20ga DHE 24"

Bruce Day · 11-19-2009, 10:15 AM

How about a change of pace?

This is the little gun John Dunkle likes. He shoots it well.

I wrote an article about it in the Parker Pages several years ago. It was ordered in 1910 by Mr Howard of Halifax, Nova Scotia for his fiancee' in Red Springs, North Carolina and had to be delivered before Christmas or no sale. The gun is 5 3/4lbs, rounded on the toe, 14" LOP so she was not tiny. IC and Mod. She married him and went to Halifax and used the gun into her 80's. Ron Granger, a British Columbia PGCA member and collector, then acquired it and then I got it from Ron about 6-7 years ago. The gun had not been messed with. The Titanic barrels were mostly silver and blotchy, so I had them refinished and new wood finish top coats rubbed in to cover bare places. The ejectors were gummed up but Rem Action Cleaner solved that. Other than that, the gun is as it was made.

In my research, I found that the area around Red Springs NC was home to Royalists before the Revolutionary War, many of whom fled to the Canadian Maritimes when the war ended yet maintained family ties. The Howard family was known in shipping circles in Halifax, so perhaps that is the connection.

The records do not show that many D grade 20/24" were made and show no others with either a half pistol or a checkered butt, so this is likely a unique gun. I don't think there are many Parkers known to be made for a woman; this and the Annie Oakley guns come to mind.

Brush Buster · 11-19-2009, 10:37 AM

Bruce; I can see why John would enjoy carrying that gun ,It is a beauty !! Sure would make a nice light Grouse gun ,especially with the 24 " barrels. The Stock is really nice ,I really like the half pistol grip ,although at this time ,I have no Parkers that has one ,but most of mine have the Pistol Grip stocks . I set up at the Greensburg show this past weekend ,there was a fellow there with a 28 Ga. VHE ,w/ 24 " barrels ,a nice gun ,but completely refinished .

Bill Murphy · 11-19-2009, 10:39 AM

Round butts and checkered pasts are my favorites. Did I say that right?

Bruce Day · 11-19-2009, 10:48 AM

I don't why some people feel that they have to completely refinish guns, individual preference I suppose. I don't do it. This gun has some scratches left in the wood, the patina of age, not dirt, is still there. I did enough in my opinion to make it presentable but somewhat minimal restoration. Each to his own.

Brush Buster · 11-19-2009, 10:52 AM

I believe you did Bill !

Brush Buster · 11-19-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

I don't why some people feel that they have to completely refinish guns, individual preference I suppose. I don't do it. This gun has some scratches left in the wood, the patina of age, not dirt, is still there. I did enough in my opinion to make it presentable but somewhat minimal restoration. Each to his own.

If I would have one completely redone ,it would have to be in really poor condition ,Some age and patina always looks nice on an older gun , plus in most cases ,if you are a buyer, trader and seller , If and when you turn the gun you end up eating most of the cost of the restoration , and you are limiting yourself to potential buyers ! Years ago ,I picked up a little 410 Field grade ,LC Smith really rough condition,I had the gun completely refinished , The gun looked really nice,and when I decided to move it ,I explained it had been refinished and who did the work ,I sold the gun eventually and the hardest part of the sale was it being completely redone ! I believe I would have gotten the same amount ,or more for the gun had it been tight and looked even half way presentable ,as I got for the gun after the refinish !

John D. · 11-19-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Round butts and checkered pasts are my favorites. Did I say that right?

Works for me...

As well - that little 20GA 24" D grade is one of the sweetest little Parkers you'll ever see... It's really light, but, with he shorter barrels - you have to force yourself to swing through, as there is no momentum. As for a perfect N.E. grouse/partridge/timberdoodle/woodcock/snipe (<--did I cover all the bases??) double, this Parker would be "the ticket".

I did offer to "store" it for Bruce in my safe - with full visitation rights (once a year, for one day..) - but he gracefully declined by raising his eyebrows, covering his face with his hands and violently shaking his head as in disbelief....

I was soooo close....

John

Richard Flanders · 11-19-2009, 11:27 AM

Nice little gun Bruce. There's a 24" DHE 28 w/steel bbls in Anchorage. Gorgeous little gun but has been restocked twice. Current owner had the replacement stock with a monte carlo replaced with a nice original style. MC stock was quite obviously not original; didn't match the forend wood at all. Gorgeous little gun.

Dean Romig · 11-19-2009, 01:21 PM

You're right Bruce, about not many documented to have been ordered for a lady. You mention the Annie Oakley guns as an example. My Damascus barreled DHE 24-inch 28 gauge (149020) however is one such "lady's gun" having been ordered for Jessie Bishop by her husband Henry A. Bishop in 1912 and specified to be supplied with an "Annie Oakley style case".

Bruce Day · 11-19-2009, 01:35 PM

Russ:

Larry Baer