Parker by Peter Johnson

[Fishtail]

Bill is right, Bruce is wrong...what else is new?

[Bruce Day]

Look, I have always admired Bill's Parker knowlege. I've always felt he knows what he is talking about. This thing about Black Hole of Curatorship, well he just lifted that from somebody else who didn't get his way with the PGCA , also for damn good reasons.

So enough is enough. I've received emails from friends about not wrestling with pigs, not getting into pissing contests with skunks, etc. and they are right; I've said enough and will sign off.

[Bill Murphy]

Bruce, I have a collection of the same emails. I also have a bit more respect than you do for the person you correctly credit with the title "Black Hole of Curatorship". Regardless of how much a loose cannon he may have been for the PGCA, especially through this forum, his accusations of mistreatment by the leadership of PGCA were well founded and well documented. If you want to identify yourself as the guy who "Doesn't like Ed Muderlak" and/or "Doesn't like Bill Murphy". You may find a few who don't fully agree with you. My material is honestly acquired and freely shared. What the hell don't you like about that. Check out the article about the "Gold Hearts" gun. No, I don't know how to do pictures, but my guns and I are available for questions. Chris likes to tease me, but he has pictures of the Dupont Shooting School try gun that I provided to him. He, in turn, provided me with pictures of pro shooter Jack Fanning holding the gun. I am actually pretty cooperative with other members, including Bruce Day. In reply to Bruce's last post, I have received more PGCA member and officer emails about Bruce Day than I have on any other subject. I'm kind of glad that Bruce has promised not to reply to me and my posts. I have the last word by default. By the way, I'm also trying to share my Annie Oakley research material with the original poster. It isn't much, but it's the thought that counts.

[CSL]

Yes, I do tease Murph occasionally, and yes, we have exchanged some very interesting research over the years, but more importantly, I like O'l eightbore, I respect his gun knowledge, and the Parker world would be a less interesting place without him...

Bill, you might want to check that old Try-Gun photo again, yes the immortal Jack Fanning is in the image, but the guy actually holding the Try-Gun (standing next to Jack) is Louis III Parker's GrandDad, Lou Parker Sr... It doesn't get much better than that when it comes to great historical provenance...

Whoever it was that sent Bruce those e-mails suggesting he was a Pig or a Skunk should be ashamed of themselves..... Nuff said...

Best, CSL
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[Bill Murphy]

Chris, oh heck, even Bruce, I'm really disappointed that the Louis Parker/Curtis/Fanning/Dupont try gun isn't a C Grade so I could bring it to Louisville for the show and tell. I guess that gun, my research material, and Chris' research material and photos need to be made into a PP article.

[Peter Harris]

Enough is enough, why fall out and call people names when we all have a common interest. Lets all kiss and make up and find out about our treasures and share that knowledge with friends and enthusiasts.
I have no enemies because I only have friends.

[George Lander]

Sadley, Peter and Ed are no longer with us, but getting back to Peter Johnson (I bought his book back sometime in the 60's) he is the one who really got me interested in Parkers and I do have a few nice ones IMHO. To give Peter proper credit I believe that he was, perhaps, the only writer on the subject who was able to personally interview former Parker employees and transcribe their knowledge and memories. Or am I wrong?

Best Regards, George

[Bill Murphy]

You are correct, George. However, Mr. Johnson admits to conducting all his research from home. He worked without the advantage of email and computer and did not drive as far as I know. To confirm my statements, refer to Parker Pages articles. Sorry, I don't know the issues.

[VH20]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

You are correct, George. However, Mr. Johnson admits to conducting all his research from home. He worked without the advantage of email and computer and did not drive as far as I know. To confirm my statements, refer to Parker Pages articles. Sorry, I don't know the issues.

Not only "from home," but didn't he say strictly by mail correspondence - not even so much as a phone conversation? (At least that's what I remember...)

Jim

[Bill Murphy]

Yes, Jim, that is the way I remember it, but was afraid to spread my praise for my friend, Peter, that far without reviewing the articles. Mr. Johnson and I did not discuss "the book" that much when we would meet. I was not much of a Parker researcher in those pre-PGCA days. Mostly we would discuss guns we would see at shows. I did not own many Parkers in those days and finding more Parkers was more important to me than the history of the company. Mr. Johnson seemed similarly inclined. He was eager to learn more about the guns, having little experience with them beyond doing research for the book. I wish I had persuaded him to do what I was doing, shooting and hunting with Parkers on a weekly, sometimes daily basis.