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

Bruce Day · 10-05-2011, 03:23 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, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

..... My guess is that the gun was sent to the factory for new barrels and upgrading engraving to C or B Grade including B Grade wood. The engraving was probably done by Robert Runge.....

Are you saying you think the stock carving and checkering is Remington factory work and that you believe the wood is B grade quality? I'm not sure I understand by what you mean about the Scores gun having " B grade wood".

To my novice eye, I see a difference between the Scores gun and the 1911 B grade, but then , I don't have a Rem Parker B grade to look at.

Pa SxS · 10-05-2011, 10:01 AM

Well if Bruce is just a novice Parker guy, what's below that because that's what I am. But I'll give you my opinion anyway!

It's a project gun, nothing more.

It started out as a GH and was sent to Remington for new barrels, that's pretty much given.

At some point in time, the buttstock was enhanced with B type checkering but not up to Parker or Remington standards. Notice the cheek panel is elongated and the border looks to be a single line extending back to form the fleur de lis. The pistol grip checkering has no mullard border or any border for that matter. From what I've seen, Remington Parker's had at least some type of border and Meriden Parker's had a mullard border. The serial number is correct under the tang and from the one picture of the buttstock, there appers to be the shield, not the oval at the bottom of the stock.

The forend is a different matter. The checkering appears to be correct for a BH Parker. Since the serial number is correct for the iron, my guess would be that a B forend wood was found, the engraving for the forend latch and tip were filed off for later engraving which was never done. The only way to find out if the wood is original or a replacement would be to pull the iron off the wood and look for the serial number on the forend wood just like was done on the buttstock. It would be good to look for the serial number on the forend tip also.

Who knows about the engraving on the receiver, it could have been done by Remington or an outside source. Only someone real familiar with Remington engraving could give a clue. Best source would be the Del Grego's.

A very interesting Parker but Special, no.

That's my take.

Bruce Day · 10-05-2011, 10:32 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, 01:14 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, 01:37 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, 02:11 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, 02:41 PM

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

RON SCORES · 10-05-2011, 02:52 PM

Pictures up thanks.

Bruce Day · 10-06-2011, 03:20 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.