Hi all, a few quick weeks have gone by and I have received the letter from The PGCA.
Parker shotgun, serial number 179319, was ordered by Wm. Read & Sons, Inc. of Boston, MA of September 4, 1918 and shipped on November 20, 1918. According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 99, it was a SA grade, Single Barrel Trap Gun, 12-guage. It featured fluid steel barrels with a length of 32 inches. Special instructions were: cheek piece, 2 Lyman sights, Silvers rubber butt, and to pattern to fill a 30'' circle at 35 yards and to shoot as high as can.
The price was $275.00
According to Parker Bros. Stock Book No. 63, the stock configuration was a capped pistol grip and its specifications were: Length of pull: 14 1/2'' , Drop at Comb, 1 1/8'' , Drop at Heel : 1 3/4'', weight : 7 pounds and 12 ounces.
It amazing to have this resource and get this original information. I wonder what the experts here can glean from this.
a few questions if anyone has input: fluid steel barrels? i found a post that this was the early description of Vulcan ? Gun says ACME .. Silvers rubber butt ? Is the pattern request unique ? I found the 'shoot as high as can.' interesting.. this leads me to believe they ordered the gun for a specific shooter - and not just something to have in the shop.
The other VH guns I have from that period were in the $60 range - so someone was willing to pay 4X that for a special gun. That is pretty impressive- or possibly that was the price to the reseller and the end customer paid even more ?
Anyone know if WM Read & Sons knows who the guns went to when sold / guessing that is lost to time at this point.
Last thought - I would appreciate any thoughts on proper care and servicing of this gun to ensure it is preserved properly going forward.
-David
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