BHE: Odd Gun and Odd Situation

[ArtS]

Just an interesting gun and interesting situation I thought were interesting. I discussed this with Dean a couple of times and thought I would pass it on.

A local shop had a decent CHE in stock and I went to examine it. Gun looked to be not original as to wood finish, but I believe the price could be adjusted. I thought I had found it in the rack, but when I picked it up, it was not the right gun. The manager told me it was a consignment and after several showings and no offers, the owner had picked it up. The gun I was holding was a different gun, a BHE with a straight stock. It had been left for consignment and the price was not set. The number I was given was a steal if original but it had a low grade Parker straight style stock from a different Parker. It was in good condition as was the rest of the gun in all original shape. Someone had switched the stocks. I made arrangements to come back with my tools and really examine the gun in the next 7-10 days.

When I returned, the gun was gone and the manager didn't know where it had gone. The perception was that the owner of the shop had the gun for some reason, but no one seemed to really know. Since that time, I have not seen the gun again.

The gun turned out to be interesting. It was a BHE ordered for Frank G. Simpson of Winnepeg CA the end of November 1907 and delivered the first of February 1908. It was ordered DuBray. The gun was ordered as a pigeon or target gun. No safety, straight dimensions, targeted with 1-1/4oz #4 loads. The engraving was ordered as A style all floral engraving. The gun was specified with no butt plate at all and full engraving of the entire fore end. I had to presume his intent was to install a plate or pad custom fit to his length and needs. He specified the pitch of the gun but no specific LOP. Very detailed and very specific.

Some searching revealed that he was a prominent businessman and a well known trap shooter. An article from the Manitoba Historical Society stated that he was an ardent sportsman involved in trapshooting, winning many championships; also a fisherman, golfer and hunter. His father had been the Chief Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company at one time. I found numerous records of his trapshooting experience. A pen and ink drawing from the MHS writeup portrays him as a healthy guy holding a Parker shotgun. I suspect he had several.

This is where conjecture comes in. The time line and his experience could lead you to think that he ordered the gun with the 1908 Summer Olympics in mind. I found a Google link reporting a listing with his name associated on a Canadian website of national Olympic wins. The site only listed winners, of which Canada had a lot in the shooting sports. He was not listed in the winners but with his experience it is not unreasonable to think that he was a team member that didn't compete or didn't win. Possibly he was an alternate.

I would have been great if the gun could have been documented as an Olympic competitor. However, the letter I attached makes that a hard sell. The specs on the gun show it was ordered with cast off at the heel 1/4" and cast off at the toe of 2-1/2"! I can't imagine a normal man using such a stock. The only explanation is that he ordered it for a wife or daughter. This may also explain the floral engraving specified. I have seen English guns built this way for women. This is the period of Annie Oakley and women were starting to get involved.

Whatever the situation, if the gun had it's original spec'd stock it would have been just as hard a sell as it now exists with a low grade replacement. The original stock may not have worked out at all and explain the cheap replacement. What ever the truth, I would have liked to see the original gun.