What would you order?

[Eldon Goddard]

I was reading the thread about Cliff Greens Parkers and it got me wondering what I would order if I had been around back then. I think the best return on your investment would be low grade sub gauges. Knowing myself I would probably order something rediculous like a grade 7 8 gauge or a 7 frame 12 gauge. Well if you had a time machine and a big hunk of vintage cash what would you order?

[OH Osthaus]

The reason small bores are valuable now is that they were ordered less then.

I doubt many, even the higher grades were bought as investments

[edgarspencer]

D grades. Every possible configuration, in all gauges.

[Ray Masciarella]

I'm with Edgar in that I would need more than one!

16 ga, 1 frame, D6, 30" with the nicest wood in stock. The floor plate would have to be engraved with something cool, not the three stag stuff.

10ga, 2 frame, B5 (wouldn't that be cool), 32" with wild turkeys on floor plate.

8 ga, big frame, B4, 36" with ducks on floor plate.

How much money do I have? Can I keep buying!

[Bruce Day]

The big hunk of vintage cash is the sticking point, seeing as how a really finely made Parker AHE 28ga is still being made today, with few takers. Most people today have more disposable income than they did in the time Parkers were being made in Meriden and Ilion. My first job as a second lieutenant, I started at $6500/year in 1969 and thought I was doing well over contemporaries. Now what is that, a couple weeks income for many still working?

Still, its pleasant to consider. If you look at the production figures, 12ga guns were way more popular than small bores, popularity decreasing with bore size, but there were a significant amount of mid to high grade small bores that seemed to have been bought by knowledgeable sportsmen. Some of those had details that I think were likely specified.

So, assuming I had the money, $125 back then, a lot, I'd still get a C small bore. And I'm fortunate to have gathered exactly what I wanted, from top, CHE 20, CHE 16, CHE 16, with PG, 28", standard weight, SSBP, DT's, splinter forend, in 1904-5 fine scroll engraving detail, as these are. But I'm missing that 20ga Bernard, none found yet, so I'd order one in 26" game gun, tapered rib, long lever, ribbed safety slide and specify not only early century engraving style, but additional engraving details on the frame, butt plate and TG, and upgraded PG French walnut. Of course a 16ga Bernard top action hammer would be nice too if i could put together another $125, a month's pay for many. Too bad none were made.

[chris dawe]

I'm close on Bruce's heels,mine would be a C grade deep relief style engraveing ,16 bore on a #1 frame ,two barrel set 30" (f&m)for ptarmigan and 27" ( none&sk) for old ruff , double triggers ,extractors,pow grip, skeleton butt,14 1/2 lop,2 3/4 at heel,

I'm getting excited ,I can't wait till it gets here!!!

[Jared V.]

I'd probably order a vent rib Damascus GHE 12 guage with 32" barrels, double triggers and a splinter FE.....

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

So, assuming I had the money, $125 back then, a lot, I'd still get a C small bore.

Yeah, What was I thinking? I'd get high grade small bores too. Probably a few of those elusive 28s, maybe a .410 for that still-hoped-for grandson

Originally Posted by Ray Masciarella

How much money do I have? Can I keep buying!

As much as you want, Ray. We're only dreaming here, so dream like you robbed a bank.

Bruce, you're a bigger man than me. Plus you've got all those pheasants, so 2 frames are what you need. Out here, all I hunt anymore is upland, so I need to conserve calories for climbing over scrub, not carrying iron. I will admit, the tubes on my dream guns would be longer than what was in style 10 years ago.
Back to reality, I'd be struggling to save enough to buy a Trojan. If my Governor keeps it up, even that would be too elusive.

[Bruce Day]

You have the wrong guy, Edgar. I am almost exclusively a prairie game hunter, and prefer a well choked #1 frame, 28" 16ga for pheasant and prairie grouse. A #2 frame 12 gets a bit much for me to carry all day.

After over a foot of snow on the ground and still coming, I hope the pheasant make it. The grouse, buffalo and antelope always survive as long as we preserve the habitat and the wild places. I have had the privilege to hunt birds where you see buffalo and antelope, no fence posts or telephone poles, few roads and no other hunters. Its like stepping back over 100 years.

[Ray Masciarella]

Ok Edgar, then add to may order an AAH grade Top Action in 20 ga damascus 28" barrels.

When do we send our orders in? Can we just order them over the internet so they get it quickly?