Checkered Butts on High Grades

[C.O.B.]

This is off topic for which I apologise but as George bought a DHE 20 that was in England and I have a CHE 20 also with British proof marks it got me to wondering how many Parkers have gone across the pond and returned back to the states. I would assume that if the gun was sold new to a European customer it would have to go through their proof house.

Are there any records of new Parkers being shipped overseas?

[Bill Murphy]

Mark has seen way more Parker records than I have, so he may have a different answer. However, I have seen Parker orders to Cuba, Russia, China, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, but none to Western Europe. I assume such orders do exist in the order books.

[Dean Romig]

Parkers from Western Europe may have belonged to American servicemen stationed there after WWII or possibly 'during' depending on their rank.

[Austin W Hogan]

Ron Mc Donald has found eight hammerless Parkers in Australia. We carried stories on two in PP, both had PB as proof marks and a statement with the export papers.
I am thinking hard; I think I remember a contact in France that handled European orders.

Best, Austin

[Bill Murphy]

I will add Denmark and Italy to the list I posted. My most regretted "didn't bid high enough" is on a Parker in Great Britain.

[Austin W Hogan]

Lest we forget the big order for exposed hammer Parkers with Bernard barrels, sold in a large block at half price to Japan, reported by Mark a year ago.

Best, Austin

[Dean Romig]

Sad... likely any of those remaining at the time the Japanese Gov't confiscated all personal weapons ended up at the bottom of the Sea of Japan.

[Autumn Daze]

or melted from a nuclear blast...

[Austin W Hogan]

I spent the winter 1970 - 71 in Hokkaido, the northernmost home island. There was a new W94 in a jewelry store window for the equivalent of $600 US- the Nikon F with micro nikkor that I bought there cost $94 US. Japan has always had huge duties on imported goods; I had to formally register my Omega watch and Leica camera when I entered. When I departed they pulled out the reciepts and checked them off.
The W94 was apparently for the small bear that is native to Hokkaido. One of the people I worked with had a bearhound, that was much like a bassett. These dogs were also used for rabbitt hunting. I saw quite a few parties of 6 - 8 hunters and dogs hunting rabbitts on Sundays.
I doubt if those half price Parkers were for the home island trade; more likely for the islands of the Empire, much like the British and Stoeger sold muzzle loaders and single shots in Africa.

Best, Austin

[Austin W Hogan]

This leather faced SSBP is on a $250 grade lifter of Don Burchard's. The checked butt is on the stock removed from the Buckingham Super Fox.

Best, Austin