How many Top Action guns made without Dolls Head?

Big Friend Ten (BFT) · 02-07-2011, 10:50 AM

Gentlemen (and any ladies),

The Parker story states that the Top Action (top lever) guns started production in 1882. It further states that the Dolls Head was added shortly thereafter, or perhaps it states after 1882.

1. Does anyone know how many Top Action guns were made without a Dolls Head?

2. Is there a breakdown by grade for Top Actions without a Dolls Head?

Respectfully,
Mark

Dean Romig · 02-07-2011, 11:19 AM

Mark, I believe that when Parker Bros. made an improvement or modification to the design 'standard' records of which serial numbers to be manufactured to this new 'standard' were not kept. I think an educated guess is the best we can come up with.

Big Friend Ten (BFT) · 02-07-2011, 11:40 AM

Thanks Dean!

Okay, of the appoximately 5000 Parkers made in 1882, what percentage would be, based on our best statistical deduction, Top Actions?

This is assuming that all production of Top Actions made in 1882 would not have a Dolls Head.

Thanks,
mark

Opening Day · 02-07-2011, 12:01 PM

Like I told you at the show I have "No" idea.... Be interesting what others that know about these guns come up with. Would be an interesting article for the Parker Pages. Eric

Dean Romig · 02-07-2011, 12:01 PM

What are the statistics upon which we can base our "statistical deductions"?

Big Friend Ten (BFT) · 02-07-2011, 12:03 PM

Dean,

I was hoping that you would know

Autumn Daze · 02-07-2011, 12:32 PM

I would think less than 5%. Top lever guns without the dolls head are rarely seen. There was some discussion awhile ago that pigeon ring competetors liked guns without the dolls head for speed in loading.

Big Friend Ten (BFT) · 02-07-2011, 12:36 PM

I had previously thought that I got short changed because my Grade 2 doesn't have a Dolls Head!

Eris and "Inspector Parker" Kurt D. spotted the missing Dolls Head immediately and informed me, "A top action withour a dolls head is pretty rare!"

Thanks Eric and Kurt!

Bill Murphy · 02-07-2011, 02:21 PM

Hammerless without dolls head except Trojans are very rare. There is no known way to tell how many were made.

Austin W Hogan · 02-07-2011, 02:54 PM

I think this Folsom order has been shown before. There is a note Top Action Ext Rib at the upper left. The orders on this page are in the 26 - 29000 serial range.
The first top actions appearred in the upper 24000 s/n range. 26145 has an extension. I think TPS estimates the number without extension at about 1000. There was a top action for sale at Vintagers about 5 years ago that did not have the extension.

Best, Austin