Well my first Parker Bros shotgun will be here tomorrow , I was going to wait but im too excited haha . I have been wanting a Parkers since I was about 14. Now at 27 I was finally able to own such a piece of American craftsmanship .
I have to mention a fellow PGCA member here , because without him it wouldnt have been possible . Mr Josh Loewensteiner , a heavy #6 frame is my one of my dream doubles . Honestly I never thought I would own one well especially at my age . Thanks to Mr.Josh however he made it possible for me to get a Parker that probably would be out of reach for me normally . Finding someone to work with someone as young as me to get the classic/vintage double they usually can only admire from a distance means alot to me .
I have been doing a little research on the original owner listed in the research letter on it . S Sankey , he was from Russell County AL . From what I could find he came from a large family in that area . The only S Sankey I could find born there or from that area , is Sims Sankey . I believe Sims was his middle name and his full name was Henry Sims Sankey . Was it common for people to go by their middle names back then ? I think he had quite a few Henrys in his family so perhaps thats why he went by Sims .
I managed to find his resting place , it seems just about all of the Sankeys are buried in 2 cemeteries there .
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...ry-sims-sankey
He must have been a interesting fellow to order a 12lb+ 10 ga Parkers .
He lived only about 2hrs from here , eventually I would like to take the Parkers goose hunting up there . I think it would be quite the experience taking it hunting on or near its original hunting grounds 117 years ago .
If I recall this Parker has made its way up to New York some Im glad its coming back close to its original home . Mr.Sims ordered it in 1902 and received it in 1903 when he would have been 27 and now 117 years later at 27 I am getting it . He lived to be 92 , I wonder how long he kept his 12lb Parkers ? I know its impossible to know but I like the idea of someone ordering such a unique Parkers at a young age and using it for many decades .
While this does not directly have anything to do with Mr.Sims Sankey I think this was perhaps a cousin or so of his .
http://kilgorecousins.blogspot.com/2...re-family.html
I found it a interesting little read . They was born in the same county and buried in the same family plot so I am assuming they are related but not sure how .
Anyhow I am probably getting long winded but I am excited to get my first Parkers and a unique one at that . I will post the pictures tomorrow when I go pick it up .
My first Parkers after years of wanting one
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