Parker Time Capsule

[Bill Murphy]

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.

[wally vernon]

Thanks for your research on James W Byrnes. The campaign button really gives me inspiration to think there must be a good deal of info on the guy. Unforunately, he is not the guy in the cabinet. Harry Truman had a "James F. Byrnes" from South Carolina on his cabinet. He could be related, though. Also "google" turns up some "Byrnes" people in St louis and elsewhere, so his decendants are probably around.

This is the fun part, maybe I'll find enough to write an article about James Byrnes and the gun.

[Double Play]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

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.

Bill,
You are correct, the Del Grego's do have the original PB jig/fixture for adding the ejector holes in nonejector frames. I recall them showing it to me years ago. I was there with 108776 which was a little early for ejectors yet the gun had them installed. I was told they were definetly done at the factory as determined by the hole locations that matched the jig and were somewhat different than on an original ejector gun. It's my belief the frames must have been annealed, drilled, and rehardened as I don't think the ability to machine hardened steel in the early 1900's was what it is today although I have no proof of that. Perhaps Austin would have some information regarding the process used to add ejectors to a gun.