New Member, Inherited Parker

Mark Conrad · 05-04-2012, 10:43 AM

Typical trapshooters gun. They keep changing the gun to hit more targets when the problem is the guy pointing the gun.

The gun left the factory with a vent rib, SST, trap forend, cpg. The early SST's were poor and it looks like Miller put the early trigger in with the selector in the safety. Then a release and now double triggers. Too bad the wood has been altered.

Mark

waclifton · 05-04-2012, 10:55 AM

Sorry Mark, but I have to take exception to your unkind remark. It's like saying "don't tune the engine in your race car . . you're not winning races because you're a bad driver".

When the previous owner passed, and we cleaned his house, we had to toss at least a hundred trap-shooting trophies and awards. I remember one that said he was Pennsylvania Live Bird Shooting Champion. Many, many, said "200 out of 200". You don't get those awards by "uselessly tuning your instrument"!!

CSL · 05-04-2012, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waclifton

It's like saying "don't tune the engine in your race car . . you're not winning races because you're a bad driver".

When the previous owner passed, and we cleaned his house, we had to toss at least a hundred trap-shooting trophies and awards. I remember one that said he was Pennsylvania Live Bird Shooting Champion. Many, many, said "200 out of 200". You don't get those awards by "uselessly tuning your instrument"!!

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Using another car analogy. For some shooters, removing a Miller single trigger from a Parker and replacing it with double triggers would be like taking the 427/435hp tri-power motor out of a 1967 Corvette and replacing it with a 283/185hp 2 barrel from 1957. In other words it would be like uselessly de-tuning your instrument, but you would get better gas mileage.

... As mentioned earlier, hope it wasn't a Miller that DelGrego removed...

To some folks in the double gun world, a Miller trigger is a special option that could enhance the value and appeal of an early Parker trap gun... How long ago was it that DelGrego removed the single trigger from your BHE?.. Maybe you could ask him if he still has it or remembers what type of trigger it actually was?...

As for the many trophies and awards you mentioned, such as "Pennsylvania Live Bird Shooting Champion", it would be a damn shame if they indeed went into the trash. Some of those items may have also added greatly to the provenance and value of your Parker... What was the mans name who won all of the trophies and awards?... Perhaps we can provide you with some additional information on his past shooting history and achievements...

Best, CSL
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waclifton · 05-04-2012, 02:54 PM

First of all, the man's name was William J. Wise (Bill).

Please keep in mind that we're not collectors, and we were just a family cleaning out a house to sell. The trophies and awards were memories of his, and meant much less to us. The decisions to toss were pragmatic ones, based on the thought of where to store all that stuff. Our thoughts at the time were focused on trying to sell a quarter million dollar house, and not in adding a thousand or two in future value to a gun.

And as far as "de-tuning" a car -- I should mention that I just replaced a six-cylinder in my '57 Chevy with a built 350, so you were more accurate than you knew. But I digress . .

The comment that I originally reacted to was aimed at the previous owner and how his tweaking the gun was an effort to improve what was a poor shooter. My reaction was to explain that even a concert musician occasionally tunes his/her instrument. My conversion, not Bill's, to double triggers, was simply a safety issue (in my mind), and not to improve any shooting ability (of which I have none). In my entire 50+ hunting years, I've never been known to hit anything in the air. Never.

As far as anyone remembering Bill, here is a picture of him - and My Great Aunt:

Pa SxS · 05-04-2012, 04:12 PM

Wayne,

Please don't take offense to what Mark Conrad said. He wasn't directing his comments to you or William Wise. What he said is something that every long time trapshooter has done. Search for that extra target. They will go to any length to get that 1 out of 1000 extra target that may win for them and that includes modifying $10k+ shotgun with every gadget known to man. Ask me how I know

For most of us (William Wise is an exception) it's a fruitless pursuit. The old adage is true. It's the Indian, not the arrow! My apologies to any Indians out there!

waclifton · 05-21-2012, 10:48 AM

For anyone still interested, I finally have the official details on the BHE - from a PGCA Research Letter.

BHE hammerless
12-gauge
Optional single trigger
Trap forend
Ventilated rib
Acme steel
32-inch barrels
2 5/8" chambers
Capped pistol grip
Length of pull - 14 1/2"
Drop at comb - 1 5/8"
Drop at heel - 2 1/4"
Weight - 7 pounds, 15 ounces
Completed - January, 1927
Pricing - $313, plus $24 (trap forend), $39 (ventilated rib)

I hope that corrects all of the discussions to-date.

And just one more question: The PGCA web page discusses "Repair Codes", and I was wondering if there is somewhere I should look to see if I have any of those.

Thanks again for all of your help, advice, and suggestions. It's been a great learning experience.

Wayne