Sporting Life archives

[Drew Hause]

April 15, 1905
Parker Bros., Meriden, Conn., have issued their usual calendar for 1905. Besides the months it shows the faces of a number of prominent amateur and expert shots with a record of winnings at the traps during the season by users of the "Old Reliable" Parker gun. The calendar will be popular with trap shooters and attractive in the club room.

Anyone have one?

[Bill Murphy]

It is pictured in The Parker Story, in the section titled The Paper Trail. It is a rare bird on the collector market. I've never seen one for sale that I can remember.

[Drew Hause]

June 10 1905
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL4513022.pdf
That the old reliable Parker gun is much in evidence in Southern California is attested by the fact that at the Los Angeles Gun Club shoot, the 22d and 23d of April, 37 per cent, of the contestants shot Parker guns, and the longest run, of 84 straight, was made by Lewis Breer, Jr., using the Parker gun. The Tufts-Lyon Arms Co. medal was won with 43 out of 50 by Guy Lovelace with a Parker gun.

[Drew Hause]

July 29, 1905
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL4520022.pdf
While the echoes of the Grand American Handicap may have died away, Parker Bros, want to call the attention of the shooting fraternity to the performance of Mr. John A Flick, of Ravenna, O.. a one-armed shooter, who scored with the Parker gun, 97 out of a possible 100 at this famous shoot. The Parker gun also won the World's Team Race with a total of 474 out of 500, and four Parkers out of five shooters in this event. The consolation handicap was also won with the Parker gun in the hands of Mr. J. T. Atkinson. tieing on 99, and shooting out his opponent.
At Waynesboro, Va., on July- 4. Mr. C. H. Newcomb, of Philadelphia, strictly an amateur, won high amateur average, and at Richmond, Va., Decoration Day, also won high amateur average.
At New London, la., the three handicap events held during their last tournament were all won with the Parker gun. Barto, of Chicago, and Gilbert and Garrett all tied on 50 straight, Barto breaking 100 straight to win the event. The second day handicap was won by John Burrneister, with 50 straight, and the third day handicap was won by Fred Gilbert with 50 straight. All of the handicap events were won with the old reliable Parker, in the hands of amateurs in two cases. In three days shooting the old reliable Parker made scores of 200 straight, which is a remarkable performance and proves conclusively the reliability and effectiveness of the famous "Old Reliable."

[Drew Hause]

Oct. 7, 1905
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL4604031.pdf
At Dominion of Canada tournament, Ottawa, Ont., Mr. T. M. Craig, using a Parker gun, at 19 and 20 yards, won the Lord Grey cup for high average 665 out of 710. W. J. Johnstone, of Ottawa, made longest unfinished run 99 straight winning DuPont cup. One third of guns used at Ottawa were
Parkers.
Fred Coleman, of Philadelphia, Pa.,, was high at Meadow Springs and Coatesville. S. C. Yocum at Shamokin, from April to September shot at 1000 and broke 917. He is an amateur of-merit.
Fred Gilbert, "The Wizard," at home, Spirit Lake, la., August 22 to 25 was high man, with score-of 771 out of 800, and won the first-class cup with 50 straight.
R. C. Derk, at Lock Haven, Pa., scored first high amateur average with score of 261 out of 290, winning DuPont trophy. At Marysville, Pa., Mr. Derk was high amateur average with score of 188 out of 200.
M. K. Atchlson, of Giddings, Texas, at West Texas League Shoot, had second high amateur average with score of 458 out of 480. In 50 target race, he scored 47 out of 50. In gold medal event he scored 50 straight. At Brenham, Texas, July 17 and 18, Mr. Atchison was second high amateur average with 403 out of 425. At Fort Worth, Texas, on the last day he broke 112 straight and 218 out of 225. At San Marcea, August 14 and 15, he was high amateur average from 20 yards mark, with score of 299 out of 340. His Parker gun was a winner sure.
P. D. Alkire, at Dalton, O., made first general average with score of 875 out of 400. At Yellow Bud, O., he was first average with score of 156 out of 160. At Williamsport, O., August 8, he scored 146 out of 150. Also at Williamsport on August 10, Mr. Alkire scored 74 out of 75 with his Parker gun.
At Durham, N. C., Thomasville, Ga., Eufalau, Ala.; Gunthersville, Ala.,: and Morristown, Tenn., Walter Huff won high average using a Parker gun.
At Grand Rapids, W. E. Beeson was high amateur using a Parker gun.
At Pasadena, Cal., J. E. Vaughn broke 143 straight with a Parker gun. John A.
Flick made two scores of 50 straight in matches this season with his Parker. Otto Felger made high amateur average at Grand Rapids with a
Parker gun.
Write for latest catalogue or call on your dealer and examine the Parker gun before purchasing your new gun. Parker Bro., 46 Cherry street, Meriden, Conn.

[Drew Hause]

Oct. 28, 1905
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL4607014.pdf
Jay D. Greene, of Avon, N. Y., a strict amateur, won high average at
Leroy, N. Y., N shoot, Oct. 5, in a gale of wind, breaking 129 out of 150,
a magnificent showing under the conditions. Mr. Greene is a popular Parker gun man.
M. E. Atchison, of Giddings, Tex., at Paris, Tex., Sept. 25 to 28, won high amateur average with 437 out of 475 at 19 yards rise out of a possible 475. In the live bird race at 30 yards rise Mr. Atchison killed 19 out of 20. Mr. Atchison always uses a Parker gun.
Mr. J. S. Thomas, of Pleasant Hill, Mo., on Sept. 28, at Rich Hill shoot, broke 170 out of 175; out of the last 130 breaking 129 with a straight run of 100. At the same shoot W. A. Smith, of Greenwood, Mo., and Geo. K. Mackay, Scammon, Kans., tied on second with 168 out of 175. All three shooters shot Parker guns.
Mr. Wallace, of Marshalltown, la., at the Brooklyn, la., tournament, Sept.
21, broke 198 out of 200; straight run of 157, using the Parker gun.
Walter Huff, at Valdosta,- Ga., Sept. 19-20, won high average, 274 out of 280, using a Parker gun.
F. McCloughan, of St. Louis, an amateur shooter, on Aug. 28, tied for high amateur average with a score of 153 out of 160. Mr. McCloughan shoots the Parker gun, and it is good shooting,

[Drew Hause]

Feb. 3, 1906

At the Arizona Sportsmen's Association tournament at Phoenix, December 28-31, Mr. J. N. Aitken, using a Parker gun, was high on the first and second days, and high for the four days with ail average of 933 per cent. He also won the Copper Queen trophv and the Gwynn trophy. Mr. Aitken is an amateur shot.
The following is a record of J. F. Hurt, Tazewell, Va. for 1905. Mr. Hurt, is an amateur, shooting the Parker gun, with which these scores were made: Total number of targets shot at 7125; total number of targets broken 6621; average for the entire season, over 92 per cent. In the five successive days' shoot at local grounds at Tazewell, Va. in August, Mr. Hurt broke 481 out of 500 targets, an average of 96 per cent. At the shoot at Tazewell Fair September 12, Mr. Hurt broke 94 out of 100; winning first prize and high gun. Second day at Tazewell Fair he broke 189 out of 200, winning high gun and first money and first prize in all ten events participated in during the day, in which contest over thirty shooters participated.
At the Grand Canadian Handicap, held at Hamilton. Ont. January 16 to 19, the Old Reliable Parker Gun was much in evidence. Thomas Upton, winner of the live-bird event, with a score of 34 out of 35, is an exceptional record at live birds, and reflects credit upon the Parker gun. Live bird shooting is the most severe test of a shot gun, and this record is particularly flattering to Parker Bros. The first, second and third amateur averages at inanimate targets were carried off by Parker guns in the hands of C. E. Doolittle of Cleveland; Jay D. Green, Avon, N. Y., and H. D. Kirkover. Jr., of Buffalo, respectively, showing that the Parker gun is a winner in the hands of amateurs, no matter where used.

[Drew Hause]

Feb. 17, 1906
Fred J. Gilbert is reported seriously ill at his home at Spirit Lake. The
trouble (the Feb. 3 edition reported an attack of "tonsillitis") has developed into a serious attack of inflammatory rheumatism, from which his physicians are not expecting speedy recovery. He probably will not be able to participate at all in spring and early summer shooting contests.

March 3
The condition of Fred Gilbert, the world's champion, who is suffering with inflammatory rheumatism at his home in Spirit Lake, Iowa, is no better, and advices from his home are that he has lost from fifty to sixty pounds.

March 17
There is no improvement in the condition of Fred Gilbert to be reported. The latest from his home in Des Moines, la., is that he is so badly crippled with rheumatism that it is doubtful if he goes to the traps again in many months. The attack has been long continued.

April 14
Through the kindness of Mr. V. V Dorp, of Shannon & Sons, this city, we a,re able to give our readers a late bulletin regarding the convalescence of Mr. Fred Gilbert, of Spirit Lake Iowa, the one-time duck shooter, who later has devoted his days to demonstrating the art of wing shooting as applied to artificial targets. Under date of April 2, Mr. Gilbert writes:
"I am pleased to report that I am slowly improving and am now able to walk across the room without help. Will go to Hot Springs, Ark., as soon as able to travel, and feel assured that
this will straighten me out all O. K. Of course will not be able to shoot for some time. Was down to 120 pounds at one time, so must 'get some flesh and strength back. Hoping to see you during the season, I remain, etc.'"
That his recovery be speedy and thorough, seems to be the wish of everybody in this section and all others.

August 11
Fred Gilbert, in some practice at Kansas City, broke 93 out of 100 targets, an indication of returning health.

[Drew Hause]

Sept. 29, 1906
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL4803032.pdf
W. R. Crosby. with the "Old Reliable" Parker Gun. August 25. 1906. at Denver. Colo.. scored 298 out of 300, and won the Western Handicap with the record score of 97 out of 100 at 21 yards. At the Indian Tournament, Mr. Crosbv
scored 583 out of 600. At Pocatello, Idaho, August 27 and 28. the Parker gun again took high averages, first and second—W. R Crosby 400 out of 425; Walter Huff. 407 out of 425.
Mr. R. C. Derk. with his Parker gun. on August 13 and 14, at Lock Haven, Pa., scored 326 out of 350. At St. Mary's, Pa., Mr. Derk tied for high amateur average 368 out of 400.
Mr. J S Thomas and the Parker gun, at Kansas City August 13 to 17 won high amateur average August 15 and on August 16 won second high amateur average and the State champion amateur event.
Mr. Jay D. Greene, shooting a Parker gun. won high amateur average at
LeRoy. N. Y.. September 3; scored 106 out of 120. Dr. Gardner, of Batavia, N. Y.. also shooting a Parker gun, was second high, with 100 out of 120, in face of a high wind.
Records such as the above prove the merits and strong shooting qualities of the Parker gun.

[Drew Hause]

Nov. 17, 1906
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL4810014.pdf
Fred Gilbert, the world-renowned trap shot, after a year's illness, was high gun at Des Moinos, la., for three days—October 30. 31 and November 1—with a score of 580 out of a possible 600. Of course, everybody knows that Fred Gilbert never shoots anything but a Parker gun, and he is one of the most popular trap shooters who has ever faced the trap. Fred's friends, who are legion, will be more than pleased to note that he has sufficiently recovered his health to enable him to get back into the game, and certainly this wonderful performance of breaking 97 per cent, for three days' tournament after such a long time had elapsed since his last shooting, is one of the most remarkable, if not the most remarkable performances he has ever made, considering the conditions. His many friends certainly hope that he and the Parker gun will, enjoy many more tournaments of this kind, and that he will continue from this out to show a steady improvement.
Such a performance as this speaks well for the Parker, and there is no gun its equal when it comes to shooting qualities and absolute satisfaction to the user.
If you are interested in a gun and contemplate purchasing in the near future, you would do well to write Parker Bros., Meriden. Conn., No. 46 Cherry street.