CH Bernard Set

[Bruce Day]

Kurt Densmore sent me photos of his wonderful CH Bernard 12/10 two barrel set. Both are 30's, both Bernards, on a #2 frame.
To put this gun in perspective, about 480 Bernard C's were made, we know from the SN book that about 18 16ga's were made and two are known to the collector community today. About 12 20's were made and none are known today. Most were #2 frame 12's, few 10's. Most were hammerless guns, about 4 top action hammer guns are left. There were a handful of 12/10 barrel sets made; this is one of them and is a fine example. I own another, which was abused and was a project. The 10's on that gun are the light 26"er's with cyl bores for upland game.

Bernard C's were made from about 1883 to 1918, most from about 1889 to 1905. A few from 1900 to 1905 had the rondell side panel engraving. Many had deer or elk on the bottom plate but many also had charming and pleasant gamebirds there, as does this one.

We also know that during the day that Parker was offering these guns, Parker stated that in order of resistance to bore wear, it was Acme, Bernard, then croille damascus. We know that the Bernard pattern originated with Leopold Bernard, Cannonier, Paris, France, and that the firm of Leopold, then Emile Bernard became famous for the pattern and their own barrels. Many Bernard made barrels can be found on high end continental and US guns of the day. In the late 1800's other manufacturers in Belgium began making the Bernard pattern, and so Parker began offering these barrels, considered some of the finest of their day, when they became available.

So here we have a fine example....thanks Kurt.

[Dean Romig]

I just took a look at Robin Hollow Outfitters website to see if that CH Bernard 12/10 was still there and it appears to be gone. Does anyone know who got that one? Those 12/10 Bernard sets are scarce as hen's teeth... lucky guys!

[Labowner]

Dean check out first post, Kurt bought it.

[Dollar Grade]

The pictures seem to loose a lot of definition when they are imported. The engraving on the bottom of the action is quite nice. The drake mallard has a couple of tail curls and a ring around its neck. The hens tail sticks up above the drakes back. More than normal detail to the plants in the background.

Kurt

[AmarilloMike]

Kurt as I remember the listing the gun weighed 7lbs -15oz with the 10 gauge barrels. Is that right?

I remember thinking that an upland ten gauge Parker CH is pretty rare when I saw the ad.

thanks,

Mike

[Dollar Grade]

Yes Mike,
I weighed it in at 7-15 and it letters at 7-15 with the 10ga bbls. There are a few #2 frame 10's around but certainly not the most common configuration. I shot a few 1 1/4oz loads out of it and you can tell it is a light 10.

Kurt

Originally Posted by Mike Shepherd

Kurt as I remember the listing the gun weighed 7lbs -15oz with the 10 gauge barrels. Is that right?

I remember thinking that an upland ten gauge Parker CH is pretty rare when I saw the ad.

thanks,

Mike

[Bill Murphy]

The W.S. Perry ten gauge pigeon gun, pictured on page 271 of "Shooting Flying" by EDM is a #4 frame 11 pound gun. It is the only 33" C Grade hammer gun. Oddly, there are many more ten gauge Bernard hammer guns than there are twelves. Shortly after this gun was built, Parker Brothers introduced the hammerless and apparently insisted that company shooters like Perry give up their hammer guns for hammerless tens. As I recall, research shows that Perry had probably received his new D Grade hammerless ten in time to use it on the U.S. Cartridge Company national tour. Ed's chapter that includes page 271 is interesting reading, explains the tour in detail.

[Dean Romig]

Your mention of Ed's "Shooting Flying" prompted me to retreive my copy and browse through it once again. It is argueably Ed's best book challenged only by his "Old Reliable". On page 309 Ed briefly discusses Harvey H. Brown, a champion shooter of the day who hailed from Cleveland Ohio and. in fact, lived on Euclid Ave, "Millionaire's Row". A friend owns a wonderful old $350 Grade "MFG'D EXPRESSLY FOR HARVEY H. BROWN" so statad on the top rib... a wonderful gun. Watch for an article on Mr. Brown and his Parker in the future.


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[ch]

Great gun Kurt!!!