Parker Time Capsule

wally vernon · 08-17-2010, 06:39 PM

Here is a pic of a swivel on one of the barrels. The pic is just a detail of a larger pic and as such, not of the greatest quality.

Also, as far as I know,the person who (falsely) claimed to have a letter on my gun is listed as a 'forum member" but he may be a PGCA member. I am not trying to start anything with him, so I will not name names. I just wanted to set the record straight on this wonderful piece of Parker history.

I am proud to be a member of this august group and have had the opportunity to meet a few of you at shows and even hunted once with Destry and his dad ( Fine gentlemen, btw). I really appreciate the kind words about this gun and the help you have given me in researching the original owner. I am in this for the history , beautiful guns, and the friends I have been able to make along the way.

Here is the butt

Double Play · 08-17-2010, 07:20 PM

Wally,
I find it interesting that your barrel attachment is of a somewhat different style than mine. Also my gun was built six years after yours yet the cost of the swivels dropped to $3.50. Do you have the original swivels?

wally vernon · 08-17-2010, 07:50 PM

What I have is what is shown. I assume you are asking if I have the "hooks" that go into the "eyes". If that is what you are asking, then no, I do not. I will say that the hook and eye sling swivels on old Winchesters look a lot like these.

Double Play · 08-18-2010, 09:56 AM

Yes Wally it was the hooks that I was referring to. I tried the front hook on the rear mounting eye and it fit so I assume the gun came with two hooks. I need to find another one or will have to try to make a replacement.

Bill,
The letter for the pictured gun is shown below.

Austin W Hogan · 08-18-2010, 11:26 AM

Larry ; real oil finish is scarce on Parkers. Oil finishes were time consuming but are really a superior finish with the final coats rubbed out with rottenstone to produce that egg shell sheen.

Best, Austin

Double Play · 08-18-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin W Hogan

Larry ; real oil finish is scarce on Parkers. Oil finishes were time consuming but are really a superior finish with the final coats rubbed out with rottenstone to produce that egg shell sheen.

Best, Austin

Austin,
I find it interesting that Parker Brothers would take the time and expense and offer the oil finish without an extra charge. Also it still amazes me that ejectors cost an additional 25% of the cost of the entire gun.

Bill Murphy · 08-18-2010, 11:32 AM

The Winchester style hooks that Wally is referring to and which I referred to are not of the style that Larry pictures. I have the style that Larry pictures on my 32" DHE, but I think the Winchester hooks may also fit. The Winchester hooks are much more convenient on a shotgun because they are "quick detachable" unlike the European style swivels that are not easily detachable. Thank you both for posting the letters for your great guns.

CSL · 08-18-2010, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wally vernon

This gun letters all the way!!! I had a "forum member" try to talk me out of the gun at a cheap price because he siad he had a letter on the gun and it was cut on both ends. I am not attempting to sell the gun but I want to post this letter so the "gentleman" can see what he aint getting!

Also, as far as I know, the person who (falsely) claimed to have a letter on my gun is listed as a 'forum member" but he may be a PGCA member.

I really appreciate the kind words about this gun and the help you have given me in researching the original owner. I am in this for the history, beautiful guns, and the friends I have been able to make along the way.

__________________________________________

Wally, Interesting and Sad that someone here claimed to have a "letter" and information on your Parker that diminished it's originality, which was then followed by a Low-Ball offer to buy it from you.... Unfortunately yours is not an isolated incident, I've also experienced this first hand, and have spoken to several others here with similar accounts of someone who claimed to have certain (misleading & false) Parker information in a dishonest attempt to buy their guns on the cheap...

On a brighter note, you certainly have found a great 2-barrel set with some outstanding history... Please keep us updated on any further provenance you might discover on James W. Byrnes in the future... You mentioned earlier that you were "in this for the history"..... The campaign photo image below indicates James W. Byrnes was a candidate for Mayor of St Louis in the early 1920's... Hope this helps put a face to the man who originally ordered your very unique DHE....

Best, CSL
__________________________

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Austin W Hogan · 08-19-2010, 08:09 AM

I think I remember a James Byrne who was an often cited cabinet member during World War II.

Best, Austin

Bill Murphy · 08-19-2010, 08:52 AM

Dean and Larry, I remember a conversation I had with Larry Del Grego Sr. in 1972, (summarized in the letter he sent to estimate the job) when I had asked him to install ejectors in my VH 28 gauge. He said he would do it, but wouldn't recommend it or like it. He did reluctantly quote me a price. Not too much later, as I recall, the Del Grego firm started refusing such work. Some think it was because of the scarcity of parts. I suspect it may have been because of the difficulty of drilling the holes in the front of the receiver. Ruin one A Grade receiver and it takes all your profit away from the last fifty jobs.