1895 12 GAUGE PARKER..DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT? - Page 9

Dean Romig · 10-04-2011, 10:26 PM

Ron, your Parker is an enigma.
It started life as a grade 2 but the engraving and checkering and the addition of the fleur de lis and checkered panel upgrades are the real parts to the puzzle.
We know what happened to the barrels... Remington rebarreled the gun.
The engraving coverage is what we would expect to see on a grade 5 or 6 but the quality and execution of the engraving are not up to Parker Bros. standards... possibly done by an engraver at Remington (although I doubt it) but not, in my opinion, done by Robert Runge.

Ready yourself for the very real possibility that you may never learn who made all those changes to 84025.

Bruce Day · 10-05-2011, 02:23 AM

Here are a series of photos.

1. The tang channel from the Scores gun showing the SN and Grade 2( G) stamps.

2. Details of the Scores gun stock showing the fleur dis lis details

3. Another of the Scores fleur dis lis detail

4. Overall view of the Scores gun stock

5. Comparision photo of the grip and fleur dis lis from a 1911 BHE, a typical to type B carving.

6. Comparision photo of the wood selection from the 1911 BHE, a typical wood selection for B and A grades.

Bruce Day · 10-05-2011, 09:32 AM

To the point Chuck. Good analysis.

Bill, perhaps you could teach me what identifiers or characteristics you see in the Scores gun engraving that lead you to conclude that the engraving was done by Robert Runge or even Remington for that matter?

I've been taught that the Runge dogs are distinctive, and you know I have a 1939/1940 documented C with a whole pack of setters that have been attributed to Runge by long time Parker experts, not me of course.

Bill Murphy · 10-05-2011, 12:14 PM

I would back off on any statement I may have made about the source of the engraving and wood carving. I think it's a neat gun, but now have no opinion about the engraving and other decoration. It was so easy to think that Remington did everything that I let my imagination go wild. With better pictures of the engraving, maybe someone will have a new idea.

Researcher · 10-05-2011, 12:37 PM

Maybe the upgrading of the engraving and checkering was done by Moran & Wolfersperger in Chicago when they installed their ejectors on the gun. They were on the verge of introducing their own single trigger, ejector, gun when they went belly up about 1905, and their ads said they had a complete staff capable of all manner of work. They had outbid Ansley H. Fox for the stock duplicating machines of Baltimore Arms Co. at the BAC receiver's sale in late 1904. After M&W dissolved, their aftermarket ejector business went to Gus Habich in Indianapolis by 1906, so it is also possible the work could have been done there. All speculation other than we know the gun at one time had M&W ejectors by the pin and the milled slots in the knuckle.

Bruce Day · 10-05-2011, 01:11 PM

Dave, thanks for the great historical information about the M & W company. That was new to me. I for one, would very much appreciate a Parker Pages article by you explaining the different sources and showing photo examples of various aftermarket ejectors and single triggers that were available. I would learn a lot and and value your knowledge. There was a gunsmith in Grand Forks ND who also did ejector work, but I could not identify his work if I saw it. I can't think of anybody better than you to write about these matters.

Bill, very gracious. I also value your Parker knowledge.

Very interesting to look at the Scores gun and an interesting exercise to think of what went on

edgarspencer · 10-05-2011, 01:41 PM

Ron, could you add a picture of the pistol grip cap to your album?

RON SCORES · 10-05-2011, 01:52 PM

Pictures up thanks.

Bruce Day · 10-06-2011, 02:20 PM

Ron, when you came on here, you said you needed a valuation for insurance purposes. I recommended J R Larue, as he could do an appraisal letter for you that would be suitable for an insurer. You can contact J R at jrlarue@hughes.net, or at 866 527 4440, although the number could be his at Julia's auction house.

Enjoy your interesting Parker.

RON SCORES · 10-06-2011, 04:38 PM

Thanks Bill yes I have spoke with Julia before with other items I had. I enjoyed the ride this forum is a wealth of knowledge. I learned alot and will stay tunned I hope I find other knowledgeable sites on the other guns and items I have. I do have some interesting pieces, not Parkers but english doubles and such. thanks to all...Ron