The Parker Reproduction Closeout

[Wild Skies]

While snooping around on another site I came upon some info that may be of interest to some here. According to The Parker Story, Parker Reproductions were first introduced at the annual Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) show in 1984 with a display of twenty guns. At the time, the gun was only available in grade DHE, 20-gauge w/26" bbls. choked IC/M. It was soon followed with the same gun, but with 28" bbls. bored M/F. Retail sales were done through a network of established dealers.

In 1986 a 28-gauge was introduced in both 26" & 28" bbl. lengths. The 26" bbls. were choked IC/M and a new barrel choke designation of Q1/Q2 (later changed to SK1/SK2) were an added option on all gauges. The 28" bbls. were choked M/F.

In 1988 a 12-gauge DHE model on a 1 1/2-frame was offered in 26", 28" & 30" lengths. Also in 1988, the A-1 Special and BHE grade guns were added. The A-1 Special and BHE were available in 12-, 20- and 28-gauges initially, but .410 bore on a 00 or 0000-frame was offered later. Also in 1988 we saw the introduction of a 12-ga. double especially for sporting clays and furnished with six screw-in choke tubes in an edition of only 125 guns. It was named the Sporting Clays Classic and advertised as being a very adaptable gun for hunting as well as sporting clays.

In late 1988 Winchester lost its arrangement with the factory producing the Parker Reproduction. According to TPS, the owners decided it would profit them more to tear the facility down and construct a golf driving range on the land. Even though the factory closed, a good supply of unsold Parker Reproduction guns and parts remained and it was announced that the business would continue as usual. This went on for a few years. To help boost sales in 1994 a DHE grade 2-bbl. set with both 16 and 20-ga. barrels was offered, but in late 1994 sales of Parker Reproductions had slowed to the point it was no longer profitable to continue marketing them. It was early 1995 that it was decided to closeout the remaining supply of Parker Reproductions and to discontinue the gun business.

The remaining inventory was sold to a group of three gun dealers -- Cape Outfitters, Jaqua's and Guns Unlimited. These dealers offered the Parker Reproductions at closeout prices. Their advertisement is shown below along with what I believe an unnumbered inventory of the various configurations to be closed out.

[J. A. EARLY]

I find it ironic that in 1995 the gun was $1995. So I looked up what that amount would be today with inflation. This is a surprise:

$1,995 in 1995 is worth $4,015.47 today. So if one finds say a DHE 20 in that range today, the price has not changed.

[Bill Murphy]

Good gosh, I've been cheated.

[mobirdhunter]

Thanks for reminding me of how poor I was back then. I so clearly remember that ad and wishing I had the means to buy one of the closeout guns. Sigh...

[bob lyons]

I was lucky enough to get 2 - 20 gauges and 1 - 12 gauge in that sale event. Wish I had purchased more. Still have a 20 and 12.

[Big D]

I remember seeing stacks of Reproductions in Jaqua's. If only I had known

[Bill Murphy]

I bought one 28 gauge two barrel set with beavertail and double triggers. Yes, I was poor but The Lovely Linda fronted me the money.

[Marty K.]

My father passed in 1986…at 65 a veteran of 33 missions over Germany in 1944.
The cigarettes he smoked took him early after many years of heart trouble. Even though I had no money at the time I felt I wanted to order it in his honor and took out a loan for $3000. I recently had it engraved with both our initials and the year he died. I think of him whenever I use it and remember all the hunting and fishing trips together. As you can see the wood is special thanks to the salesman at Cabela’s. It will go to my son.

[Bill Murphy]

Wow, some wood, and some letter. I'm sure that gentleman didn't last long at Cabela's.

[ArtS]

Originally Posted by John Dallas

I remember seeing stacks of Reproductions in Jaqua's. If only I had known

I also was there toward the end of the closeout, and I remember the price being marked down from the flyer. They still had approximately a pickup truck load of boxed guns. Looking at the availability list, there seemed to be a relatively lot of 28 ga available. A good size group of customers standing around at the time discussed the fact and the general comments seemed to be that the 28's were just way to heavy for a small bore and didn't hold a lot of interest anyway. Some things swing quickly in a market.