The Invincables
 

Are they on loan at the NRA mueseum or were they donated ?

At one time they were on loan from the Peterson collection. I think I read that they were then donated to the NRA. But I am not sure how accurate that is.

Donated.

So Bob Peterson bought two of them from Shelly Gitman is that correct ?

From Tony Galazan as I recall.

Gittman owned two of them at some point is that correct ?

The whole peterson collection was left to the NRA.

I seem to remember a picture of Shelley and Kevin McCormack each holding an Invincible. Kevin am I dreaming?

No Dave; you are correct. The picture was taken in Del Grego's old shop on north 5h Avenue in Ilion when I "rode shotgun" (sorry!) with Shelly to take up 30+ of the best guns in his collection for a dedicated photography session for The Parker Story. There is also a picture or two of Bob Runge, Babe, and Lawrence holding them. We were there 2 days and saw some spectacular and rare Parkers besides the Invincibles. Thanks for the memories!

First pic is Shelly and myself holding the Invincibles; second is L to R, Lawrence Del Grego, Bob Runge, Babe Del Grego and Shelly Gitman

Craig, some day you may get an answer to your question in book form. It's no fun to hear only part of the story. At one time, a couple of our members got the entire story from the horse's mouth. It was a day to remember. A couple of different people related the "story" as they witnessed it and as they understood it. There were a couple of errors in their versions, but not important ones.

From my 'Invincible' folder. These predate Shelly Gitman's ownership.
The catalog, done on a 'typewriter' (a mechanical device used to imprint letters on a piece of paper).
The photo of Gary and Denise Herman, at the Sahara, ca 1972. IIRC.
I got to fondle 230,329, and 200,000 (technically NOT an invincible)

Gary Herman can tell 90% of the real story. The German can tell the rest of the story. Why is 200,000 not technically an Invincible, not that I have a dog in this fight?

The story of the A.C. Midleton, 16-gauge, Invincible, 230329, authored by Dick Baldwin, was in the May 1971 issue of Guns & Ammo.

Because 200,000 was recorded as a “PP Superfine” in the column that determined Grade.





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200,000 was the inspiration for the Invincible, but when it was made, the name didn't exist.

I would still like to own and/or shoot it, regardless of its faulty provenance.

IMO 200,000 is still one of the three Invincibles.





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Gary Herman displayed the A.C. Middleton gun at the 1970 NRA convention.

Attachment 120512

Moments after I took that picture I turned around and met Elmer Keith.

My ex and I were in Gary's shop around 1970 on a visit to her mother in Rockport, Mass. Gary had a fine little DH 28 gauge for $2650. He also had the Middleton gun with an actual price tag on it. I passed on both. Researcher, I'm sure Elmer was impressed.

Would that have been Jaeger?

Yes, the fellow who knows more than the rest of us about the Invincibles. He once published an article telling what he knew at the time.

Edgar, no, it was Dietrich Apel, a great fellow who would bend your ear at the Southern Side by Side, in the lower tent. He is part of the Invincible story. In fact, I think he could have told the whole story of the Middleton gun, maybe more.

I don't remember where I read Dietrich's account. It's around here somewhere. I may have gotten it verbally and not recorded it, like I got Shelly's account. There was a second witness to the conversation with Shelly, but he's older than I am.:rotf::rotf: