Hunting with a 34” 3 frame 12ga
 

I was fortunate to acquire a DHE 12ga 34” 3 frame 12 gauge a few months ago. It is choked 0.040” in each bore with choke tapers at 4.5” and 5”. It tips the scales at a comfortable 9lbs. I have enjoyed several waterfowl hunts with it this fall. I have been shooting Kent Bismuth #5. Photo dump of several hunts. Where do you think Mr. Dickens hunted with this gun? Horicon Marsh? Like all the old Parkers, I wish it could tell its life story.

You better measure those barrel walls, they look a little thin! :) Bo Whoopie don't have anything on that one!

You have a wonderful Parker for waterfowl, and a rare one at that. Thank you for sharing your gun and your hunts!

Wow, what a great post! Awesome gun, dog and pics - extra nice touch with a "Southerlie" in the bag!!

Very cool pictures. Especially the long tail. Where were you hunting?

34 inches….nice

Old Squaw
 

There are a lot of Old Squaw on Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay. This particular hunt was between Port Huron and Lexington on Lake Huron. A lot of guides are going after these birds as they are plentiful and decoy really well. There is also a 6 bird limit. There are some locations that are better for the trophy male birds.

That is one helluva great Parker!

Congratulations!!





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Interesting letter Kurt in that it calls for a 1/16" muzzle thickness and "stock must be curly and handsome or won't take it". Congrats on a great gun and some fine hunting !

Great dog, great birds, and a great gun!

Where is the balance point with those long barrels?

Kurt's a good guy to hunt with, and he makes a darn good series of duck calls

Beautiful.

Yikes! An honest-to-goodness waterfowl gun.

This photo deserves to be seen "right." (I hope that's okay.)

Hey Kurt!!!..awesome pics and it is great seeing more than two or three. As far as hunting pics go, more is better and love that you are showing the gun, dog, yourself, and of course the ducks. Still using those sweet calls you made for me a long time ago and love the beauty of the wood. I don't understand how you can sell them so cheap unless child labor is legal in Michigan.

According to Nash Buckingham's writings he was using a 34-inch Parker Bros. before the Super-Fox came along. This is the only pic I've seen that shows such a gun but can't tell much of anything from it --

Attachment 138109

Nash may be using the 34-inch Parker in those old 1921 Field & Stream movies Dr. Wayne Capooth saved and put out on a DVD.

Is there a 34" Parker on the Bartholomew list? Sorry, I don't remember the gun or its serial number, if it was listed.

Kurt what does that bad boy weigh ? Sorry I just read the letter 8 1/2 - 8 3/4 pounds , that would be a nice weight . I e got a PH 10 3 frame 34” gun that if memory serves is 10+ pounds . That ones a little tiring at a 400-500 bird tower shoot .

The link to your website is not working. Where can I find your calls?

-Victor

Link problem.
 

Ditto on your link

That is special for sure

Game Calls
 

Sorry gentlemen. I haven’t turned any calls for a few years. The plan is to get back into it over the next year.

Kurt

It is right at 9lbs. It is a little barrel heavy.
I have some Parker’s in the 10lb range. It would be a workout shooting a few boxes of shells.

Kurt

HaHa. Good one Reggie. That thing could handle anything!!! Awesome gun!!!

34" Parker
 

Some info on a Buckingham 34" Parker before I am gone. Back in the last century I purchased a number of guns that were Nash's. There were varied makes including some Beckers, and a 34" Parker that originally came as a used gun from Capt DuBray on the west coast. It was/is an AAHE on a #2 frame that Nash had Becker restock and then sold to Edgar Queenie before I got it. The story I have is that Nash wasn't in love with it, "Too Light". Russ Bickel shot it well and won at least one pigeon shoot with it. It was one that shouldn't have gotten away, but I was never well heeled enough to hang onto a lot of what are now revered collecting jewels. Ah Well, the old man sure 'Lived Life Large' and for that I am forever thankful to a lot of really great outstanding people who I have been privileged to have had as friends.

The gun survives, but very soon after I sold it, the new owner sent it up to the Delgreco father and son team and had it receive the full treatment including pulling the Becker stock. I have tried to retrieve the stock but no luck, The stock had a decent 'Becker' belly and I am not sure I don't/can't see it in the above photo. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!! Tom

Thank you so much for sharing your historical knowledge. Truly priceless.

Thank you Tom. Very interesting information!

Tom, I always consider your posts as very special. The voice of "time" speaking.

Stay well, SRH.

Great hunts and even better gun!

Now thats a duck gun

Concerning the AA Grade 34" gun that Tom mentions, it is serial number 148,348 and prior to Tom, it was stored in Bart Cox's home in Maryland and was probably owned by Henry Bartholomew at the time Tom found it. Bart Cox's list mentioned a set of barrels, also AA Grade, serial number 151,106, that letter as 30", that may have been fitted to the 34" receiver. No mention on the list of a gun with serial number 151,106, only the barrels. The 34" gun is on Captain DuBray's 1910 factory inventory list. The gun was made in 1908, and DuBray's list was dated 1910, with the gun specified as a Meriden gun, so I would assume that it was a new gun that DuBray would show to prospective customers. Thanks, Tom, for your great post.