Parker Try-Gun Research Continued...
 

This is a brief follow-up to continued research on a Rare pair of original old Parker Try-Gun related photographs acquired many years ago... The early 1900's photos show head office New-York Parker sales rep Louis Parker Sr, along with legendary trap/live-bird shooter and Dupont Powder sales rep Jack Fanning displaying a seldom seen Curtis design Parker Try-Gun...

There was a time when I thought my old HP Scanner did some fairly good work, that is until I decided to upgrade to a newer version with 6-8 times the resolution quality... Wow! ~ What a difference.

Something very apparent with the higher resolution scans of these old photos are the distinct case-color patterns on this particular Parker... As early Try-Guns were handled and shot extensively, it stands to reason overall case colors would be worn away more quickly on these guns. The Parker in this photo was still very fresh, and had yet to endure the knocks, nicks, and wear that would come later.

Case color and stock wood grain patterns can often be as unique as a finger print. I encourage anyone in the Parker collecting community who owns a Parker (Curtis) Try-Gun to take a closer look at the stock, and any faint case colors that may still remain on their gun...

I have provided a few images below that show a very distinct wishbone case-color pattern on the right side around the small screws, and also a close-up of the adjustable stock... There is one (PGCA) fella here confirmed to have a Parker Curtis Try-Gun, perhaps he will also get his magnifying glass out and take a closer look to see if he notices any remaining pattern similarities to those shown below...

Best, Chris ~ CSL
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http://www.webpak.net/~cslien/1ParkerTryG2.jpg
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http://www.webpak.net/~cslien/1ParkerTryG4.jpg
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http://www.webpak.net/~cslien/1ParkerTryG1.jpg
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Chris, is there any way to know what grade the pictured gun is? It almost looks like it has an oval vignette on the side of the frame as would have a Grade 2.






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Chris- that is fabulous work.

That would be Mr. Murphy??

I have never seen a Curtis Try-Gun. Thanks Chris.

article about a Parker try gun from 1915, not the same style but interesting to see.

http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrar.../SL6521029.pdf








Gary

Thanks Gary
Nice digging. I had not seen that before. I assume it was some kind of a press release.
Someone referred me to a similar blurb in a June 24, 1915 article in Arms and Man. In fact, it is almost word for word the same now that I have compared them.
I am working on a Try-Gun article for PP.
You should join the PGCA and write articles for PP!

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Dean,
Good eye, under close inspection there does appear to be an oval, and If I remember correctly, Murphy's Curtis gun is also a "G" as well... I have the info on his Try-Gun somewhere here in my files, just have to find it...

Best, CSL
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Sorry, Chris, the case color detail is gone on the "supposed" Fanning gun. All other visible details appear identical, but I am not getting any detail on your enlargements that would clearly identify the gun in my hands as the gun in the picture. Maybe more detail would come in an email scan. wilmrph@verizon.net

The checkering pattern on the grip of the gun in Chris' picture is a GH-Grade checkering pattern.

Dave, yup, it's a G Grade with an original G Grade stock and the Curtis mechanism installed on the cut off stock. It is a very ingenious design that makes the Parker factory try gun look way more expensive and complicated than it has to be. Chris, can we establish a time line between the Curtis try mechanism and the Parker mechanism? I have a feeling that there is an overlap, and the powers that be at Dupont just wouldn't invest in the Parker Try Gun or maybe Parker would not sell their gun to Dupont.