GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
ANTIQUE PARKER AAH "PIGEON GUN". PARKER SXS AAH 83934 12 GA IVORY (1896) Cal. 12 ga. 3" Chambers. 2 Frame. 30" Bbls are engraved "Pigeon Gun. Parker Bros. Makers. Meriden. Conn. Whitworth Steel" on matted top rib, which is fitted with two "certifiable antique ivory" beads. Bbl flats and lumps are stamped with all correct markings. Bottoms of bbls have Whitworth steel trademarks. Action, with correct marks and grade on water table, is nicely filed with three beads around fences, chevron on top lever, and deep flutes at transition of bottom of action to trigger plate. Action features non-automatic safety and Miller sgl selective trigger (installed in 1997). Action is engraved in a pattern often found on "AA" grade Parkers, that many find to be Parker's best. It consists of nearly full coverage of exceptionally well cut, varying sized floral accented open shaded scroll. "Parker Bros" is on either side of front portion of action. The engraving on this gun is more intricate than that shown on most of other "AA" guns pictured in the PARKER STORY, but is the same as that type illustrated on the hammer gun made in 1897, and is undoubtedly by the same engraver. It is interesting to note that there is no scroll engraving on breech ends of bbls. Finely marbled, and lightly figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-3/16" over red Old English pad, and features typical "AA" type checkered side panels, fleur-di-lis drop points, and fancy border checkering. A vacant gold oval is on toe line. Matching splinter forend has nicely filed steel tip, and typical release. Bore diameter: left - .734, right -.733. Bore restrictions: left -.024 (mod), right -.005 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.023, right -.022. Drop at heel: 2-1/8", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Weight: 8 lbs. 0 oz. LOP: 14-3/16". Gun is listed in the PARKER IDENTIFICATION & SERIALIZATION ledger as being a grade "6" with a pistol grip stock. Gun has been in straight grip configuration for a very long time (disassembly of grip shows extended tang, most likely factory), but is most definitely a grade "7". Gun is accompanied by its orig forend wood, checkered in fleur-di-lis style, and an old restock without drop points, with point pattern checkering and relief checkered side panels. THE PARKER STORY indicates that approx 238 AAH guns were made in all configurations and gauges, 121 with 12 ga. 30" bbls. PROVENANCE: Copy of 1925 dated factory letter responding to questions about this gun indicating that it was shipped in 1896, and that if the bbls were cut to 26" there would be no choke. The cost for removing recoil pad and fitting skeleton butt, and engraving the plate in the correct style, would be $15.00. 1997 informational letter from Howard Miller regarding trigger. CONDITION: Very good, as partially refurbished. Bbls retain approx 90% of an old re-black, with some scattered flecks, light scratches, and thinning on either side of forend. Action is cleaned to overall pewter gray, engraving somewhat worn and softened, especially on fences and at bottom, which has some striations. Newly made stocks retain nearly all of their orig finish with some light marks and a relative small, but deep, dent at top rear of comb. Checkering is still light in color. Bores are excellent, but have a few scattered light dents. Action is loose. Bbls are off face. Trigger works. Orig forend wood is considerably worn. Older restock retains most of what appears to be its orig finish, checkering worn. 50471-1 MGM137 (10,000-15,000)