Pearson T. Bannister - Parker stock maker
 

I have a very good condition PH in the shop right now with factory 26" twist barrels. Made in 1903. Under the guard bow is the serial number and grade stamping as usual, along with a makers stamp that I had not seen yet or at least noticed on other guns. Given the condition of the gun, the stamping is perfectly crisp and clean. The initials are P. B. No doubt for Pearson Bannister. The Parker Story lists the Meriden City directories and in them he is listed as a "Stocker". The directories from 1875 and 1893 list his name. But not in the 1913 directory. So Bannister was a stocker for Parker for at least 30 years and this PH's stock could have been among the last made by him in his working career.

Has anyone else noticed any makers stamps on their stocks?

Attachment 23107

That's pretty neat Brian, being able to pin a stock to it's maker.

OK, guys, get out your screwdrivers. Great work, Brian.

Brian I can't thank you enough. I recently bought a 10 gauge hammer gun and upon taking off the metal butt plate there were three numbers on the butt of the gun that did not match the last three numbers of the serial number. My heart sank thinking it was not the original factory stock even though it looked like it had been there since 1884 when the gun was made. I just took your advice and took out the trigger guard screw. There, what to my surprise was the serial number matching the serial number of the gun. No other markings such as who stocked it but I am still great. Thanks for the suggestion. It sure worked for me.

Dennis

I can,t check mine Brian has it. Hope he looks.

It is not uncommon for very early forends to have the craftsmanship name stamped on them.
Can't say what the numbers are stamped under your buttplate. I have observed before the last 3 of the serial number hand written in a wax pencil on both the wood and the buttplate.

Parker Brothers is another guess....

I just acquired a beat up VH or PH buttstock with serial number 119287 that is also stamped with Mr. Banister's initials (P.B.). This stock was made in the same year as the gun that I originally posted about. 1903

And another that I have, a GH stock made in 1893 also has the mark.