Canadian DHE 20 No Safety Checkered Butt

[Opening Day]

Originally Posted by edgarspencer

The appearance of the checkered butt, to my eyes, suggests two possibilities. The first being the records are incorrect. The second being that the gun was returned to Meriden, for shortening. In either case, I think it is correct in every detail.
Dean, I realize your 28 skeet gun isn’t the same grade, but how do they compare?

I agree with Edgar, it looks factory to me too.

[John Gardner]

Originally Posted by Richard Flanders

That dark streak looks like part of the grain to me, an old scar perhaps.

That is correct Richard, it's part of the original grain, apologise pictures aren't crisper.

[John Gardner]

Originally Posted by Kevin McCormack

In the interest(s) of being "helpful and informative", I offer the following observations:

1) GREAT gun! I owned an identical gun for years. Same specs, checkered butt and all. The SN of this gun is framed in the production era of the then-current craze for long-barreled smallbore guns; c. 1911-1917; mine was also in the 156XXX range;

2) Long barrels, straight grips and lack of safeties do not "live bird" guns make; the discrepancy in the LOP on the gun vs. specifications in the letter could have been the result of the original stock being shortened, a pad installed then removed, etc. etc.;

3) Never waste time trying to justify, explain or convince a female ("boss", "manager", etc.) as to the propriety of trading off objects ("toys") in an attempt to balance numbers, so to speak, when procuring a new gun. Since Halloween, at least 21 deliveries from UPS, FEDEX, and USPS contract carriers trucks have darkened our driveway. Not one of them was for me.

Hope this helps; BTW, what is the long streak along the top of the right-hand side of the comb? Looks like the DAC may have been reduced (lowered) and refinished?

Thanks Kevin, I fully agree that the specs don't necessarily make it a 'live bird' gun. Thank you for the insight on the specs for the 1911-1917 era.

This makes a lot of sense to me as I have an original du Bray gun (part of his estate) which also specified common period particulars that were quite often found on a lot of the guns he promoted, sold, or bought and then sold. The reason I know it (DHE 12) was a personal keeper was that another member had the list of guns, by serial number, he had in his possession when he passed.

To my eye, which is not the equivalent to most on this forum, the stock is original and unaltered, the metal fit is just too good. If the stock was shortened by a 1/4" whoever did it was an expert - I think it probably more likely an error in the records but all things are possible. Everything else in the letter is correct.

I see we also share 'Asymmetric Delivery Syndrome' with our partners ;-) However in my case I need to seize on any chance for brownie points even if they are temporary in nature!

The long streak on right side is in the original grain of the wood possibly from the blank edge being close to the outer circumference of the tree. I see this type of 'internal damage' quite often in the maple burls I use for displaying my Parkers. See attached. Cheers JG

[John Gardner]

Originally Posted by Garry L Gordon

That's a beauty! I have one similarly configured and it's one of the best quail guns I've ever shot. The stock dimensions and chokes provide clues to its original intended use -- and of the "persuasion" of the person who ordered the gun. That's IF someone didn't alter the gun somewhere down the line. Safeties were not always preferred by hunters, so don't rule out anything. Do you have any other history on that nice little gun?

BTW, congratulations on getting a fine gun...and keeping your Boss content. Those two things are sometimes mutually exclusive.

Thank you Gary, Sorry for replying out of order here was away on the weekend and catching up. Always possible it was altered but except for LOP everything is per the Parker letter and everything appears original to gun with very little in way of 'messing about' indicated (other than metal clean up). Screws are all timed and fit of wood to metal in all areas appears unaltered. I don't have any more history at the moment but plan to reach out to a recent owner and see if he might have more information. Thank you again for input and fully concur scoring a Parker and having Boss approve is a bonus.