Common Parker

[terc]

I found this little Parker at a gun show near Pittsburg a few months ago. It was being sold by the grandson of the original owner. The gun actually looks better in hand than on the photos.It weighs in at 7 lbs. with 30" barrels on a #1 frame.
Dave

[Labowner]

Nice find Dave, tell us a little more about gun can't read letter. Looks to be in high condition. Is the case period to gun? Bob

[terc]

Bob, I resized the photos.They are larger now,but not as clear as I would like.I guess I need to take more time when taking them.
The gun is in great condition.It is as tight as any I've held. W S Brown was a large sporting goods store in 1890.I don't know if the case and cleaning equiptment were bought at that store, with the gun or not. Everything is original and correct according to the letter. I think I should shoot it soon.
Dave

[Bruce Day]

Dave, a fine gun with interesting barrels. I have seen that damascus pattern before, so its one of the varients, and a nice one. Looks to be a keeper.

[Dean Romig]

Dave, can you post a sharper image of thar Damascus pattern?
Thanks, Dean

[terc]

Dean,
A few pics of the barrels.

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Dave. From a distance it looks unusual but with these closer shots I don't see anything especially different in that Damascus pattern. Very nice original finish.

Dean

[Lon E. Morris]

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I thought I would try out the picture posting and will use my GH as the guinna pig. She is definitly a "working girl" and not a "closet queen"! 12 gauge shipped May 12, 1899 to A.G. Spaulding and Bros. in Chicago. 28" Damascus, half grip, with a Silvers Pad. RH choke 225 #7 in a 30 inch circle at 40 yards LH 250 #7 30" At 40 yards. LOP 131/2, DOH 21/4 and weighs 6 pounds 10 ounces. $80 bucks plus $3 for the Silvers Pad. She is on a number 1 frame. I bought her a couple of years ago off of the internet, with the old pad and loose on the face. I sent her to Brileys and had a 11/2" period pad (imitation Silvers from CSMC) installed, so she is now 14"LOP, and locks up like a vault. Shoots really nice patterns, and is a joy to carry. Lon.

[Dean Romig]

Ross, a very nice example of an early hammerless grade 2. The engraving motif is carried over from the grade 2 hammer guns, without the oval vignette on the sides of the frame to contain the 'game scene' (virtually always a pair of birds on each side) - it wasn't but a couple of years until the oval vignette was introduced on the grade 2 hammerless.