The One that Got Away, then Found

dana sanders · 02-16-2018, 06:25 PM

I'm so excited to have found this Parker Collectors group. Thank you for having me.

In 1999, I duck hunted in the Mississippi Delta north of Vicksburg most of my off days. Calling a Mallard or Pintail duck into decoys is my passion. Fine guns is my other passion. While at my local gunsmith, I found a Parker VHE for sale with 30" Full/Full barrels. I couldn't help myself and bought it along with some KENT Tungston Coated shells for older guns. I hunted the 1999 season with the 1911 classic and had the season of my life killing a banded Mallard drake and a true Black Duck, both of which were mounted. After the duck season, I purchased a nice stick of walnut from a friend of mine and formulated a plan to send the old gun to Doug Turnbull and then to Dave Christman for the woodwork...... The it happened.... my work took me to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I was 30 year old with two baby boys and needed the money to move, so I sadly sold the old gun and wood to my gunsmith......in the Spring of 2017, I was in my gunsmith's shop looking at guns and talking when he came out of the back room with the most beautiful firearm I'd ever seen..... I immediately recognized it as a Parker shotgun and then realized... IT WAS MY OLD GUN!!! My friend and gunsmith had sent the gun to Doug Turnbull for the metal work, who then sent the gun straight to Dave Christman in Delhi, LA for the woodwork. I was moved to strong emotion as I couldn't believe my eyes. Unfortunately, the price tag on the gun was not way more than I could afford, but I took satisfaction knowing the the old gun was in the condition that it deserved.........My wife and kids were in Vicksburg on the weekend of my 50th birthday when we went in to my friends gunshop to visit... little did I know that I was in for a big surprise... My wife bought me the 1911 Parker VHE back and gave it to me for my 50th birthday!!!!!!!! It was by far the greatest gift I'd ever received and so proud to have the gun back in my gun safe. It is now an instant heirloom and will not leave the family!!!!!!!! I've already patterned the gun for 1 1/4 oz #6's and will be taking it to the turkey woods in a month. I hope to be able to share those pics with you all soon! Again, thanks for having me, I love the old Parkers!!!!!!!