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Unread 12-15-2009, 09:47 AM   #5
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Bruce Day
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Am I in error assuming this is a Parker Case?

Ans: Yes. Looks like a Red Head.

I want to say that it's an Abercrombie & Fitch.

Response: A&F leg of mutton cases ( made for A&F by Red Head and other vendors) are stamped with the A&F crest on the cap. Some are stamped then gold embossed.

Comment: Parker made( or had made for it) only walnut trunk cases in the 1870's. There are lots of these leg of mutton cases around. They make an appropriate accessory to a vintage gun. While putting neatsfoot oil on the straps is fine, it will soften the hard shell leather. Put regular shoe cream or Lexol cream on that.

I believe the "4" designates the quality level of the case. These are made with smooth belting leather, grained leather, some had hand tooling, some had elaborate attachments. I do not have nor I have I seen a Red Head or other vintage catalog listing all the case styles available, so I cannot verify that this was a style or quality grade. I can with some certainty state that it had nothing to do with Parker frame size. First, its not a Parker case. Second, Parker did not publicize frame size. In fact, frame size is a relatively recent understanding created by expanding PGCA research. Before the last 15 years or so, people only knew it was a heavy 12, light 16, etc.

Last edited by Bruce Day; 12-15-2009 at 10:13 AM..
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