New guy from Kentucky...

[John E. Williams]

Hello, all!

I've been lurking around here for at least a couple of years, gleaned all manner of information from the forum, and heartily enjoyed your stories and photos. It seemed as though I should at least introduce myself, say hi, and share a few photos of my own. I'm 51 years old and have worked in manufacturing most of my career. I got into the tool and die trade as a younger man and gradually moved on up the ladder, where I'm currently working as a cost estimator and process engineer with a major tier 1 automotive manufacturer. I've wanted a Parker since I was probably ten years old, but things just never seemed to work out in my favor. The old "day late and a dollar short" conundrum, but as another old saying goes, "even a blind hog finds an acorn ever' once in a while."

I currently own two Parker Trojans and they are working guns, without question. The 1920 16 gauge (#191938) is my go-to upland bird gun. It's short, light, and fits me as well as any shotgun I've ever shouldered. If grouse, woodcock, or ol' Bob are on the agenda, it's unlikely I'll be found carrying anything else. It's got the 2-1/2" chambers so I shoot the 2.5" H&H light game loads through it, which I've gone to buying by the case. Some well-meaning individual fitted new wood to this gun and refinished it at some point, which is sad but often found. The gun measures and patterns in the area of modified and improved cylinder, but there is no flat band showing on the rib ahead of the front sight. The barrels measure a perfect 26.0" so I'm wondering if this rib is one of those rare exceptions I've heard about that didn't originally have the flat? Doesn't really matter to me. It's not for sale and never will be as long as I'm in the picture.

Here's a side view that does a pretty good job of showing how far the gunsmith went with modifications. You can also see how worn the stock finish is, along with the most excellent pimp-grade buffing job done on the receiver.




The ubiquitous rib logo shot:




And a couple of "action shots" in case you're into that sort of thing:






My other is a recent acquisition, what appears to my untrained eye as an all original and mostly unmolested 1921 12 gauge. No. 195652 is a squirrel menace, as I see it, although many would consider it just your average, almost default-spec double built on a #2 frame with 30" barrels choked full and modified. The only finish remaining anywhere on the gun consists of a bit of color remaining on the hidden surfaces of the forend iron and likewise on the water table. Aside from those exceptions, everything's mostly blackened from light corrosion or bright, naked steel. This old gun had sat for so long that the extractor had gummed into place, which kept the action from opening more than just a crack. It took awhile, but I finally got the barrels off and soaking in solvent. After about twenty-four hours things started going my way and the old girl was soon back up and operational. It also has the 2.5" chambers and gets a steady diet of the short H&H sporting loads, as well:




This makes me happy:




Another action shot:




Another Trojan logo:




Those barrels just seem to go on nearly forever!

[Dean Romig]

Hello John, and welcome!

The first Parker I ever shot and hunted with was a 12 ga. Trojan with 28" barrels... in about '59 or '60.

That sixteen is a pretty nice looking gun, despite the modifications and the twelve, for what it is (rode hard and put away wet... more than once) isn't bad either... for what it is.





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[John E. Williams]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

That sixteen is a pretty nice looking gun, despite the modifications and the twelve, for what it is (rode hard and put away wet... more than once) isn't bad either... for what it is.

Thanks for the welcome! I was a little embarrassed to even post photos of my Parkers but hey, I love 'em for my own reasons.

I appreciate the honesty that old 12 gauge exudes. Someone bought that gun as a tool and I've no doubt it has served mightily over the years. Considering the shape it was in when acquired, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find it was a one-owner gun. I believe it takes decades in stasis for any lubricant I'm familiar with to turn into something approaching amber in viscosity. Amber. That's what I kept thinking of as I was trying to get the extractor to let go. It's easy for me to imagine the original owner falling ill and ending up in a nursing home for many years while the old Parker sat hidden in a closet or attic, slowly decaying. When the owner finally died, I can see some n'er'do well relative finding the old gun and moving it swiftly along through one or more brokers until I found and brought it home at what was a garage sale price, in my opinion. I'm already forming the thought that DelGrego may end up having this one for awhile, if for no other reason that the gun has most likely earned it. It didn't leave Meriden dressed in a fine suit of clothes but instead, dressed more as a common worker or infantryman. It's current condition is indicative of a gun that's seen many, many days afield in all weather conditions and for some reason, that really speaks to me.

The 16 gauge is a little different story. I think it's had a much easier life but has obviously suffered at the hand of many different owners. There's no doubt in my mind that this one is heading to Illion, NY after this year's hunting season, but there will be little attempt made to restore it to original. I think getting the case colors back on the old girl, along with an equalizing of color and refinish on the stocks, will suit me just fine. That little sixteen is "The One" as far as I'm concerned.

[Mike Franzen]

Welcome aboard John. Glad to see a fellow Kentuckian that has the Parker bug. You should consider becoming a member and having access to rest of the website. Membership has its privileges :-)

[John E. Williams]

Originally Posted by Mike Franzen

Welcome aboard John. Glad to see a fellow Kentuckian that has the Parker bug. You should consider becoming a member and having access to rest of the website. Membership has its privileges :-)

Thanks for the welcome and the nudge, Mike! I joined up overnight during one of several minor bouts of sleeplessness.

[Mills]

Welcome John! No shame in your old guns. Beats a nondescript modern gun any day. Some of my best shooters are in worse shape. Being in Kentucky you ought to have lots of things to hunt with them

[John E. Williams]

Originally Posted by Mills Morrison

Welcome John! No shame in your old guns. Beats a nondescript modern gun any day. Some of my best shooters are in worse shape. Being in Kentucky you ought to have lots of things to hunt with them

Thanks for the welcome, Mills! Yes, we are fairly well covered up with game in this area. Last weekend I saw about fifteen gray squirrels and a few reds during a morning hunt, opting to take three of the grays. I'm anxiously awaiting the October 15th opening of woodcock season just across the river in Indiana, with Kentucky's grouse/woodcock/quail season opening a few weeks later on November 1st. How's the quail population looking down your way this year?

[George "Scott" Davis]

Welcome and go "Big Blue"!!!!