New (to me) Parker
 

Back in the Spring of 2019 I had my local gunsmith do some minor repair work on a 12 gauge DH which he took care of very nicely. When I picked the gun up he said he had a gun he wanted me to look at to see if I was interested in it. He went on to explain that 30+ years prior he bought the gun to be his primary grouse and woodcock gun. Eventually he found that the stock dimensions were not ideal for him and he decided to restock it to dimensions more suited to his shooting style. Sometime many years ago he got started on the project but life and business got in the way and the gun sat with the partially completed stock ever since.

The gun was a DHE 20 gauge with 28” Titanic barrels choked IC/Mod on a 0 frame and I was definitely interested! Such a gun was on my bucket list of Parkers to acquire and this one had potential. He offered to fit\finish the stock to my preferences if I committed to buying the gun from him. No agreement was made at that time, he just asked that I think about it and when he got ready to finish it up he would call me.

Fast forward to early April of this year when he called me to say that he wanted to finish it up and asked if I was still interested. I visited him, we talked more about it, and a deal was struck. The letter says it was made in 1908 and shipped to a gentleman in Tate, GA. The chokes are listed as RH-cylinder and LH-modified. I asked the gunsmith to measure the bores/restrictions and they were RH-0.617”/0.006”, LH-0.618”/0.015”. This gun is very close to a configuration that I have always wanted and to my eye it is a fine example of one. Not perfect, but as close as I've seen. Functionally the action is tight and the triggers are crisp. I’ve patterned it with my 7/8 oz and ¾ oz hand loads (#8 & #9 shot) and they perform nicely at 30 yards. I’ll use those loads for grouse and woodcock and probably go with a bit heavier loads for pheasants. I’m really looking forward to fall!

I could get excited about that one as well.

I am about 7 miles from Tate Ga. as a crow flies. What is the name of the original owner. I bet it is someone connected to the marble quarry.

I'd get excited for the upcoming bird season with a gun like that, too! I really love the engraving on the early 20th C. guns. I'll bet you make a memory or two carrying that gun.

Ted

i hope your aim is better with the Paker than it is with the cursor

:rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf:

unless you are trying to sell it before season ( you are in the for sale forum )

:cheers:

but - really nice set up for grouse and woodcock - great choke combo



ahh-i see the threads been moved - the joke is lost - but its still a great gun

The letter says it "...was ordered by the Anderson Hardware Company in Atlanta, GA on November 10, 1908 and shipped to W. S. Lincoln in Tate GA on December 2, 1908." It was $100.00 plus $25.00 for ejectors. Mr. Tate bought himself a very nice early Christmas present!

Beautiful wood on that gun!

Oh, sorry about that...Mods please move to the General Parker Discussion subforum.:o

I have a DHE 16 O frame that also lists Anderson Hardware of Atlanta. A gentlemans quail gun for sure Ted.

W.S. was made temporary receiver of the Southern Marble Co. in 1906
https://books.google.com/books?id=uB...g=RA6-PA20&lpg

He turned Yankee in 1921 with the National Marble Co.
https://books.google.com/books?id=HE...J&pg=PA537&lpg

I think you will like the CYL/MOD chokes on that gun. I have 2 Parkers that letter with that combination, the DHE 16 and a VH 20. I think its a great upland combo. A great grouse combo.

Ted,

Is that the restock that was done on the gun?

Looks to be very well done. Did he have the original stock and include that with the sale?

It should be a great grouse and woodcock gun for this fall. And next fall. And many other falls!

Great looking gun. You did good.

Bill - the stock in the photos above is the new stock and the original stock came with the gun, including the original SSBP. The grip cap was used on the new stock.

As for the new stock, the fit and finish are perfect to my eye. I am very happy with the stock and the gun overall. It's my first ejector gun too. I am looking forward to many years of reliable service from it.

Thanks for this info! I would love to find out how this gun got from GA up here to NY and there may be a clue in these links. I read through when I get a chance.

More to the story of this gun, the guy I bought it from got it from a local gun dealer. He got a tip that there was a yard sale in one of the small hill towns nearby (Corinth, NY) and some guns were out for sale. He went up there and found this gun.

Must be Mr. Lincoln brought it with him when he came north and somehow it made it's way to Corinth, NY. Fascinating to think about.

Maybe related to Honest Abe? Those chokes would be perfect around Tate Georgia.
That gun needs to come home. There a few grouse around here. Google Tate Manson. It's on the property at the quarry. I have stayed there years ago before moving here. Also Georgia Marble in nearby Nelson Georgia. Co owner is a friend of mine. The fellow that does the sculpturing is also his work is amazing.