Old Days With The PGCA

[Bruce Day]

Just thinking of some of the old days and Parker people gone by.

First is Oscar Gaddy, who revived the art of damascus finishing. An interesting find of his was that Parker used damascus sheet stock to make lock plates. Below is a Parker he found with damascus side plates and that he refinished to restore the damascus pattern. I wonder if others have been found.

Next from 1997 was a trip into the Nevada desert during the Las Vegas Gun show for a live pigeon shoot. Here is a photo from those days showing Parker collectors Mark Conrad, Jim Hall, Todd Allen, Sam Tomlin, Fred Stump, Ron Kirby, Charlie Herzog and Ed Kapelski. Big Iron Kapelski passed away and Ron Kirby got out of Parkers, the others are still significant collectors. Interesting guns of the show included an AHE 28ga damascus and the damascus gun with the name of the barrel broker intertwined in damascus letters the length of the barrel.

[Dean Romig]

AHE 28 ga. Damascus? Be still my heart

I would love to see that Parker.

[Richard Flanders]

Keepem coming Bruce. Good stuff. Never heard of a damascus sideplate. Very cool.

[James Brown]

Before TPS or Serialization Book Mr. Kirby was the first person that helped me research a Parker, sent me a copy of the IBM card, nice man.
James

[Blind Dog]

The first PGCA Letter I requested was prepared and sent to me by Ron Kirby. It was for a 0 grade lifter which was my only Parker at the time; and, I had had (and still have) for 40 years. The letter included information of the original purchaser ( a Mr. Plum of New York) and a photo copy of the Order Book entry. I have not had such a complete history and documentary information since.

[Dean Romig]

Fred, you'll just have to buy Parkers with more provenance and records of returns for repairs.

[Bruce Day]

?????


Fred, are you sure you have bought another gun in the last 40 years?

[Blind Dog]

Think I'll have to find one higher than a 0. Seriously, Mark sent me a nice one on my grade 5 as well as giving me some outside a "letter" info on a prospect. I have not sought one on my 20, 16 or 12 Trojans, even though they are close to my favorites, as there probably isn't much to say about them.

[Bruce Day]

Fred, the above letter is only for a G. With a C or above you get a lot more until you get to A then you get the whole production book.