is an anachronism of the first order. Whitworth barrels, Beaded bolsters, fully checkered ala AAH, and yet nothing in the way of the embellishments we love. Notice the fore end tip? It's almost as if there was a memo sent out that said "No Engraving Allowed" Reminds me of Fords made for the Mennonites; No Chrome.

The more I look at the gun the more I like it. It's like some wanted the best materials but something with a utilitarian look. You could almost hear someone say "Don't ruin this gun with any of your fancy engraving..." It will be interesting to see what it is sells for its already just over $8k. Thanks for sharing, that is a nice and different gun...

Second picture in the auction listing:

David, thanks for zooming in on that rib inscription. I'm right again :bowdown: :whistle::rotf:

I agree with Jay but I loved it the minute I seen it ,I ran across it a few hours after it was posted and ran for my Parker Books !!!!!!!!! Really a cool gun in my opinion but I always lean toward the unusual !

I'm the guy who listed it
 

If anyone needs more info let me know. The owners daughter is selling it to pay for her fathers Medical bills. It is her father's shotgun he has Alzheimer's. Thus we have no history on it. I have added a lot of photos and information since I first listed it. Please take a second look if you haven't.

When I made my original post. I could easily see the Pigeon Gun inscription on the top rib in the GB pictures.

Well good for you!

touchy touchy. That Edgarphobia getting to you? Have a glass of wine Chucky, it's only a few weeks till Hausmanns

My most sincere sympathy for the owner's daughter and the entire family.
My Dad suffered for almost ten years with that terrible affliction.






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looks like a 3 frame...manly.