October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting

All > Firearms > Shotgun-Antique

All > Firearms > Shotguns-Modern > Semi-Auto

Bidding

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018

Parker Bros. made five Grade 7 (AA) Grade Hammer guns, all with Whitworth Fluid steel barrels. This gun is the only one they made as a factory original multi barrel set (3 sets of barrels) and was originally ordered and owned by famous Parker Salesman and shooter Arthur W. du Bray. Several books have been written about du Bray and this gun has been rumored in the Parker circles as legend for many many years. It was recently discovered in the original Family and consigned to our firm by Arthur du Bray's Great Grandson! du Bray was well known as a champion pigeon shooter and the leading salesman for Parker Brothers on the West Coast - living in the Bay Area and distributing guns for Parker during his travels. The gun has double triggers, extractors, and no safety. The gun was originally ordered as a 12ga with 30" Whitworth Steel barrels on a No. 2 Frame. The original order called for 3" chambers, no rib extension on the barrels, no matting on the rib and special stock dimensions which are all outlined in the Parker Gun Collectors Association Letter. The PGCA letter for this gun is extensive and should be carefully reviewed as the gun matches the letter nearly exactly as found today with du Bray's numerous calls for servicing of the gun. Barrel set #2 is a set of 32" Titanic Steel Barrels, added in 1898, with full length matted rib (no rib extension, per PGCA Letter), engraved and fully checkered splinter forend, and white front bead. Barrel set #3 is a set of 32" Whitworth Barrels, added in 1902, with full length matted rib (no rib extension, per PGCA Letter), and white front bead, and fully checkered forend with forend metal engraved to match. All of the barrels and changes to the barrels are almost exactly as documented in the PGCA Letter. The full sidelock action is fantastically full coverage engraved with tight scroll and floral patterns throughout. The sidelocks are fancifully engraved "Parker Bros." on both sides surrounded by scroll and perfectly executed busts of flowers. The bottom of the action is fully scroll and floral engraved with flowers engraved on the bottom of the sculpturing. Trigger guard bow and tang are fully engraved with gorgeous floral and scroll pattern. There is a small hole at the back of the bow for a finger bump. Straight grip buttstock is checkered in a 3 point pattern with gold oval near toe and gold shield behind top tang. The butt is 3 point checkered and appears factory. The head of the stock features Fleur-de-lis well carved behind the auction. The Fishtail top lever is fully engraved as are both hammers. Breechballs are fully sculpted and engraved to the highest order done by Parker. Barrels were all special ordered without wedge engraving and show a small floral ring at breech end. All 3 forends are fully checkered and fully engraved irons with matching tips. CONDITION: Excellent as found. The action shows crisp engraving overall with about 25-30% original case color remaining though it is difficult to discern due to extensive engraving. Buttstock is excellent with minor handling marks and shows most of what appears to be its factory original finish from 1901 as documented in the PGCA Letter. The checkering has just barely started to thin from handling wear by du Bray. Barrels all show an older reblued finish. Barrel set # 1 has the original Damascus top rib without matting (as specified in the PGCA Letter) and crisp barrel legend, and usual proper Whitworth stampings. It retains nearly all of the reblued finish, bores are bright and shiny with only minor handling marks. Forend for this set is all original with checkering slightly thinned at carry point. Bores are very good. Barrel set # 2 (Titanic Steel) retain nearly all of the reblued finish, show a few minor handling marks, with crisp matting, engraving, and barrel legend. The later mid-bead (red) on this set has come off and only the base remains. Forend iron for this barrel set appears to be original, though recolored long ago, and the wood may be a later Remington or Del Grego replacement though it matches the others in all aspects included the mullered border checkering, but tip shaping leads this cataloger to believe it is a possible replacement. Bores are good with minor rivelling noted at thin spot towards muzzle. (The PGCA Letter confirms this set of barrels was sent back to Parker to "Make light as can" and the thin spot near the muzzle is most likely factory work). Barrel set # 3 (Whitworth Steel) retain nearly all of the reblued finish, show a few minor handling marks with crisp rib matting, engraving, and barrel legend. The forend for this set appears original in all respects with checkering in excellent original condition as is forend metal. Bores are very good. The most recent book on the Life and Times of Arthur W. du Bray was written by well known author Ed Muderlak in 2002, who is now deceased. Muderlak spent a great deal of time researching du Bray, his shooting exploits, and his salesmanship for the Parker Gun Co. du Bray was known as the consummate Victorian shooter and his Parker Grade 7 3 barrels set is near mythical in the Parker World. Collectors should also view the other important lots related to "Gaucho" du Bray in this auction - all consigned directly from A.W. du Bray's great grandson and never before offered for sale! This particular lot is easily the most historically important Parker shotguns to come to market and worthy of the very finest and most advanced Parker Collection. Truly a Parker Treasure!!

Bidding Current Bidding Minimum Bid: $25,000.00 Final prices include buyers premium: $54,000.00 Estimate: $50,000 - $80,000 Number Bids: 7	Auction closed on Friday, November 2, 2018.

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