So, I woke up on Saturday morning and braved the ice covered roads down here in NC, and made my way over to Greensboro for the gun show. Maybe it was the weather and the icy roads, but I was pleased to see that there was no line at the door, and I was able to buy a ticket and walk right in. Inside, it was elbow to elbow, but I started to make my way around the show looking for that diamond in the rough. It wasn't long before I reached a beautiful display of Parker Hammer Guns owned by Mr. Hammer Gun himself, Gary Carmichael. Gary and his son were manning the tables and I spent the better part of the afternoon hanging out with them, looking at guns and talking shop. I had a great time. On top of that I've been looking for a Hammer Gun ever since the Fall Southern, but haven't been able to find one in the kind of condition I wanted. As you'll see from the pictures below, I think I've solved that problem with Gary's help. He sent me home on Saturday evening with a very nice 12ga "O" Grade Parker and it's exactly what I've been looking for. It's a #1 Frame gun with 30" Plaint Twist Barrels choked Full and Full, and has some great case coloring remaining. Being a #1 Frame gun, it comes in just over 7lbs and feels great in my hands. I'm looking forward to taking it out next weekend to shoot some clays at Drake's Landing. I talked to Daryl Carona on the way home from the show last night and he asked for some pictures, so Daryl, here you go.....
Mike