If every old Parker (or any other old double for that matter) could talk what a story they could tell. My favourite mystery Parker is a 20 bore DHE that I purchased at auction from Holt's in London, England. It was built on a "O" frame with 30 inch Titanic Steel barrels, splinter forearm, straight handed stock with chequered butt. SN is 213884. The barrel flats are covered with London proof marks.
The Parker Research Letter contained only the information that my gun was "completed on September 10, 1925. According tp Parker Bros. Stock Book No. 75 it was a DHE hammerless, 20 gauge. It featured Titanic Steel Barrels with a length of 30 inches and 2 5/8 inch chambers. It's stock configuration was straight grip. According to Parker Bros. Stock Book No. 75, it's specifications were: Length of Pull: 15 3/8 inches, Drop at Comb: 1 1/8 inches, Drop at Heel: 3 1/4 inches, weight 6 pounds 8 ounces. The price listed in the January 1, 1925 price list for a DHE Grade was $166.00." According to Mr. Conrad that is all the information that was available on the gun.
Engraved on the oval initial plate on the stock is: "2"
"S.D. McGRAW"
"N.Y."
I would dearly love to find out more about this gun. Who was S.D. McGraw? How did it end up in England & why did it go through proof? I know that there was a professional baseball manager named McGraw with one of the New York teams during the 20's & wonder if this could have been him. I tried Googleing the name but came up with very little. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Best Regards, George
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