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05-23-2013, 06:42 AM | #3 | ||||||
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I actually own a Parker Bros. envelope, personalized for duBray. Handwritten on the outside is "Gun Information", "A. W. du Bray's Consigned & personal property guns", "Sept 30/26". This is written in du Bray's hand. It contained a list of guns he had in inventory at the hotel he lived in in San Fransisco. I purchased the envelope from Ed before he passed. Ed had given the original list to one of du Bray's relatives but kept a copy, which was included with the envelope. Pretty cool item. John
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The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to John Davis For Your Post: |
05-23-2013, 07:15 AM | #4 | ||||||
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Nice. Any chance of you scanning the letter for us to enjoy?
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The Following User Says Thank You to Daryl Corona For Your Post: |
05-23-2013, 11:24 AM | #5 | ||||||
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I'll try.
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The Following 12 Users Say Thank You to John Davis For Your Post: |
05-23-2013, 11:49 AM | #6 | ||||||
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Wow John, Mission accomplished!
My gun is number 136166 and it is listed on your copy of the du Bray inventory letter. How cool is that? This is literally one of the first two Parker's I ever saw and I bought it locally on Vancouver Island. To me it was 'just OK' as it is well worn and I was thinking of trading it off down the road but not now. Most of my guns (Parker or not) are all over 100 years old as I much prefer a gun with history. Talk about lightening quick provenance - Thank you Gentlemen! I will try to post some pictures of the DHE later today. |
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The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to John Gardner For Your Post: |
05-23-2013, 11:25 AM | #7 | ||||||
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Thanks Dean, John,
After searching some older threads I'll pickup a copy of Knights of the Trigger to see if du Bray had recorded preferences in gun configuration. The specifics on the DHE 12 I have from 1906 are: 30" Titanic Steel Barrels, 'Special Instructions ' per Parker letter were: 2" pitch, cast off at heel of 1/4" and 3/8" cast off toe, to shoot extra No. 6 shot, safety non automatic, 2 3/4" chambers, RH pull 3 1/2 lbs, LH pull 4 lbs, with requested weight between 7 lbs 6 oz. to 7 lbs 8 oz. Stock configuration is a straight grip , LOP 13 5/8" Drop at heel 2 ' and Drop at comb 1 3/8" Also trying to load the Parker Pages story on a du Bray gun but having difficulties. |
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The Following User Says Thank You to John Gardner For Your Post: |
05-23-2013, 06:18 PM | #8 | |||||||
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Quote:
I have a DHE 16 gauge that was ordered by du Bray in 1906 that shares many of the same specifications as yours. It has 30" Titanic barrels and has a straight grip stock that letters at 13 1/2" lop, 1 1/2" dac, and 2" dah. The letter also specifies 1/4" cast at heel and 3/8" at the toe with 2 7/8" chambers and a non-auto safety. This gun was ordered for a gentleman in Richmond Virginia and not a personal gun of du Bray. Perhaps these dimensions were recommended by the salesman or just typical for that period of time. |
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05-23-2013, 06:55 PM | #9 | ||||||
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That's a good point Larry it makes sense that a common set of specifications were the general 'go to' dimensions that a salesman would recommend to a shooter based on his/her physical stature. Our Company does the same thing today for general inquiries from clients for their personal diving equipment. Without John D's letter it would have been very hard to assign the DHE to du Bray. Also good sleuthing on Dean's part to see where the gun headed next.
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05-23-2013, 07:17 PM | #10 | ||||||
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Larry, was your gun shipped to Harris, Flippen Sporting Goods in Richmond by chance?
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The Following User Says Thank You to Ed Blake For Your Post: |
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