An Icelander's Parker Shotgun
 

According to the factory letter this gun was purchased by Gestur Gudmundson of Islandic (sic) River by way of Selkirk, Manitoba in 1912, with special request to "target buckshot close".

Original price $75.00.

After a little Googling, turns out Gestur (1876-1921) was one of the first Icelanders to emigrate to North America in 1879. And I found this note...

"Gestur became a skilled fisherman and hunter. Among other things, he was noted for constructing ingenious log bear traps."

So perhaps this was his buckshot bear gun? A neat piece of history.

1907 Parker DH Grade 3

12ga 30" Damascus barrels with extractors. Average bores. Choked M/M.

#2 Frame. 4 weight barrels. 2 3/4" Chambers.

Tight on face. Case colors in protected areas.

Measurements: 14 1/4 x 2 7/8 Weight: 8lb 2oz.

Unfortunately she has been restocked. Not sure I want to sell it anymore, so I posted here for others to see.

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/a...pspqsl0rql.jpg

Its a nice looking gun with some great history.

The stock job isn't that bad, but the checkering is unfortunate. I am glad you said 2 frame, I could have sworn that the barrel lung had a 3 on it when I first looked at your other pics. It has some really nice engraving on it.

I call no drop points on a D to be pretty bad.

For originality yeah, but its still a nice looking stock.

It's a period restocking for practical use. Not made to satisfy future collectors. I would never replace it. I think it's unique and fits a gun with an interesting history.

Beautiful gun, with an interesting history.

Interesting update on this gun. The great-grandson of the original owner (Gestur Gudmundson) found this thread while doing family history research. He contacted me and the gun is now on its way back home to be re-united with the family in Manitoba. None of this would have been possible without the Parker factory letter.

Wow, this sounds like it has the makings of a very interesting Parker Pages story!

That is cool and bravo to you for returning it to the family.

I have a DH live bird gun with no drop points and it's the original stock. The features are flat rib, straight grip, #2 frame 32 inch barrels choked .045 in both tubes.

I don't think the great grandson of the original owner will care much about the replacement stock.






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Here is a rare occasion where I agree with something Dean says.

Attachment 56989

Agreed. Slam-dunk there!!