Parker No. 72405

[Gerald McPherson]

My Goodness Harry that is great. Did Bill do that? Gerald

[Harry Reed]

Indeed! I was impressed the minute I saw it. He is a craftsman.

[Bill Murphy]

Do we get to share in the information about the original purchaser?

[Harry Reed]

I do not know who the original purchaser is. The PGCA letter states it was ordered by Buhl Sons & Co, Detroit MI, 1893. In doing the restoration the plate in the stock still has some cursive script initials I cannot make out. I beleive they are FSB. I bought the Parker in the 80's from Hershal Chaddick, Terrell TX. We corresponded by mail and phone about this Parker. At NO time did Hershal ever disclose the damage to the left barrel. Needless to say, after several exchanges by mail and phone with Chaddicks, I sent the funds to purchase. After receipt and inspection I felt screwed. Their position was the Parker was priced accordingly and my expectations were not realistic. He would not consider my return of the Parker. So, I put it in the back of my safe and time has passed. I never thought the barrel could be repaired! Chaddicks, at that time was well known for trading Parkers and other vintage shotguns. I don't know if they even still exist. At that time, Hershal was reluctant to disclose the origin of the shotgun or who he acquired it from. I can understand that if the seller requested to be anonomous.

This is why forums like this and feedback on auction sites are so valuable to folks when buying firearms.

Harry

[Harry Reed]

I am curious? Has anyone on this site ever had any dealings with Chaddicks, or, Chadicks?

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Harryreed

I am curious? Has anyone on this site ever had any dealings with Chaddicks, or, Chadicks?

30 years ago. NEVER again!

[Bill Murphy]

I have a file of letters back and forth from Herschel and the previous owner, a friend of mine. Hershel sold him a fake, cut skeet gun that a child would proclaim a fake. Herschel refused to take it back after a long correspondence. It was advertised as a skeet gun in his ad, which I still have. It's a nice gun, but at serial number 207,672, it's no skeet gun. The barrels were taken out to about .742 to reclaim some choke. Herschel knew it was a bad gun and he found a sucker to send a check. Once he had the check, the deal was done. My friend had to lowball the gun to a dealer, from whom I bought the gun, a cut 26" DHE with Parker single trigger and factory beavertail, for $1500.

[Bruce Day]

Mr Chaddick is elderly and in poor health. Hershel was always personable and friendly toward me and I was pleased to know and deal with him. I bought one gun from him, a C grade that was correct, fair priced and in higher condition than stated. It remains an important gun for me today and within a few years, I could have sold it for more than I paid.

I visited Hershel in his shop and later his residence in Terrell,Texas, went to lunch with him and listened intently to his explanations of Parkers, the Parker gun business and stories of his life in the trade.

Chaddicks advertised in the early Parker Pages, he was a supporter of the PGCA and gave a presentation at an early annual meeting when we had them in Ohio. Other dealers and well known auction houses have similarly been generous in their support.

Many of the highest grade Parkers that are in important collections today passed through Terrell, Texas.

Thanks Hershel.

[Harry Reed]

Thanks so much for the replys. I was quite bitter after my experience with Hershal. But, for me now, it has worked out. I guess time time cures all.

Harry

[Harry Reed]

BD,

That is a nice Parker!!!