1899 grade #1 W/walnut case

[Leonard LaFayette]

I have a 1899 grade 1 with what I believe is an origional walnut wood case.
Did these come from parker, and how would it effect the price/what would be the approximate value, if sold together?
I have attached a photo of the case.
Thank you,
Leonard

[Dean Romig]

Parkers of any grade could be ordered with any type of case that Parker offered at the time however, Parker didn't make any of the cases they supplied.

Yes, the correct period case xcan enhance the value but more so if it is mentioned in the PGCA research letter.

That one appears to be in exceptionally nice condition.

[OH Osthaus]

I would add -

if the case letters to the gun, and after staying together for over a century, please keep them together for future caretakers.

PS. Welcome to the board

[George M. Purtill Member #28]

Can you show us a picture of it opened up with gun inside?
I once bought a gun in a case just because I liked the case.
I agree with Dean- get a letter on the gun.

[Bruce Day]

What original Parker walnut cases looked like. The one is missing its round leather double handle.

Parker catalogs and The Parker Story contain illustrations of correct Parker cases and may be relied upon to determine originality.

[Bill Murphy]

Original Parker walnut cases I have seen have the double handles and swinging latches like the one Bruce shows. Let's look at the inside of your case and we'll take a look.

[Andy Kelley]

Thanks Bruce for posting the photos . I learned a lot ....how long we're these offered as an option and could they be purchased seperately without a gun order?

[Bruce Day]

Andy, the Parker catalogs are the best source for an answer to your question. My 1876 catalog does not show accessories, neither does my 1895 catalog ( which importantly states that all Parkers are made for the latest smokeless powder) . Accessories including hunting jackets, shell bags, loading tools and gun cases are only in my 1882 catalog. Every case that I have seen that matches Parker illustrations is fitted to a Parker hammer shotgun, mostly lifter action, but some top action. I have never seen a definitively Parker case with a hammerless Parker. Since they are cataloged separately, I assume they could be purchased separately from the gun. We don't know whether they are Parker produced or made by others for Parker; Parker had the ability to make them, but whether they did is unknown and subject to speculation.

Because definite Parker cases are so rare, they are prized, and most collectors want the gun/ case combination intact. Sometimes you see a loose case, but not often.
I have published case specs here before in case somebody wants to make a reproduction case.

We know that many Parkers were provided by retailers with cases, Abercrombie & Fitch being notable, others including Red Head and other quality cases. Families keep those combinations intact for many years and later purchasers sometimes mistakenly believe they are original Parker cases. They may be original to the gun, but they are not original Parker cases. Collectors often add ersatz Parker labels to a case; no true Parker case label is known, but its fun to have a nice display case with at least a fake Parker label.

The best Parker collectors of today can generally do is to find a somewhat period correct vintage case. Some of these are shabby and rotten today, but later leg of mutton cases from the 1950's are readily available, as are A & F VC ( very compact) leather trunk cases.

So, I am only able to roughly frame the years when Parker did provide original cases. Perhaps others may add their knowledge.

[Andy Kelley]

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question, I really appreciate it.regards, andy

[Leonard LaFayette]

Here is the inside view with the gun.
My letter does not state that it came with a case.
Thank you,
Leonard