GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
ELEGANT AND RARE 16 GAUGE PARKER AAHE WITH 32" BARRELS AND STRAIGHT GRIP STOCK.PARKERSXS AAHE21379416 GAMODERN; IVORYCal. 16 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 1 Frame. 32" Bbls with matted, concave rib mounted with two "certifiable pre-ban ivory" beads, is marked with Parker''s famous Meriden CT address and "PEERLESS STEEL". There are 2" triangles of very well cut open scrolling acanthus on breech ends of bbls, and geometric bands at muzzles. Bbl flats are stamped with grade, Peerless steel logos, and weight. Left side of lump is stamped with SN. Typical Parker action is filed in "AA" grade style with three beads at bottoms of fences, two of these beads extend to top, and one runs along engine turned water table. All correct numbers are on water table. Action features non-automatic safety and single non-selective Jurjevic trigger. (These highly regarded, reliable triggers were installed by master gunsmith Josef Jurjevic, who worked in NY during the 1970''s and ''80''s.) Action is engraved with near full coverage deeply cut, open, attenuated scroll with floral terminations and highlights. This classic high grade Parker engraving melds into semi-relief engraved vignettes of ducks and quail. Two mallards erupt from marsh on left side of action, while a pair of pintails settle into marsh on right. Trigger plate is engraved with covey of quail sitting around a rock in tall grass. "PARKER BROS" is in riband at bottom front of action. Top lever has filed in chevron, and top tang is engraved with pigeon sitting on branch. (It appears this gun was originally made with no safety, as present safety button covers engraving and "S" is newly stamped.) Trigger guard bow is engraved in same style as action. SN is at grip. Beautifully marbled and nicely figured flesh-toned Circassian walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14" over skeleton steel buttplate. Engraving style on plate matches that found on action. Stock is embellished in typical "AA" grade style with inset checkered side panels, and deeply carved fleur-di-lis drop points. Checkering has shaped border with fleur-di-lis intrusions toward butt. A vacant gold oval is on toe line. Splinter ejector forend is near fully checkered, has typical steel tip and Parker release. Ejector patent date is on engine turned iron. Accompanied by a Parker records letter which identifies the shotgun as having been found in Parker Bros. stock book no. 75 as an AAHE hammerless, 16 ga, it had 32" Peerless steel bbls, with capped pistol grip stock with optional single trigger placed in the front position. The letter states that it weighs 7 lbs. 4 oz., had an LOP of 14-1/4", drop at comb: 1-1/4", drop at heel: 2-1/2" and 2-7/8" chambers. The letter states that production of this shotgun began in Aug 1925. Bore diameter: left -.669, right -.667. Bore restrictions: left -.032 (full), right -.029 (full). Wall thickness: left -.029, right -.022. Drop at heel: 2-9/16", drop at comb: 1-5/8". Weight: 7 lbs 6 oz. LOP: 14". PROVENANCE: The James Parker Collection. CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refurbished. Bbls retain approx 95% of what appears to be orig blue, but is possibly an older exceptionally fine re-black, having a few minor marks, some spots, and high edge wear. Action retains a considerable amount, maybe as much as 60% orig case hardening color, actual percentage difficult to ascertain due to extensive engraving. Trigger guard retains nearly all of a re-blue. Replacement buttstock (? listed in ledger as "capped pistol grip") retains nearly all of what appears to be orig finish with some added oil, and loss during excellent repair of crack completely through wrist. This repair appears very solid, and action and trigger guard tang have been glass bedded. SN is not visible on wood under trigger guard tang, and there is no SN stamped on underneath of tang. Checkering competently re-cut. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Trigger works. THE PARKER STORY relates that a total of 238 Peerless steel bbl AAH guns were made, only one 16 ga. with 32" bbls. A wonderful high grade Parker. 49450-24 MGM385 (40,000-60,000)