Suponski's Trap Gun Day One Grand American 1926

[J. Scott Hanes]

He sold it to me! That was about 10-11 months ago. It still has a trigger issue in that it will only fire the first shot if the selector is R-L but it will fire both shots if the selector is set L-R. The safety is also a bit loose so I will at some time get it looked at.

I do have some refined history of this great Parker Trap 221256. In March I took the gun to Ohio for the Old Pat's Society Spring outing. The Hunt Club we used one day is owned by the grandson of Bart Rockwell Saxbe (1882-1972) and son of William Bart (Bill) Saxbe (1916-2010). His name is Charles Rockwell Saxbe but goes by "Rocky". I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Rocky one evening at dinner and he was elated to see his father's gun again. Yes, the Parker was his father's. Rocky's grandfather, Bart, always shot an LC Smith at trap so the accomplishments noted about Bart at the Grand American were shot with that LC, not the Parker.

Rocky fondly remembered the Parker and related some of the stories of him traveling around the midwest with Bill and the glory days in the 1960's. He did not remember shooting the Parker much but used his Mother's Model 12 Winchester most of the time.

The history is now up to date prior to Mr. Murphy's purchase and we have a complete history on the gun since he bought it and passed it on to Mr. Suponski. I have the original Trap wood with William Saxbe's name on the shield and the ejector parts if ever needed. I am afraid the old wood is too damaged to repair but will keep it for now and one day inquire of one of the wood geniuses whether there is any hope for it. The current wood, as noted earlier, is more field dimensioned so that will have to be addressed if I were to use it for Trap doubles.

At any rate, that is the current history on the "Saxbe" Parker. Thanks to Mr. Murphy for resurrecting the thread.