Initial Shield
 

The 1886 D grade hammer gun has WWR engraved in the shield. It seems to be original engraving and matching the gun. The nail heads were even engraved thru. Who do you suppose WWR is? How many guns had initials placed on them ?

My guess would be about 1% had initials engraved from the factory.

David: Order a letter on your Parker and you may find out who WWR is.

Best Regards, George

Its kind of fun to speculate who may have purchased it in 1886. Figured some of you older historians might have some ideas. Did a computer search and found 1 person with initials wwr that seems interesting. Letter was sent for last week so might know in another week. Thanks for your input, Dave

A friend has her grandfathers Parkers. This shield is on a 20 gauge DH or DHE. She has his AAH from 1897 that came with 30" Whitworth Steel barrels and had the same shield engraving.

Harry

I would say she is one lucky girl. Thanks for the picture really cool.

recieved letter today. Gun was shipped to a Louis Erhardt of Kansas.He was a powder salesman and trapshooter. If you want some fun reading google search---sporting life 1907 shooting febr.--- now I just need to figure out wwr.

David,

Maybe WWR was the second owner?

Mark

Maybe around Kansas City?

David,

Search for a trapshooter in that area with those initials...

Mark

Mark, My guess is that it was used for live birds. I think the 10 ga. wasn't allowed much after the early 1900's for shooting trap. From the condition of the frame I would guess wwr to be less of a shooter and more of a storage keeper. I'll search Kansas City for more info. The hunt continues. Thanks Dave

Finally believe I found the history trail to the D10. My son married into a family of engravers and I let daughter inlaw look at stock shield. I thought initials were wwr, she thinks they are HWK so on went the search. 30 miles south of where the gun was originally delivered to a Lou Erhardt, lived HW Koohler of Leavenworth Ks. He just happened to be a pigeon and trap shooter in the late 1800's and early 1900's. It has taken a year of patience to figure this out. The earliest info is around 1896. Is there anything earlier then this? Thanks Dave

With Initials such as HWK ,I wonder if anyone might have nick named him , " Hawkeye " ,or " The Hawk " since he was a Pigeon Shooter ?? Just thinking out loud !

He did have a nick name but I think it was Jap.