Hi David,
The impetus was simply holding a Parker for the first time. I just loved everything about it. It was a plain steel barrel with no engravings, very simple everything, hammered, from the late 1800s and very rustic looking. When I held it, I just imagined who had held it originally, maybe even close to where I was standing. It was made just a short distance away. It was even before the damascus was popularly used for barrels on these guns. The stamps identified the inspector and I researched as much as I could about the gun. It brought history to life. I grew up in a house that was built in 1760 in CT. I held the gun and I pictured the family that owned this gun- it was their lifeline. It was food, protection, security in a very scary place and time, I imagine. The fact that it was still here, close to where it began, passing hands and keeping the stories and the history and the memories of everyone who came before alive - whether good or bad- it was a powerful connection and a feeling that I wanted to have more. More stories, more history, more connection. Every Parker I come across has different features that reflect their owners. From the engravings to the wood, the barrels, the triggers, and right up to the care of the gun. And now I realized you asked me a very simple question and I've been rambling on ...
You won't make that mistake again
Thanks for asking, though!