CH Bernard Set

[Bruce Day]

Kurt Densmore sent me photos of his wonderful CH Bernard 12/10 two barrel set. Both are 30's, both Bernards, on a #2 frame.
To put this gun in perspective, about 480 Bernard C's were made, we know from the SN book that about 18 16ga's were made and two are known to the collector community today. About 12 20's were made and none are known today. Most were #2 frame 12's, few 10's. Most were hammerless guns, about 4 top action hammer guns are left. There were a handful of 12/10 barrel sets made; this is one of them and is a fine example. I own another, which was abused and was a project. The 10's on that gun are the light 26"er's with cyl bores for upland game.

Bernard C's were made from about 1883 to 1918, most from about 1889 to 1905. A few from 1900 to 1905 had the rondell side panel engraving. Many had deer or elk on the bottom plate but many also had charming and pleasant gamebirds there, as does this one.

We also know that during the day that Parker was offering these guns, Parker stated that in order of resistance to bore wear, it was Acme, Bernard, then croille damascus. We know that the Bernard pattern originated with Leopold Bernard, Cannonier, Paris, France, and that the firm of Leopold, then Emile Bernard became famous for the pattern and their own barrels. Many Bernard made barrels can be found on high end continental and US guns of the day. In the late 1800's other manufacturers in Belgium began making the Bernard pattern, and so Parker began offering these barrels, considered some of the finest of their day, when they became available.

So here we have a fine example....thanks Kurt.