Clark Gable and his love affair with long legged (Parker) Ladies

JLoew · 07-03-2018, 10:36 AM

I recently came across a very cool Parker with great provenance. Reportedly the gun belonged to Clark Gable. It is a 201k SN BHE 28ga, late 0 Frame, with original 32" Acme barrels, Parker SST, Beavertail forend and original 15" LOP. Many people would call this a "dream gun."

King Cobb · 07-03-2018, 11:41 AM

Beautiful gun, been a fan of Clark Gable's since I first saw Gone with the Wind. Just curious, you say reportedly ordered by him, does this mean family legend or is there something attaching it to Mr. Gable more concretely?

Its a beautiful gun regardless, just interested in what the connection is?

Randy Roberts · 07-03-2018, 11:57 AM

Wow ! Just incredible. Curious about the butt treatment, what is it ?

JLoew · 07-03-2018, 01:22 PM

Here are a few additional views of the gun. There is a 2002 dated letter with the gun that gives the provenance/collection history.

Dean Romig · 07-03-2018, 01:45 PM

Patterned by request with #6 shot makes it a duck & pheasant gun I would think.

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King Cobb · 07-03-2018, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Patterned by request with #6 shot makes it a duck & pheasant gun I would think.

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Which of course means quailon the floor plate.

Gorgeous gun and love those quail.

Researcher · 07-03-2018, 02:13 PM

Back at one of the Vintage Cups at Sandanona, when Kevin McCormack and I were manning the PGCA booth, this 32-inch BHE 20-gauge attributed to Clark Gable was brought in and shown around.

Clark Gable BHE 20 ga 32 inch left.jpg

Clark Gable BHE 20 ga 32 inch right.jpg

After everyone fondled it, the crowd began to wander off and pretty soon I was left alone there holding it for about an hour!! If I recorded the serial number, the piece of paper with that info hasn't survived. These two pictures that Kevin took and memories are all that I have. As I recall the trigger plate was engraved with a big shaggy English Sheep Dog?!?

Kensal Rise · 07-03-2018, 03:30 PM

If Parker records/"the letter" show it was ordered by Gable, then it's a real find!

But "frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

It's a beautiful Parker as it stands!

Reggie B · 07-03-2018, 03:31 PM

Clark must have not been the man I thought he was. Recoil pad on a 28 gauge! But it is a super nice Parker!

Researcher · 07-03-2018, 05:05 PM

When that 28-gauge was shipped in June 1923, William Clark Gable was 22 years old and working all kinds of jobs from a necktie salesman at Meier & Frank in Portland, Oregon, to logging. Don't believe he was making BHE-Grade money at that time. He didn't go to Hollywood until 1924.