GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
EXCEEDINGLY RARE (11 ESTIMATED) 20 GAUGE PARKER "A-1 SPECIAL" SHOTGUN WITH UNUSUAL DEEP RELIEF ENGRAVING WITH PGCA LETTER. PARKER SXS A-1 SPECIAL 158188 20GA MODERN; C&R (1912) Cal. 20 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 0 Frame. 28" Bbls are marked "PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN. CONN. WHITWORTH STEEL" on concave matted rib. There are 2-3/4" pyramids of deeply cut shaded scroll with floral highlights on breech ends, and geometric bands around muzzles. Engine turned bbl flats are stamped with Remington date codes "CNN3" and "APP3". SN is on left side of lump. Typical case hardened hammerless action features automatic safety (SAFE engraved) and checkered dbl triggers. Water table is engine turned and stamped with all correct markings. Action is nicely filed with three beads around fences. Top lever has filed in chevron and transitions to pierced scrolled thumbpiece. Action is engraved with full coverage exceptionally well done relief carved large open scrolling acanthus with floral highlights within geometric borders. This pattern and style was typical on early "A-1 Specials", much more bold and deeply cut than most later guns. "Parker Bros" is in relief on bottom of action. Blued trigger guard has matching scroll and flowers on pierced bow and SN in relief on tang. Well marbled and stump figured European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14" over skeleton steel buttplate engraved with semi-relief scroll. Sunken side panels are checkered and end in fleur-di-lis drop points. Checkering at grip is of early "A-1 Special" pattern, with flourishes into butt. A gold oval on toe line is engraved "C. C. Pope" "San Angelo" "Texas". Matching splinter forend has steel tip with filed nib and typical Parker release. Interior of iron is engine turned and stamped with SN and 1901 patent dates. Bore diameter: left -.621, right - .622. Bore restrictions: left - .023 (mod), right - .012 (lt mod). Wall thickness: left - .021, right - .020. Drop at heel: 2-1/4", drop at comb: 1-5/8". Neutral cast. Weight: 6 lbs. 0 oz. LOP: 14". Gun matches all specifications as listed in the PARKER GUN IDENTIFICATION & SERIALIZATION ledger, except it is listed as a grade "W7" whereas this gun was undoubtedly made as an "A-1 Special" (grade 8), and so marked on water table. PROVENANCE: Parker Gun Collectors Assn letter indicating gun was shipped May 1912 to J. E. Wells of Pine Bluff AK. CONDITION: Very good, as partially restored. Bbls retain nearly all of a well done rust re-blue over a few light marks, engraving slightly softened. Action has been cleaned to coin finish, engraving remains sharp and clear. Trigger guard re-blued, engraving softened. Buttstock most likely a factory replacement (factory records state it was orig supplied with a pad), retains over 90% of what appears to be its orig finish which is crazed overall. Forend wood is a later replacement (possibly factory, but not well done) which has SN in pencil in right bbl channel. Bores are fine with some scattered pitting in right bbl. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. An incredibly scarce and uniquely embellished small bore Parker. THE PARKER STORY estimates that 11 "A-1 Specials" were made in 20 ga., 3 with 28" bbls. 51950-1 MGM138 (60,000-90,000)