RUTH

Matt Michael · 04-05-2012, 11:31 AM

Hello fellow Parker enthusiast. Some of you may have read the article "Ruth" in the recent issue of Parker Pages. I found the article very interesting because I look at Parkers not just as guns but objects that has touched peoples lives.

I though I would share with you my "Ruth" story. My gun isnt particularly ornate or valuable but it hangs above my mantle with pride. It was sold in the fall of 1889 to JH Guernsey. After Doing a little research the JH stands for John Henry. He was 41 when he purchased this 12ga Hammer gun and was postmaster in the town in which he lived. I purchased the gun last year when I was 40 about the same age as John Henry when he purchased it.

John Henry was married to Alice and from what I can tell they lived most of their lives in Waterbury CT. I wonder what type of game he hunted with it (both bores are full choke) and did Alice ever shoot the gun?

Somehow between 1889 and 2011 (122 yrs) it traveled from Connecticut to Kentucky where I purchased the gun. I cant imagine the live its had or the hands its past through. I wonder if it provided food for the Guernsey family and did John Henry hang it above his mantle as I do.

I can only speculate as to its past but currently we (Matt & Kelly) take it to Elk Creek hunt club and shoot sporting clays with it. Its pretty challenging to hit clays with two full choke bores but it needs to be shot. Its not just a wall hanger. I'm still doing research on John and Alice. I'll keep you posted.....

Big Friend Ten (BFT) · 04-05-2012, 11:35 AM

Hi Matt,

Great post! Thanks for sharing your family photos!

Mark

Dean Romig · 04-05-2012, 09:08 PM

Matt & Kelly, it looks like you have a great place to shoot clays. Keep at it - you'll really have a lot of fun like Kathy and I have - and Larry and Deb... we have quite a few 'couples' who shoot together.
Matt, you need to get Kelly a Parker that isn't quite so cumbersome as that one is for her... I think a nice little 20 or 28 gauge would be a great gift for her...
Keep us informed.

And, for everyone's information, "A Working Man's Parker", the story of Ruth, will be continued in the Summer Issue of Parker Pages. It is a very well written story that I have enjoyed reading.

George Lander · 04-05-2012, 11:22 PM

Matt & Kelly: A wonderful thought, taking the "old girl" out & exercising her in the manner for which she was intended. If only these old guns could talk, what stories they could tell.

Best Regards, George

Harry Collins · 04-06-2012, 08:07 AM

Matt,

Elk Creek is my stomping ground as well. I regularly shoot an 1881 lifter 12 gauge there as it is my sporting clays gun choked .013 in both barrels. Mike Franzen is from your neck of the woods and shoots his hammered Parkers there too. After Keeneland is over the end of April I hope we can get together for a hammered Parker shoot.

Harry

Harry Collins · 04-06-2012, 08:08 AM

Matt,

I forgot to ask what shells do you shoot out of your old girl?

Harry

Matt Michael · 04-07-2012, 09:40 AM

Would love to meet up at Elk Creek. We like to shoot the upper corse because it easier for a novice like me. I shoot the 1 oz loads they sell there but nothing heavier than that.
I need to order some 2.5" length shells but havent got around to it. We will probably be at keenland as well.