Questions about Parker 1/2 frame guns

[Reggie B]

I believe that Champlin gun had been restored to some extent as well if memory serves me. Other than that gun I only recall one other 1/2 frame gun being on the market, I think Steve Barnett had it but don't hold me to that. And it sold quickly as well.

[Pa SxS]

Who sold the Champlin gun and who was Champlin?

[Reggie B]

Champlin Firearms out of Oklahoma.

[Kevin McCormack]

I think the 1/2 frame guns are part of the Parker Mystique, and the people I know that have bought them did so for all the right reasons - as George set forth in his post. Although I have never owned a 1/2 frame gun, I have purchased the equivalent(s) for most of the same reasons - scarcity/rarity, uniqueness, etc. I recently bought a Fox 'Pin Gun' simply because I didn't have one in my lineup of graded Foxes and I wanted an early Sterlingworth in good condition that I could shoot. I think a lot of "half-framers" are motivated by similar drives.

[Bill Murphy]

Great comments, Kevin. Rarity and whatever will drive a buyer. However, it goes farther than that. The 1/2 frame is often lighter and handier than any other 12 gauge. My DHE 1/2 frame weighs about 6 1/2 pounds with its 28" barrels and 00 size buttstock. It's skeleton buttplate is smaller than I have seen on any other Parker. Could you get that combination any other way in a 12 gauge Parker? Further, it is a useful base for your leftover #1 frame 16 gauge barrels. Yup, they fit on a 1/2 frame 12 gauge gun. My DHE 2 barrel set is a joy to shoot, either way it is assembled, 16 or 12 gauge, it weighs 6 1/2 pounds. My other 1/2 frame is from our founder, Forrest Marshall, and is a Del Grego gun in VHE grade, just as nice as my DHE. Both are single trigger ejector guns, which is another reason to pursue a 1/2 frame. I believe Mr. Reynolds has both of my serial numbers for his research.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Chuck Bishop

I too would like to know if you would pay more if the gun were a 1/2 frame versus say the 1 1/2 frame that was popular in that time frame assuming the same condition. On the plus side, Remington did use nicer wood on their guns than Parker did. I would consider them scarce but not rare but it depends on your interpretation of those words. Can anyone find asking or actual selling prices for these 1/2 frames?

No, I wouldn't pay more.

Remington used nicer figured wood on Parkers only up to grade 2 guns but on grade 3 and above they often used American Black Walnut instead of the European (or Circassian) walnut that Parker Brothers used.





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[Kevin McCormack]

What Dean said - Remington-era Parkers, especially in the early years after the buyout, show some spectacular wood on lower grade guns, especially GH. They were simply using up existing inventories of better wood that would normally have not been used on the lower grades, instead of trying to "turn down" plainer wood in keeping with the grain and figure of the wood common to those lower grades. I owned 2 GHE Remington-era guns over the years each of which had wood that would have done a DH grade gun proud (one a borderline CH quality!). Makes eminent sense when you think about it.......

[George M. Purtill Member #28]

I must say I have never purchased a 1/2 frame.
I have a 1/2 frame that my dad gave me in almost unused condition. I wrote an article about it for PP. I think it was titled "The Missing Link" or something like that. Dean-o would know.
Craig came to visit and record that gun when he lived in Connecticut.

[Dean Romig]

I still have the pictures I took of it George - would you like me to post some?





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[George M. Purtill Member #28]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

I still have the pictures I took of it George - would you like me to post some?

That would be nice if you think members might enjoy them. I think Bill Murphy will be posting some as well.