Old Parker

Bruce Day · 03-09-2011, 01:52 PM

And to keep interest in Parkers up, here is a 20ga with 26" damascus barrels. Bill Murphy was talking about these things being rare. I suppose they are, not very many were made because they cost as much as a more effective 12 or 16 ga. This one, four are known today by my imperfect and informal count. Again by my imperfect count, about a quarter of the C's made between about 1900 and 1905 had the round or roundel side panel engraving and with that you get something unusual on the floor plate, this one a wood duck. No arrows on the rib engraving.

Lots of people have seen this one before, but only in the interest of getting some guns on the forum for people to look at, and we have some new people, here it is again.

I've used it quail and pheasant hunting but it is only a 20ga and a little limited out here so I have to pick my shots more carefully. Its original factory chokes at about .005 and .025, about cyl and full, like quite a few upland Parkers. wt is 6 1/4lbs. Plenty barrel wall thickness, which I kind of like in a damascus gun. Sometimes I shoot RST's , sometimes factory Winchesters or Feds in 7/8oz depending on what I have around but I've used it on clays and I load down to 3/4oz. Lots of these old 20's were originally intended for a 3/4oz load.

Kinda nasty out today, cold and drizzly, so these are indoor photos, and not as good as natural light outside.

C grade · 03-09-2011, 04:21 PM

Bruce
I just love those C" with the roundel. Thank you for sharing it. Ever seen a C with a roundel and Bernard barrels??
David

Bruce Day · 03-09-2011, 05:10 PM

I've heard some member of a secret Parker small bore Bernard society in Michigan owns one.

C.O.B. · 03-09-2011, 09:22 PM

I know of a Bernard C grade small bore with Rondel engraveing in the Great Lakes region.

Pittypatdugan · 03-09-2011, 09:39 PM

Please show us some more pictures of The Wood Duck on the Bottom and the dog on the other side

The picture that you made of the dog on the left side is unbelievable

Thanks

PDD

Dean Romig · 03-09-2011, 10:45 PM

David, I have seen a couple.

Ever see a GH with roundelle engraving? I have, and I missed it on a Gunbroker auction a couple of years ago...

C grade · 03-10-2011, 07:38 AM

WOW! I have never seen one but would sure love to. If any of the members of the secret society are coming to the Southern, and could bring one, you would make this old mans year.
David

JLoew · 03-10-2011, 07:43 AM

I would suggest coming to the banquet this year in Louisville 09/10/2011. Since the theme is going to be C grade guns, I wouldnt be surprised if one shows up....

Bruce Day · 03-10-2011, 08:17 AM

So we know that there are not very many 20ga damascus guns, and I've counted about four known C damascus 20's, so now how about a one of a kind, at least no others are known.

Here is Gordon Smith's V grade 20, original and letters.

Bruce Day · 03-10-2011, 08:22 AM

So two friends of mine both own C 20's and here we have three together.

One has Acme barrels. The middle damascus one is extraordinary high condition and has deep cut engraving with a ruffed grouse on a log and drumming.

PS my error.....not a grouse, a pheasant.