Parker Loading Tools
Hi, new to the forum, haven't posted here before even though I'm a member and have read the forum for a couple of years. What a wonderful resource and all the pictures of the Parker guns and a wealth of information from all the researchers here. I like 8 gauge guns, cartridges and loading tools and have a couple of 8 ga. guns that I shoot but no Parker 8. I regret passing on a couple of Parkers several years ago because they were "overpriced". They are at least 3 times the price today and it hasn't been that long ago.
I also collect antique loading tools and thought I would post a few pictures of some Parker tools that I acquired recently. "PARKER BROS. ' on bottom, nickel and cocobolo combination shot and powder measure. Slotted shot measure on one side, opposite is powder scale. Shot is 1oz. to 1 7/8 oz., 2 1/2 drams to 5 drams powder. Rammer style handle, 12 ga. size.
I assume these were produced by Bridgeport Gun Implement Co. as they are clones of early BGICO production from the late 1870s and early 1880s. Also, did Parker sell different size rammer handles (10-12-16) and were there varying sizes of powder and shot measures? BGICO offered powder measures with capacity of up to 8 drams of powder for loading 8 ga. cartridges. How many different examples of marked loading tools have been noted by collectors?
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