My duBray-Connected Parker

[Bill Murphy]

My studio photo of a grey haired Dubray is on page 274 of Ed's book "Parker Guns, Shooting Flying, and the American Experience. Ed credited Dick Baldwin, who gave me the photo years before Ed thought of writing that book. He credited Dick because I told him that Dick gave it to me. When Ed was writing the book, at his request, I took a car full of Parkers and Parker literature to his son's house across the river from my home. We spent the afternoon taking pictures the result of which was two of my guns and the Dubray photo appearing in the book. Still not my favorite curmudgeon, but at least he was one. When he was taking orders for the book, I asked if there was a surcharge for "No Signature". It went right over his head. He had no idea of the insult of picturing two guns in his book when I spent most of a day posing dozens of them for him. Good old Ed.

[Larry the Gun Guy]

Now! Back to the gun;

That is a prize for sure; Arthur DuBray's 4 frame, 10 gauge, 32" Damascus barreled, Quality D, top action hammer gun with special matting on the top rib, weighing in at a man size 10 pounds 8 ounces, having 3-1/2" of drop at the heel.
What a find! And what a great story. Congratulations on that one.

[Bill Murphy]

Yup, we would like to hear more about the gun. Unfortunately, this thread went dead for three years and resurfaced as a discussion about DuBray. That's not a bad thing, after three years. OK, back to the gun.

[Ed Blake]

The gun recently found a new owner on this board, and maybe he’ll post any subsequent research on it if he finds anything of note. When I found the gun I was sure it was meant to be used as a Fowler, and maybe it was. However, I believe it was purchased as a live pigeon gun. My rationale is information I got from Cyril Adams’ “Live Pigeon Trapshooting” book published in 2017. Chapter 3 discusses pigeon guns and on page 130 he describes the “normal” American pigeon gun as existent in 1880: 10 bore at 9-10.5 lbs, 13.75” to 14.5” LOP; 3-3.5” drop. This pretty much describes this gun to a “T”. The special treatment of the rib convinces me even more that this was made as a money gun. Was it a Fowler? Probably but I’m convinced it was also used to shoot box birds. I’m especially curious about why this rib treatment was so uncommon when it works so well to cut glare. Evidence as a pigeon gun might be entirely circumstantial but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Ed Blake

The gun recently found a new owner on this board, and maybe he’ll post any subsequent research on it if he finds anything of note. When I found the gun I was sure it was meant to be used as a Fowler, and maybe it was. However, I believe it was purchased as a live pigeon gun. My rationale is information I got from Cyril Adams’ “Live Pigeon Trapshooting” book published in 2017. Chapter 3 discusses pigeon guns and on page 130 he describes the “normal” American pigeon gun as existent in 1880: 10 bore at 9-10.5 lbs, 13.75” to 14.5” LOP; 3-3.5” drop. This pretty much describes this gun to a “T”. The special treatment of the rib convinces me even more that this was made as a money gun. Was it a Fowler? Probably but I’m convinced it was also used to shoot box birds. I’m especially curious about why this rib treatment was so uncommon when it works so well to cut glare. Evidence as a pigeon gun might be entirely circumstantial but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Ed, I think your "story" is a pretty good one, and I'd stick to it, too, until some other facts come to light.

[JAMES HALL]

Ed look close at the picture Randy Roberts posted

[Randy Roberts]

Originally Posted by JAMES HALL

Ed look close at the picture Randy Roberts posted

Makes you wonder doesn't it.

[Ed Blake]

I was thinking the same thing. The gun looks big enough.

[Craig Budgeon]

I don't think you will find another Parker that duplicates the gun under discussion. The knurling itself is of such poor quality I cannot believe Parker Bros. would ever try to duplicate it again. The knurling is overrun, veers in either direction, is not strait, stops between lines, and is very faint in the center of the rib. I agree with ArtS that the work was done on a lathe using a narrowed diagonal knurl. A delivery made in less than 30 days or possibly an outside vendor may have contributed to the poor quality. I also noticed Parker did not charge for the chased rib. With that said, I can find room in my safe for that gun.

[Bill Murphy]

Lefever offered a similar chased rib that was very well done with no irregularities.