A. W. du Bray ordered guns - Personal use or for customers

[John Gardner]

I have come across a 12 DHE from 1906 that was ordered by du Bray in Cincinnati and shipped to same.

Is there a way to tell if this was one of his personal guns, I am sure he must of had a full quiver of them and I have read he was partial to 20's, or if this was just one of many he ordered for clients as a salesman for Parker?

[Dean Romig]

DuBray was a Parker salesman and ordered a great many Parkers. It would be extremely difficult to determine if he may have kept it for himself... but not impossible. But you know all that.

[John Davis]

I actually own a Parker Bros. envelope, personalized for duBray. Handwritten on the outside is "Gun Information", "A. W. du Bray's Consigned & personal property guns", "Sept 30/26". This is written in du Bray's hand. It contained a list of guns he had in inventory at the hotel he lived in in San Fransisco. I purchased the envelope from Ed before he passed. Ed had given the original list to one of du Bray's relatives but kept a copy, which was included with the envelope. Pretty cool item. John

[Double Lab]

Nice. Any chance of you scanning the letter for us to enjoy?

[John Davis]

I'll try.

[John Gardner]

Thanks Dean, John,
After searching some older threads I'll pickup a copy of Knights of the Trigger to see if du Bray had recorded preferences in gun configuration.

The specifics on the DHE 12 I have from 1906 are: 30" Titanic Steel Barrels, 'Special Instructions ' per Parker letter were: 2" pitch, cast off at heel of 1/4" and 3/8" cast off toe, to shoot extra No. 6 shot, safety non automatic, 2 3/4" chambers, RH pull 3 1/2 lbs, LH pull 4 lbs, with requested weight between 7 lbs 6 oz. to 7 lbs 8 oz.

Stock configuration is a straight grip , LOP 13 5/8" Drop at heel 2 ' and Drop at comb 1 3/8"
Also trying to load the Parker Pages story on a du Bray gun but having difficulties.

[John Gardner]

Originally Posted by John Davis

I'll try.

Wow John, Mission accomplished!

My gun is number 136166 and it is listed on your copy of the du Bray inventory letter. How cool is that?

This is literally one of the first two Parker's I ever saw and I bought it locally on Vancouver Island. To me it was 'just OK' as it is well worn and I was thinking of trading it off down the road but not now. Most of my guns (Parker or not) are all over 100 years old as I much prefer a gun with history. Talk about lightening quick provenance - Thank you Gentlemen!

I will try to post some pictures of the DHE later today.

[John Davis]

John G., In the words of my 12 yr. old daughter, Way Cool. Several years ago I purchased a 12 gauge DH off of Guns America. Wasn't much to look at but the price was very right. Turned out to have belonged to Fred Kimble and the rest is history. Love those guns with provenance. Sounds like you've got a keeper.

[John Gardner]

Again my thanks John. Here is a neat article on Kimble if you have not already seen it.
http://www.traphof.org/People-Storie...ed-kimble.html

[Mills]

John Davis' book is highly recommended for those who don't have it . . And while supplies last