Newbie Question

[Bruce Day]

The Dunkle AAHE was pictured in DGJ maybe 10 years ago. It is the only known Parker with finger grooves. I had the pleasure of shooting it in Nebraska about 7 or 8 years ago, but not the pleasure of carrying it, while pheasant hunting and BD ( Before Dunkle) . At over 8lbs it was not designed to be a game gun.

I believe I am correct in remembering that it is the first Parker Pigeon grade gun. This was John's grandfather's gun and those of us who were present when John first saw the gun again after many years apart will never forget the moment and our joy for John.

[Labowner]

Johns beautiful gun is in DGJ volume eleven issue 3. I ordered some back issues to get Sherman Bells 2 7/8 loading data and read his article and low and behold what did I find. The pictures are outstanding, the story is lacking the input of John though.

[John D.]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

The Dunkle AAHE was pictured in DGJ maybe 10 years ago. It is the only known Parker with finger grooves. I had the pleasure of shooting it in Nebraska about 7 or 8 years ago, but not the pleasure of carrying it, while pheasant hunting and BD ( Before Dunkel) . At over 8lbs it was not designed to be a game gun.

I believe I am correct in remembering that it is the first Parker Pigeon grade gun. This was John's grandfather's gun and those of us who were present when John first saw the gun again after many years apart will never forget the moment and our joy for John.

Ummm... A couple of "nits" before we mess up the provanance of this Parker....

If the gun was "BD" - it means you shot that AAHE before 1956? I remember shooting my great-grandfather's AAHE when I was old enough to "heft it" - probably in the late sixties?? I was his only great-grandson to ever shoot it while he was alive. After his passing, it went to my Grandfather - then on to me... Sometime ago - I posted a bunch of pictures that I remember while sitting on my Great-grandfather's lap looking at "GrandPa's guns" in his "gun room" - along with shelves and shelves of trophies..

He also had the AAHE made as his double Trap Gun (as he sometimes shot doubles) - but, he didn't shoot Pigeons - he shot trap - and was Massachusetts State Champion (with 100 straight) from the meet held July 13th 1918. His score was 100 straight at that meet (he wasn't shooting his Parker for that - sorry).... He shot competitively from about 1905 through the early 20s and was a member of the Paleface Shooting Association (and consistently one of their "top guns" from about 1912 - 1920) ... As for the AAHE - it was - and is - the first vent rib double known, and as Bruce said - is the only grooved grip known...

As for how & why it left me for a few years, that's a private story, sorry.... - But for the reunion??? Bruce has that exactly right...



Bruce and to all!!

And oh - Jim?? Grandpa would have been proud to have his gun used to help out a new Parker owner... Don't you think twice about it....

John

[John D.]

Originally Posted by John Dunkle

... and was Massachusetts State Champion (with 100 straight) from the meet held July 13th 1918. His score was 100 straight at that meet (he wasn't shooting his Parker for that - sorry).... ...

And this is his picture (of my great-grandfather) from that same day. It hangs in my office over my desk.. His name was George Leland Osborn - and the AAHE was his Parker that he ordered from Parker (the picture Jim used is my picture I took of the AAHE however, not from DGJ). What is written at the bottom of the picture is:

State Championship
July 13th 1918
- Score 100 Straight -

He looks a lot younger in that pic then I remember him, 'tho

John

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

The Dunkle AAHE - At over 8lbs it was not designed to be a game gun.
.

Bruce, I've got to take exception with that statement . . . I have never shot a more well-balanced, dynamic, extension of my mind and body than that 34" magic wand. I would be surprised if carrying that gun on a morning's pheasant hunt would be at all tiring.

Over 8 lbs.?? I'll eat my grungy ol' Filsons if it is

[TARNATION !!!]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

I would be surprised if carrying that gun on a morning's pheasant hunt would be at all tiring.

That made me think of my much younger years. My Dad took me hunting from the time I could walk - a bit to my mother's consternation. I eventually was allowed to be a gun bearer - hauling a shotgun just in case it was needed while Dad had the rifle for deer, moose or elk or hauling a rifle just in case it was needed while Dad had the shotgun for ducks, geese, grouse or pheasants. I found my load to be heavy yet was longing for the day I could get a licence. When that day came, I was allowed the VH, which, for the first time for me, had the added weight of two high brass blue CIL Imperial shot shells in it. I vividly recall just how "light" that gun became that year.
Cheers,
Jack