Parker question
 

I was talking to a friend today about Parkers. I believe I remember reading about a high grade Parker with great wood, nice finish with no engraving. Does anyone remember a gun like this or am I mistaken. Thanks for any information.

I believe one sold at auction in the last year or so. An AHE if I recall.

There is a known BHE that matches your description as well.





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I know of a BH or BHE 32"er that has been on team Parker for the challenge event several times over the years.
The gun is shot very well by its owner. It is a neat gun and owned by a very fine gentleman.

Sounds like a few were ordered this way.

John, That's probably the one I referenced... owned by Mr. C ?





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There exists an unengraved CH Acme steel gun and an unengraved Whitworth barreled AAH, both safe in the same PGCA member's collection. The BH unengraved gun is a 31", the other two are 30".

I have seen an unengraved DH.

Never say never in the Parker world ! I have a CH that was ordered without checkering on the forend.

Bill's AAHE is the one I was thinking about.

what would be the point in paying for a high grade gun with no engraving? If you wanted the nicer wood and checkering it could (I presume) be ordered on a std VH/VHE.

It is an AAH, not an AAHE, and I have no idea why someone would order such a gun, but the fact is that he did. Right there in the order, "no engraving". I imagine the guy who could explain the reason has been dead for over a hundred years.

Things like this make you wonder ! But it sure is a beauty Bill , Congrats again !

Personally I can see the appeal.

On a hammergun you would get the carved bolsters (D grade and higher). On a hammerless B grade or higher you would get the lines/ rings that outline the bolsters.

IMO would make for a very clean action but with all the lines of a high grade gun. Not saying I would order one that way but I can see the appeal.

Just goes to show Parker would do just about what ever the customer wanted.

Now the question would be did Parker give a discount on the original price of these guns do to the lack of engraving? (less man hours/ etc)

Does anyone know this?

Interesting. We have a member that has a VH that was ordered with C Grade wood. A wonderful gun. Never say never......

That would seem to make more sense to me if you wanted a “clean” look, order a VH with a upgraded stock and even upgraded barrels if you wanted..

The idea was that the barrel steel quality was better as the grade went up. You got a “better gun” because the barrels were “better”. Parker woild give a doscount for no engraving. Maybe $25.00 from some examples i have seen. Which was the cost of a Trojan when it was introduced. So it was a significant amount of money at the time. So, the customer got a “better” gun and saved some money to help out with soending the extra money on the barrels. Other than that, who knows the reason.

Or he may have intended to have it engraved himself. Engraving is a very personal choice, some prefer specific types.

William

The "adjustment" for no engraving on the CH was $37.50, or 25% of the list price. The "adjustment" for no engraving on the AAH was a very minimal $125.00. I am as confused as the rest of you.















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I doubt that was the case. As the guns would have left the factory case hardened, leaving engraving after the fact very difficult.

Perhaps the purchaser wanted a gun with the fit and internal finish on the parts of the higher grade. Years ago 'Babe' showed some sets of internal parts with the polish for different Quality guns -- as I recall parts for a 7 or 8, parts for a 5 or 6 and parts for a 4.

Having a best quality grade gun with out any engraving isn't new or confined to Parkers. Purdey has had what they call the funeral model for a long time. IIRC it's a blued receiver with no engraving. Not my thing especially but for every Jack there is a Jill...somewhere.

Lots of very high grade Rizzini's, Perazzi's etc that have stunning wood, with almost no engraving. One fellow I shoot with has a VERY nice Rizzini 28, that he ordered with exhibition grade wood, and NO checkering! Not my cup of tea....but again, I didn't pay for or do I shoot the gun!

The Double Gun Journal a few years ago featured a WW Greener that was a high grade and had no engraving. It is one of the most elegant shotguns I’ve ever seen.

i don't want to get off topic but, there are some A1 Parker repros with no engraving. Some people must have ordered them in the white and just finished with a a case color. Maybe they didn't like the standard factory engraving or didn't want to pay for engraving.

Ken

I bought the gun today and hope to have an article ready for the cut off date of January 15 for the Parker Pages if I can get some more information from the seller. I am told it is a 3 generation Parker. Also sent in the form for a letter.

Merry Christmas,
Phil