My Conversation with Simmons - Page 3

Ed Blake · 05-13-2014, 12:38 PM

I may be the only person to get anything out of the Simmons/Parker project, and that was only because the guy who started the project, Reggie Jamison, stuck by his word to me and had the project finished by Brad Bachelder. It started out as a O-frame 16 gauge hammer gun with badly pitted barrels. When finished I got a 32" mono-blocked 20 gauge O-frame hammer gun. The rib has the proper matting with a Parker roll mark on top of the rib. The matting, roll-marking, barrel striking, or the mono-blocking were done nicely. There is only the faintest ripple in the barrels where they had to be contoured. Original forend fits the new barrels. Swings great and is death on doves and clays. I should send it to Mr. Dudley for a new stock. I've never posted pictures because I could never get good detail of the barrels or the rib. It was in Sanford last year and a few people have seen it.

Dean Romig · 05-13-2014, 01:15 PM

David, was it your choice to send them to Brad or is that where the (formerly) Simmons Parker barrel project ended up and your projects simply went along with everything else?

C grade · 05-13-2014, 02:09 PM

Dean
My opinion of Reggie differs from my good friend Ed. Reggie took over the project from Simmons and was intending on having several shops complete the work. He would not tell me who had my gun, but a friend whispered it to me. I contacted Brad and he admitted that Reggie had given him my gun and the Simmons parts. I never did get all my $5000 deposit back from Simmons. I discussed this with the new owner and was told to contact the past owner. I did, repeatedly, and got all but $800 back in work or $$$. When it came time to pay Brad, Reggie claimed he was owed thousands for work he had had down on my gun. The former Simmons owner showed me where he had already paid Reggie for that work and Brad removed it from my bill. Live and learn!!
I do now have a treasured Parker Bros 28ga / 20 ga two barrel hammergun.

David

Dean Romig · 05-13-2014, 02:19 PM

David, that's essentially what I had heard but didn't want to spill the beans, so to speak, in case Brad hadn't made it public knowledge yet. That was very kind of Brad.

I think I've seen the gun... if not, please show it to me next time we meet up.

Best, Dean

Ed Blake · 05-13-2014, 03:28 PM

Yes, David had a difficult time with his project. Me, I got lucky, which is better than being smart or good looking.

Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile) · 05-13-2014, 05:57 PM

The Parker Barrel project is still alive and well. I have been quiet about the status due to the fact that we would be overwhelmed with orders and not able to deliver.
It has been a long painfull road, but we currently have the programs for the various mono-blocs, top and bottom rib profiles, matting program and tube suppliers. We purchased a precision German Gun Drill and are working on fixtuering. The goal is to build barrels of the same quality and configuration of the originals. Quality and performance are second to none.
I can't give an accurate time frame for the start of production. We are still Setting up from the move. I can say that Parker Barrels will be the first ones that we run. I will keep our members posted. Thanks,

Brad

Bill Murphy · 05-13-2014, 06:27 PM

Brad, you are the man. I want to work for you. However, I can't afford to. Like my last job, I never took a paycheck, only took guns and gunsmithing in payment.

Dean Romig · 05-13-2014, 06:59 PM

Thanks Brad for the very kind post on the progress of the project.
I didn't want to 'out' the rumor that it was your shop that had taken it on but now you've made it public and we can all respect all that you have gone through to get it all set up and be operational.

It is a very worthy project and will put a lot of nice old Parkers with bad barrels back in service for another century or two.

Best, Dean

Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile) · 05-13-2014, 08:54 PM

Thank you Dean, As you know, my company is driven by the salvation of the heritage that is American Craftsmanship. I will direct my staff to gain the love and appreciation that I have for vintage firearms. Everyone that we save contributes to perserving firearms that will never be made again. Given the state of modern guns, I think it is worth it.

Brad

Robert Delk · 05-13-2014, 08:59 PM

I always dreamed it would happen given the ingenuity of our gunsmiths: New barrels for Parker shotguns.I know a 10 bore C grade owner that will be very happy when this comes to fruition.