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Learning history |
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02-13-2021, 12:35 AM
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#1
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Member
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Member Info
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Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 40
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Thanked 46 Times in 13 Posts
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Learning history
I had requested info from Griffin & Howe after being pointed there by Chuck Bishop. Griffin & Howe advised they had discontinued their service and then I received the following email from Mr Bob Beach today.
Subject: RE: PARKER DHE#173522
Dear Mr. Cross,
Although I have retired from providing research letters, I still occasionally access the G&H research email account and reply if I can help with information.
Your Parker VHE was first entered into the inventory at Von Lengerke & Detmold in November 1917. In these early years the information listed was much less than in later years and was even more sparse for your Parker than for other guns at that time. The only information recorded is as follows: S/N 173522, 12 gauge, 28 inch barrels, grade VHE. The cost of the gun to VL&D is in code which I believe translates to $49.55. The gun was sold on 11-21-17 to “A.C. Young” and charged to the customer’s account. Buyers addresses were not recorded at that time and the given names were most often just the initials. In 1918 the price of the Parker VHE was $69.00.
A.C. Young may have been a sporting goods store. VL&D imported and retailed firearms but they also wholesaled their guns to retailers in other parts of the country but usually only guns that they imported from Europe. On 6-10-18, Parker 173522 was returned to VL&D and re-entered in the inventory with no additional spec.’s. The name of the customer returning the gun was not recorded which makes me believe that it was a store.
On 12-9-18 the Parker was sold to “John Wanamaker”. There is no indication whether the gun was sold to Mr. Wanamaker for his own use, for a gift for a one of his employees or a family member, or for sale in one of his department stores. (Wanamaker was quite wealthy.) Considering the grade of the Parker I would assume it was not for his own use. Guns purchased for his stores were usually bought in small quantities but not as single guns. That leaves the gun as a purchase for a young family member or as a gift to a treasured employee upon retirement. If there is an engraved initial plate on the gun or, possibly, a gun case, that may provide a clue.
That is the best that I can do for you. I hope that this is of interest.
Thank you for the inquiry.
Regards,
Bob Beach (retired)
Griffin & Howe, Inc.
I can see why Mr Beach has the reputation he does. What a gentleman. And now I am as fascinated by Parker history as I am about the guns themselves.
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The Following 14 Users Say Thank You to Bernie Cross For Your Post:
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Alfred Greeson, Bill Jolliff, David Lien, Dean Romig, Donald F. Mills, Garry L Gordon, Josh Loewensteiner, Louis Caissie, Mark Britton, Paul Ehlers, Ralph English, Russell E. Cleary, Stan Hillis, Stan Hoover |
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02-13-2021, 07:14 AM
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#2
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Member
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PGCA Invincible Life Member
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Member Info
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 31,926
Thanks: 36,400
Thanked 33,922 Times in 12,561 Posts
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Bob has always been most thorough in providing research information. You’re very lucky that he took it upon himself to do that for you.
Kudos for Bob Beach!
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__________________
"I'm a Setter man.
Not because I think they're better than the other breeds,
but because I'm a romantic - stuck on tradition - and to me, a Setter just "belongs" in the grouse picture."
George King, "That's Ruff", 2010 - a timeless classic.
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The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to Dean Romig For Your Post:
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