The Parker gun buyer in 1910

[Wild Skies]

It's generally accepted that the original purchaser of a Parker Bros. gun was a more discerning and higher end buyer, do you think that those Parker gun buyers back in the early part of the 20th century gave any thought to collectibility, or was it all about the game and/or targets? When did they become collectible?

[SXS OHIO]

I think Parkers were always a special possession...a thing of quality,never a cheap item! Its first owner most likely was well off and took pride in sport. Used Parkers doubles became guns of choice after WWII when production of quality doubles in america had ended for the most part. A used Parker at this time was a great value and could be perchased right. Soon demand overwelmed suppy....plus all the known info about parker guns has become availible to us. And the internet...it all has worked to drive prices up...Today hi end guns are owned as investments, way better than other things we could have. Quality guns have proved track records sure to increase in value. I personally keep Parkers couse I like them and enjoy the whole experience of sport and ownership. thanks all SXS ohio...(-:

[J.B. Books]

Very high grade Parkers were generally treasured and there was undoubtably a small following collectors at all times but I believe following WWII up until Peter Johnson's book attracted more collector interest Parker's were seen as another out of production, tired old gun with a slower rate of fire than a repeater. Over and unders were sexier and guns like the Belgium Brownings were more highly prized at the time. Damascus and Twist Parkers were close to junk status until the late 1990's. The Delgrego family kept both interest and many guns alive through their work and source of original parts. the advent of both the internet and the PGCA has increased our knowledge and expanded the ranks of collectors. The work of Sherman Bell brought thousands of nice guns back into everyday use. It is a fascinating history of firearms manufacturing and use. The best time to buy a Parker is like the best time to plant a tree, about 30 to 40 years ago.

[Bill Murphy]

Great points, Pete. Early customers for high grade special order Parkers knew what they were doing. Some orders would have driven any gunmaker crazy, but Parker Brothers dealt with them as everyday business.

[Autumn Daze]

Pete and Bill,I think both you guy's are spot on. I have talked with many old time collectors that were buying these guns back in the 50's and 60's for a relative song as the interest in them was relatively small. As Bill stated "buyers of high grade special order Parker's knew what they wanted" I would expand on that a little. I think the shotgun shooter's in general from back in the day were very well versed on how they expected their guns to perform.

[todd allen]

I would think the buyer in 1910 would be on par with someone buying a Perazzi these days. A 1910 Parker would be a fairly state of the art shotgun, at a reasonable price.
A high grade buyer would buy for the same reasons someone would now order an SCO Grade.

[John D.]

I think you guys are right. I can not speak for 1910, but I think I can speak for 1917. When a well-heeled buyer ordered from Parker, they had delivered exactly what they wanted - to their exact specifications.

That included some very strange requests - which results today in the saying "never say never when it comes to a Parker"..

And if there were questions or changes - the factory stood behind those. That was back in the day when "customers were customers", and treated as such.

Ask me how I know...

John

[Ed Blake]

John D - That double trap of yours is the greatest shotgun I've ever laid eyes on. What a head-turner.

[Dean Romig]

Yes, John certainly knows 'from whence he speaks'. He has a unique Parker Bros. Double Trap which is the epitome of all double trap guns and, as he states, if a man was 'well-heeled' and knew what he wanted and had the means to place an order for a one-of-a-kind Parker we are blessed through John's generosity to actually heft the physical evidence that "never say never" should always be the catch phrase when discussing Parkers.

On the other hand of course, is the argument that to purchase a Trojan or a VH or a PH didn't require that a man be a "higher end buyer" (argueably more discerning perhaps) but that he be a man who knew quality and, by reputation, Reliability and if even of modest income wished to set himself off from the 'run of the mill' by owning a Parker and the best one he could afford.

[todd allen]

Has John's trap gun been posted here before?