Parker sign?

[Robert Delk]

I have seen first hand signs from Fox and Smith and several from Winchester and I can't believe that Parker would use something as crude as this sign appears to be in photos. I can't comment on the signs you refer to but I would bet that close up they are not as crude as they appear in the photo.There was always some attempt at at decoration on turn of the century signs and as I stated sign makers were artists and took great pride in their work.The art of chromolithography came into full flower in the late 1800's and was used by most companies to advertise their wares. it was inexpensive and there was a lot of competition to come up with the most artistic and eye catching motifs for the public view. The original are always better than the repro's but there are a lot of ersatz tin signs advertising guns that don't look to bad on the wall but you should see an original in good shape!