Breakdown case markings

[John McKee]

I was going over a breakdown case's straps with some Neatsfoot oil. The tab on the buckle's strap is stamped 28 4.

Is that 28" barrel and 4 frame?

Thanks.. The case is in pretty good shape. Although I do need to get the grip fixed.

[Bruce Day]

There are at least four types of cases that store disassembled guns. Leg of Mutton cases, Elliot ( double ended) cases, soft sided two piece cases and many trunk cases all have straps, buckles and tabs.

The 28 is likely an inch marking for the maximum length of barrels for which the case is intended but an easy way to determine that is to stick a yardstick down the case. The numeral 4 could refer to anything but is highly unlikely to refer to Parker frame size. I've never heard of a case intended by the manufacturer to be used for 28 inch barreled 8ga Parkers.

[John McKee]

Thank you Bruce,

This is a hard leather case with a Trademark date of 1916. Leg of Mutton sounds correct. I'll get out the camera and take some pictures of the case. I had forgotten about this case. It still has it's wooden 3 piece cleaning rods with a rag attached. That must be 75 years old.

The side identifier tag came off some time ago. Besides the 1916 date; all I have is the 28 4 stamping.

[John McKee]

Here are some pictures of the case:




Am I in error assuming this is a Parker Case? For some reason; I want to say that it's an Abercrombie & Fitch. Though; the nameplate on the side is gone. Maybe faulty brain cells affecting me? The depth of case is 28". The case width is considerably narrower than 4".

[Bruce Day]

Am I in error assuming this is a Parker Case?

Ans: Yes. Looks like a Red Head.

I want to say that it's an Abercrombie & Fitch.

Response: A&F leg of mutton cases ( made for A&F by Red Head and other vendors) are stamped with the A&F crest on the cap. Some are stamped then gold embossed.

Comment: Parker made( or had made for it) only walnut trunk cases in the 1870's. There are lots of these leg of mutton cases around. They make an appropriate accessory to a vintage gun. While putting neatsfoot oil on the straps is fine, it will soften the hard shell leather. Put regular shoe cream or Lexol cream on that.

I believe the "4" designates the quality level of the case. These are made with smooth belting leather, grained leather, some had hand tooling, some had elaborate attachments. I do not have nor I have I seen a Red Head or other vintage catalog listing all the case styles available, so I cannot verify that this was a style or quality grade. I can with some certainty state that it had nothing to do with Parker frame size. First, its not a Parker case. Second, Parker did not publicize frame size. In fact, frame size is a relatively recent understanding created by expanding PGCA research. Before the last 15 years or so, people only knew it was a heavy 12, light 16, etc.

[John McKee]

Much thanks again Bruce.

Maybe the moderator would be so kind; as to move this thread to the General Discussion about other guns.