RARITY OF PARKER LIVE PIGEON GRADES

[CSL]

Jeff,
There was an Oliver W. Gaines, who was the son of long time Parker employee Leroy J. Gaines... Research indicates early on Oliver spent some time as a bookkeeper in the service of the Charles Parker Co, and he may have studied a few years at Yale University (1893-94)... Both Oliver and his father Leroy also participated in shooting events at the Meriden Parker Gun Club during the late 1890's... Later on in life Oliver went into the insurance business and he resided in the Worcester area... A brief reference to Oliver's father Leroy (who started as a clerk in the Parker Gun Department) can be found on page #554 of TPS... Hope this helps with some history on your VH 20...

Best, CSL
____________________________

[Bill Murphy]

O.W. Gaines was a Parker Brothers employee in marketing until 1906 when there is evidence that he resigned. His name shows up as a PB representative at least back into the mid 1890s. He was an active promoter of the Pigeon Gun when it was being introduced. This information mostly came from a search for "gaines" in Sporting Life magazine on the la84foundation.org website.