Free Parkers!
 

1922 National Sportsman
Most catalog listings had the Trojan for about $48 and VH for $60

https://photos.smugmug.com/Vintage-S...%20guns-X2.jpg

Drew, I've seen those and similar ads and often thought of the guns that were "given" away. It would be nice to have a documented "free" gun.

Those were the days!

Early example of the "Bait and Switch" tactic. They show a beautifully engraved DH but in the small print only include the unengraved VH and Trojans models. The very nerve of those people! And this from our very own William Harnden Foster. :shock: :rotf:





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I guess that is where the "if the Shotgun, Rifle or Revolver you want is not listed here, let us know what it is, and we will make you a special order." comes in.

The Parker in the picture was also a Damascus gun, in 1922.

My Dad always told me he worked all summer selling Rosebud Salve when he was 10 years old in order to sell enough to fulfill a similar offering. His goal was a Stevens Crack shot 22 that was the object of his dreams. The Salve arrived but still waiting on the rifle. When he was 65, I happened to see a nice one in a gun store, bought it, refinished the stock and metal, and gave it to him for Christmas. It was the only time I ever saw him cry.

I suspect a lot of young subscription sellers suffered the same fate.

For me it was the Xray glasses that made me want to try and be ambitious. I tried delivering phone books one summer but decided I would rather be fishing. That might have set a tone …

On a simular note
 

I am still waiting for my spider monkey that I ordered in 1970 from Hialeah Florida for $14.95