New to Parkers & the PGCA

[Paul P.]

Howdy, I'm a new member & begining collector with 2 Parkers, a Vulcan 16ga. ser. # 117879 & a Trojan in 12ga. ser. # 223967. On the Vulcan there is a capital 'K' & a lower case 'f' on the barrel lug just before the weight stamp. Does anyone know what this indicates ?
Also is there any activities in the Texas area? I'm seeing a few meets in the eastern US, but nothing close to my area.
Thanks in advance.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Hi Paul,

Welcome aboard! I'll let others address your technical questions. I will however comment that we have members in Texas and adjoining states. You having asked about "activities" may thrust you to blaze a path toward creating PGCA activities in your areas.

Member Bruce Day does a lot of work in the central midwest to include the NRA convention and Pheasant Fest. I do some work in Michigan such as setting up a Parker display at SxS shoots. Of course the Nor-Easter's are always busy spreading the information found in The Parker Story!

When you receive your PGCA membership packet from Mary B. you will find a membership roster. It will list the addresses of members. Please use it to reach out to your fellow Texas PGCA members! If you guys desire to set up a display at a Texas (or nearby) gun show or SxS shoot contact PGCA Board Memember Dave Suponski. Otherwise contact me for whatever hard-earned wisdom that I may be able to share. I don't want to speak for Bruce but chances are that he'd also be very helpful... Where are you Bruce?

Mark

[Paul P.]

Thanks Mark.

[Researcher]

On page 252 of The Parker Story it is stated that the Kf mark is not understood. Some believed it to be the final inspection mark of Charles King, the Father of the Parker Bros. shotgun. In that it appears in the same location as the barrel material mark on other types of barrels perhaps it has something to do with the steel. I've only seen it on Vulcan Steel barrels from the pre-WW-I era. Has anyone seen the Kf mark on other types of steel barrels -- Parker, Parker Spec., Titanic, Acme? Later guns built during his son Walters tenure often have a WK in an oval.

[Paul P.]

That makes sense to me as the weapon this mark is on was born in 1903.
Thanks for the info. I have a copy of The Parker Story but I havn't had the time to read it yet.

[Kevin McCormack]

The Kf mark seen on early Parkers has been discussed here before. One theory is that the f was probably used to indicate construction of the barrels had been completed and they were approved as ready for fitting to a gun. The f was thought to represent the German word 'fertig', meaning finished, completed, or done. Many of the early Parker Gun craftsmen in the barrel shop being of German descent, the suggestion may have been made to use the f in connection with King's inital K to signify final inspection and approval of the barrels.

[Paul P.]

Cool......This is why I knew that I should join this assn. The comunial knowledge is incredible. Y'all are great. i'm in heaven learing this stuff. Thanks to everyone for your help.