How old was you when you bought your first Parkers ?

[Milton C Starr]

Originally Posted by Russell E. Cleary

Milton:

Four of the six Parker guns I own were legacies from my father -- Trojan 12; VH 12; VH 16 and DHE 12. In recent years I have added a GH 12 and a VH 16.

A WW II veteran, he departed from the usual path of his contemporaries by acquiring in the 1950s-1960s the Parker side-by-sides, and not repeaters, as were his buddies’ choices. Together they shot skeet and hunted Pheasant and waterfowl.

His preference for them was not because he was an antique guy, but because he was a quality guy.

Regrettably, despite my having a plethora of family photos of him, power-boating; sailing; fishing and standing near the classic airplane he restored and won prizes for, I don’t have a single one of him hunting or with a gun.

I live in a house surrounded by objects that were his and evoke his memory: furniture; photos; implements for hobbies and tools of trade; fishing gear; documents and various personal miscellany. But it is the guns that transmit the most meaningful connection to him.

As physical objects go, guns have a way of conveying in concentration a sense of its owner -- his (or her) character, experiences, relationships, and achievements, and do so inter-generationally, as best as anything I know.

I envy your early start in this and your mindful grasp of detail. Just keep it all in proportion and your rewards will be manifold.

Your Dad sounds like he was a interesting man . When I look at these old guns I often wish that the original owner had written down some of their hunts or adventures with these classics .

Something about these guns they just carry a soul to them when you carry them afield . I dont have anything against new guns either but the best way I can describe it is you cant get doubles made like this anymore really . Especially a American double .


I wish I knew what some of the original Parker owners had on their mind when ordering these guns in uncommon configurations.

From what I could find about my Parkers original owner he lived to be 86 . With this one weighing a hefty 12lbs+ I wonder how long he kept it as he got it at 27 .

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Russell E. Cleary

Milton:

Four of the six Parker guns I own were legacies from my father -- Trojan 12; VH 12; VH 16 and DHE 12. In recent years I have added a GH 12 and a VH 16.

A WW II veteran, he departed from the usual path of his contemporaries by acquiring in the 1950s-1960s the Parker side-by-sides, and not repeaters, as were his buddies’ choices. Together they shot skeet and hunted Pheasant and waterfowl.

His preference for them was not because he was an antique guy, but because he was a quality guy.

Regrettably, despite my having a plethora of family photos of him, power-boating; sailing; fishing and standing near the classic airplane he restored and won prizes for, I don’t have a single one of him hunting or with a gun.

I live in a house surrounded by objects that were his and evoke his memory: furniture; photos; implements for hobbies and tools of trade; fishing gear; documents and various personal miscellany. But it is the guns that transmit the most meaningful connection to him.

As physical objects go, guns have a way of conveying in concentration a sense of its owner -- his (or her) character, experiences, relationships, and achievements, and do so inter-generationally, as best as anything I know.

I envy your early start in this and your mindful grasp of detail. Just keep it all in proportion and your rewards will be manifold.

You are a very fortunate man.

[terc]

First Parker about 1990,I was 30 years old. Up until then I new little about Parkers. They always seemed to be something that were out of my reach.
Back then, pre-internet, gunshows were numerous and very active places. It wasn't uncommon to buy or trade a gun then flip it at the same show.
I was at a show in Greensburg PA. I had just traded up to a little Browning Citori, English grip gun. Walking past a table back in the corner an older gentleman, Bill Ault, had a table full of Parkers.
I walked out of the show without the Browning, but with a little 20g Trojan. That was the start. A few weekends later at a show in Harrisburg PA I thought I was trading up to a nice 16ga VH from the Hartman Bros. ,Elmira Arms, well it was my first learning experience with Parker condition. I wish I new were my first Parker is now.

[Twoatlow8]

Originally Posted by Dave Tercek

First Parker about 1990,I was 30 years old. Up until then I new little about Parkers. They always seemed to be something that were out of my reach.
Back then, pre-internet, gunshows were numerous and very active places. It wasn't uncommon to buy or trade a gun then flip it at the same show.
I was at a show in Greensburg PA. I had just traded up to a little Browning Citori, English grip gun. Walking past a table back in the corner an older gentleman, Bill Ault, had a table full of Parkers.
I walked out of the show without the Browning, but with a little 20g Trojan. That was the start. A few weekends later at a show in Harrisburg PA I thought I was trading up to a nice 16ga VH from the Hartman Bros. ,Elmira Arms, well it was my first learning experience with Parker condition. I wish I new were my first Parker is now.

The Hartman boys taught many people lessons.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Scott Janowski

The Hartman boys taught many people lessons.

I assume you mean the Hartman's gave people "negative lessons" shall we say ?

[Twoatlow8]

Originally Posted by CraigThompson

I assume you mean the Hartman's gave people "negative lessons" shall we say ?

I will say it is hard to get on the better side of a deal with them.

[George "Scott" Davis]

Sorry, everyone for my miss spelling!!! His name was Paul Fuchs and some of you may remember him from his days at the Browning Customer Shop. Sorry for my inappropriate spelling and I apologize if I offended anyone.

[Scott Barter]

Hello everyone!
New Parker owner and new member too! Thought I would go all in. I’m 56 and just bought my first Parker. I’m cross eyed dominant so shotgunning has been a challenge for me but I am learning lots of ways to adapt and know what I need to shoot well. Honestly I always thought Parker’s were a bit clunky but i’ve Learned now that there are some s great handling ones to. I just bought a 12 ga VH. Yes common except this one is built on a 1 frame and fits me well with 141/2 LOP and only 2 1/4 DAH! Has very nice wood and a lot of CC left as well. I couldn’t pass it up for a late season pheasant gun. I have a lot of shotguns and lately I’ve been buying and selling several to refine my collection to classic guns with great dimensions. I just bought a 20 superposed with 28 inch tubs and it only has 2 1/4 drop too!
Really great forum. I think I would like a Parker 16 to round things out! Has to have little drop which is the challenge, but I am patient!

[charlie cleveland]

welcome if you buy one parker you will have to buy another one thats just the way it is....charlie

[Milton C Starr]

Originally Posted by charlie cleveland

welcome if you buy one parker you will have to buy another one thats just the way it is....charlie

I can see that being the case ! , I have been looking at a few that I wouldnt mind getting . The 16 ga and 20 ga PH twist barreled Parkers I have seen are a bit expensive but eventually I would like to get those to go with the 10 ga .

Theres a multitude of doubles I would like to get as I start my collection .
For some reason I always wanted a Beretta 410 10 ga . I have a hard time focusing on what I want next haha .