Parker Live Bird Gun??

[Bill Murphy]

These guys who ordered these guns were trapshooters. That should explain a lot.

[Tom DeZao]

Gents,

So different configuration same question: A 20ga 1924 VHE with 28" tubes engraving over where safety would be, no high stock and certainly not a trap gun? Was there a run on these orders in 1924?

[Researcher]

More likely a plantation Quail gun. Carried empty in the saddle scabbard and only loaded when one dismounts and walks in for the flush.

[Dean Romig]

Such guns are not common but there are a good number of them. "Plantation Quail Gun" as with "Live Bird Gun" can be used to ascribe a specific purpose for which a Parker was ordered but we have seen otherwise in the 'live bird gun' category and the same holds true for a 'plantation quail gun'. I know of a certain CHE 20 gauge with a straight grip and 30" Damascus barrels that was ordered with "no safety" and was shipped to Canada. I own a GHE 16 0-frame with 28" Damascus barrels that had the safety removed, obviously by an early owner, the tang filed and a rectangular cap of gold or brass with the gentleman's initial in Olde English Script soldered in place there.

In such cases, I think the owner was just sick and tired of missing shots because he forgot to flick the safety off. He was likely a gentleman who hunted over dogs and only loaded his gun when he was about to walk in on the point with gun at the ready and muzzles up. Not necessarily on a romantic plantation quail hunt but, as well, in the North Woods for ruffed grouse, woodcock, or any of the fowls of the stubble fields.

[Tom DeZao]

Thxs for the feedback Gents the origins of the "no safety"order is very interesting!

[CSL]

Some time ago on another thread I had posted on this subject. Dave S from CT has it right.

Frank Parmalee, a high average competition shooter from Nebraska ordered his Parker's sans Dolls-Head, and he was quoted in the early gunning pulps concerning his preference of Not having that particular obstruction when loading and unloading. Below are a few top images of a Parker DH from about the same time period Frank would have ordered his "No Safety-No Dolls head" Parker. This particular DH shown below spent some time in the Pacific Northwest, and if I remember correctly, it now resides in Maryland...

Best, CSL
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[Bill Murphy]

Yup, that fine gun is now in Maryland, in the hands of a true Pigeon Gun collector. By the way, I went to look at a way interesting Pigeon Gun today. DHE 32" vent rib, ejectors, late Miller trigger, original beavertail, no safety. This is the latest no safety pigeon gun I have seen in fifty some years of collecting. Late 234,000 range. I was tempted except for the stock which has an adjustable mechanism and no drop points. The price was high and the gun was not completely original. What do you think?

[Autumn Daze]

Thanks Chris. That D grade is very interesting as I think all the "No dolls head" guns I have seen have some sort of tell tale inlay in the dolls head mortise in the frame.

[CSL]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

By the way, I went to look at a way interesting Pigeon Gun today. DHE 32" vent rib, ejectors, late Miller trigger, original beavertail, no safety. This is the latest no safety pigeon gun I have seen in fifty some years of collecting. Late 234,000 range. I was tempted except for the stock which has an adjustable mechanism and no drop points. The price was high and the gun was not completely original. What do you think?

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Appears to be an interesting Comp gun Murph, you know how the Trap & Live-Bird guys liked to modify their guns... It all sounds good, and as always, I like the "Miller-Trigger" part of the equation... What is a high price?... And, do you have photos to share of the Late 234,000 range "DHE 32" Vent/Rib Parker?

Best, CSL
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[CSL]

Having received some questions about the Parmalee photo, below are some particulars on this original 1899 image... Charles "Sparrow" Young is on Parmalee's immediate left... With thanks to "Dr. Drew Hause" for his continued research contributions... Overall image & text below...

Best, CSL
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"May 4-1899-Lincoln, Neb.--The world's record for a squad of five men, shooting at 20 targets each, made at Peru, Ind., May 3, was equaled by a squad at the Nebraska State shoot by the 5 man team of George Rogers, Lincoln, Neb.; A. B. Daniels, Denver, Col.; W. S. Duer, Hastings, Neb.; C. A. Young, Springfield, O., and F. S. Parmelee, Omaha, Neb. made a world's record of 100 straight."
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