A C Grade without Barrels

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Bill,

This letter came with the gun. A case is mentioned.

from: Roy W. Gunther
29 July 1993

Regarding your number 41525 with mixed damascus in one set of the barrels, I have seen this on other guns, but never a Parker. The Parkers were very frugal Connecticut Yankees and were reluctant to throw anything away. Your gun was ordered on June 2 , 1884 by a Rev. P.J. Kearney of Fulton, N.Y. The order included a case and a complete set of tools. The gun was completed on September 9, and shipped on September 27. This gun was directly ordered by Kearney and did not go through a dealer. In cases like this, the individual was always charged list price. In this case, however, Kearney received a 20% discount on the entire order. Perhaps this discount was offered because of the mismatched pattern in the 28 inch barrels. The mismatch would not have been noticed until the barrels had been completely finished and browned. At this point Parker had incurred all the expense involved in making the barrels and throwing them away would have been a complete loss. These extra barrels sold for $60. I guess they figured the discount was the better way to go. Apparently, the Reverend was happy with this arrangement.

It is just by chance that I happened to have the applicable order book here. Normally, I'm not able to get the information on specific orders.

[Bill Murphy]

Commander Gunther is a treasure as is this letter. Kevin McCormack and I lunched with the Commander the day in 1998 that he gifted the PGCA the Parker Brothers stock book copies which he had copied at great expense of time and effort. I'm sure the other members of the research committee will join me in saying "I don't know if we could have done it."

[Paul Stafford III]

I can't wait to see pictures of this wonderful reunion. As I have searched all over the 50 states I have not found my bernard barrels for my 12 ga. I suppose you must hope that eventually they pop up if they haven't found a new home. Great story!

[Bill Murphy]

Hey, Mark, the letter from Commander Gunther is great, but do you have a PGCA letter to possibly add to the provenance? Maybe we can confirm the model number of your case. The model number is mentioned on the order for my CH. It is the #38 which is a leather covered shellback case. The "shellback" refers to the provision in the lid for loose ammunition. I haven't looked at my #38 case for years, but will drag it out for Kevin to work his magic.

[Mills]

This is a great story! Hope to see pictures and an article in Parker Pages

[Dean Romig]

Paul, what is the serial number of the missing Bernard barrels?

[Paul Stafford III]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Paul, what is the serial number of the missing Bernard barrels?

It's 101184, it was an exhibition built c grade built for display purposes "per Parker letter", it's a beautiful gun that at some point was fitted with vickers steel barrels. I just wish to find the originals at any cost. It's just about restoring a classic.

[Dean Romig]

That's odd... 101184 is shown as having been made with Acme Steel barrels, does the letter state otherwise?

[Paul Stafford III]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

That's odd... 101184 is shown as having been made with Acme Steel barrels, does the letter state otherwise?

I have attached a copy of the letter.

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Paul. That's another example of the importance of getting a research letter as opposed to simply relying on the information contained in the Identification & Serialization book.

Dean