Of course its not mine, but I suppose I have vicariously enjoyed it and participated in its restoration. TPS shows that not very many 20 ga hammer guns were made in any grade, presumably because the shot charge was only 3/4oz and meat hunters wanted more than a 20ga could provide. TPS shows only a few 20ga D grades were made. I understand that in the Parker collecting community, only two D grade hammer guns are known, this being one of them, and Larry Baer's book shows a C hammer 20ga, but that gun seems to be extensively modified. I think the small bore hammer collector is far more likely to find a 16ga, and who knows, maybe one will come out of the woods a little north of Eveleth.
Both Charlie and I are firm believers in exhibiting these guns and showing photos here, not for personal reasons, but because it encourages others to become involved. If a person never sees these guns, why should he be interested in Parkers? The chicken coop story is a nice little story because it demonstrates that these guns are still out there to be found. Doc Van Blaricum picked up a really nice 16ga 0 grade top action about a year ago at a Kansas small town local gun show from some kid bringing in the family junk and wanting to get rid of it. He spent a year fixing the cracked stock and getting the twist barrels freshened, but he now has quite the gun.
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