VERY RARE AH GRADE PARKER 12 GAUGE SIDE-BY-SIDE SHOTGUN AT MERZANTIQUES.COM
It’s a Parker Bros A.H.-quality with ejectors (which makes it an A.H.E.) and ACME fluid steel barrels. Back when it was built in 1917, it was Parker’s third-best gun, two down from the top-of-the-line A1 Special and a single step below the company’s famous AAH-quality shotguns.
Parker AH Grade Shotgun, page from a Parker catalog, from parkerguns.org
As you can imagine, it was expensive in its day. It cost more than most guys took home in six months, and that’s one big reason why Parker only built a total of 306 AH-grade shotguns. They were just too expensive for most folks.
Parker AH Grade Shotgun, page from a Parker catalog, from parkerguns.org
But if you had the money ($250 in the 1920s), you could buy yourself a great looking gun.
VERY RARE AH GRADE PARKER 12 GAUGE SIDE-BY-SIDE SHOTGUN AT MERZANTIQUES.COM
VERY RARE AH GRADE PARKER 12 GAUGE SIDE-BY-SIDE SHOTGUN: Gun features a 30 inch barrel with an unusual 2 Ivory beads on it. Choked improved cylinder and modified. AH stamp on the water table as well as a number 6. 175k serial range. Original straight grip stock measuring 14-5/8 inches to the end of the Josten pad. Excellent condition with most original varnish. Sharp checkering. It has a gold inlaid unused inscription plate in the stock. This Parker is in beautiful shape with 85-90% bright case colors on the frame. Bottom of the receiver retains just traces of case color. The trigger guard is nicely engraved with a dog and has traces of blue remaining. Bottom of the receiver has a beautifully done dog with a bird in it’s mouth and a running deer. Both sides of the receiver are game scene engraved. Quite delicately done. Gun has the correct splinter forearm as well automatic ejectors. Also has the correct barrel markings “Acme Steel” on top of the rib. Overall this just a great gun. This is the 3rd A grade I have bought this week. This one came from an estate out of Fargo North Dakota. It has been identified in the Parker gun identification and serialization book having all the mentioned features. Has never been on the market before. Gun weighs 7pounds 5 ounces. Price:$ 41,500.
A. Chapu ~ Stunning from pre-WWII Paris BEST quality Sidelocks
A. Chapu ~ Stunning from pre-WWII Paris BEST quality Sidelocks: Hammerless Sidelocks – This along with our number 3967 is a fabulous pair of Shotguns. Quality of a Boss, Purdey, or Holland Royal’s this pair is a joy to hold, fondle, and at a price much less than what the others would certainly cost you. BEST quality features include chopperlump barrels, double seared locks, bushed firing pins, and articulated front triggers. Featured in what I believe to be their original retailer’s trunk case these guns are in outstanding condition. The weight and choking combined with their original 2 3/4″ chambering make these guns an excellent choice for sporting clays or the hard dying Montana, Dakota\’s and eastern Oregon ringnecks. Price:$14,500
A.H. Fox CE 16 gauge SXS Philadelphia shotgun
A.H. Fox CE 16 gauge SXS Philadelphia shotgun: Fine example of an original Fox CE with beavertail forend. A gorgeously crafted American-made shotgun in spectacular condition. Serial Number: 303164. Ejectors: Yes. Condition: Excellent. Metal Condition: Excellent. Wood Condition: Excellent original finish shows little wear. Bore Condition: Mirror. Barrels: 28″. Barrel Type: Chromox Steel. Triggers: Double. Gauge: Sixteen Stock Comb: DOC: 1 3/8″, Stock Heel: DOH: 2 1/2″. Stock Cast: Off. Fore End: Beavertail. Butt Pad: Leather. LOP: 14.5. Finish: Hand-rubbed Oil. Sights: Single Steel Bead. Manufacture Date: 1931. Chokes: Left: Modified (.017), Right: Improved Cylinder (.006). Minimum Wall Thickness Left: .043″. Minimum Wall Thickness Right: .039″. Price:$15,500
CSMC RBL 28 ga 28 inch Deluxe wood English Stock, Auto Eject, Cased
CSMC RBL 28 ga 28 inch Deluxe wood English Stock, Auto Eject, Cased: RBL002862, Caliber/Gauge: 28 Ga., Barrel Length: 28 inch, Sights: Factory Original Bore: Excellent, Rib: Solid, Choke: Improved Modified/ Modfied, Chamber: 2 3/4 inches, Length of Pull: 14 3/4 inches, Drop Comb: 1 1/2 inches, Drop Heel: 2 1/4 inches, Weight: 5.52 lbs, Cast: Neutral, Finish: Factory Original, Grips/Stock: Factory Original Price: $4750
PRE-WAR 1930 FRIEDRICH HEYM 12GA. 26″ DELUXE 4A GRADE SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUN
PRE-WAR 1930 FRIEDRICH HEYM 12GA. 26″ DELUXE 4A GRADE SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUN: Serial number “60xx” and dated 11/30 (1930) on barrels. Raised solid ib engraved “Grade 4A Krupp Fluid Steel Barrels” so made for the American market. Barrels also engraved “Suhl, Germany” on left and ‘Fr. Wilh. Heym” on right. All the correct proofs on water table. Very old professionally reblued barrels(only barrels) choked improved cylinder and modified and chambered for 2 3/4″ shells. Markings still crisp. Mint brilliant bore with no dents or dings. Ejectors. Original splinter forend with horn tip, original checkering and no cracks, hairlines or wood losses(engraving superb including screw heads inside). Deluxe 4A case colored receiver with crisply heavy relief engraved game scenes(see photos) and most of the original case colors darkening to patina. Screws unturned. Cocking indicators. Boxlock with sideplates. Dbl triggers extending through 14 1/3″ length of pull over original basketweave horn buttplate with no losses(often chipped or worm eaten). Original buttstock with fabulous deluxe wood(match forend) having horn pistol grip cap and NO cracks, hairlines, or wood loss. Checkering original and very fine. Right hand cast. Lever at center and tight on face as would be expected with sideclips. Works perfectly. Heym still in business today. Very fine example of one of Germany’s greatest makers and never before been on the market. Weighs 6 lbs. Price:$3,850
ITHACA SKB 280 20GA
ITHACA SKB 280 20GA: These are rock solid guns! No issues. Ready for field, forest or range. A few hunting marks keep wood from being Excellent. Chambers: 3 IN, Ejectors: Yes, Condition: EXCELLENT, Metal Condition: EXCELLENT, Wood Condition: VERY GOOD, Bore Condition: BRIGHT CHROME LINED, Barrels: 25IN. Barrel Type: CHROME LINED, Triggers: SINGLE SELECTIVE, Gauge: 20GA, Stock Comb: 1 1/2IN, Stock Heel: 2 3/8 IN, Butt Pad: ORIGINAL, LOP: 14 1/4 REAR POSITION SINGLE TRIGGER, Weight: 6 LBS 2 OZ, Choke Left: MOD Choke Right: IMP/CYL. Price:$1675
If you could only own 3 double-barrel shotguns, which ones would you pick? This isn’t a question I want to face, but if I had to, my answer would be:
PURDEY – BAR IN WOOD 12 GAUGE
A 12-gauge hammergun like this JAMES PURDEY & SON BAR IN WOOD. I’ve always been fascinated by old school SxS shotguns. I’ve shot these SxSs, and every time I pull back the hammers I feel like I’m traveling back in time. I love how hammerguns do this and link you to a style of gunmaking and to a sporting world that’s long gone now.
LEBEAU COURALLY 12 1932 SIDELOCK EJECT 30″ WHITWORTH CHOPPER LUMP Bbls. TOTALLY ORIG. AFTER 86 YEARS VERY NICE WOOD BUILT as a PIGEON GUN.
A lightweight, 12g game gun like this LINSEY BROTHERS, LEEDS ENGLAND – CASED for sale. As an upland hunter, I carry my gun far more than I shoot it. So I like to hunt grouse and woodcock with a gun that weighs around 6 1/4 pounds. But I also like the proportions of a 12 gauge (most of the time, anything smaller than a 16 feels too small). Twelve-gauge ammo is also easy to come by, and it comes in all sorts of loads. So with one gun, I can hunt quail on Monday, pheasants on Tuesday, and grouse the rest of the week (in theory, anyway), and I can always use ammo that’s just the day’s game.
JAMES PURDEY & SONS BEST PRE WAR PIGEON GUN 12 GAUGE
When people talk about the very best shotguns, this is what they have in mind. The Purdey SxS you see here is one of the finest I’ve seen, and it’s in superb condition.
JAMES PURDEY & SONS BEST PRE WAR PIGEON GUN 12 GAUGE
This gun is a great example of what a true Best-quality shotgun should be. Overall, it has a distinct look — handsome and proud, but not gaudy or ostentatious. Metal-to-metal and metal-to-wood fit is as perfect as it gets, all around. The action and little things like the toplever are filed up beautifully. And the stock and forend are shaped and proportioned perfectly. And check out those drop points.
JAMES PURDEY & SONS BEST PRE WAR PIGEON GUN 12 GAUGE
Because it’s all original, this SxS is also a great example of how a gun from that period was finished. Look closely. See how the hinge pin, safety, and screw in the toplever are all a bright blue, while the toplever itself, as well as the triggerguard and forend iron are an inkier blue to almost black? Now see how the blueing on the barrels has turned a purplish hue over time. This mix of finishes is a big part of what makes these old, original shotguns so beautiful — and desirable.
JAMES PURDEY & SONS BEST PRE WAR PIGEON GUN 12 GAUGE
Also, check out how the action looks a bit dull and dirty overall. That’s because it was varnished when new to protect the color-case hardening. Much of that original varnish remains, and over the last 80+ years, it has yellowed a bit, picked up some grime, and lost its sheen.
JAMES PURDEY & SONS BEST PRE WAR PIGEON GUN 12 GAUGE
Made for live-pigeon shooting, it was built in in the 1930s — one of the best periods for British shotguns. As crazy as it seems, it’s gun #3 of at least a trio. Perhaps that’s why it was never used — the owner had two others just like it to go to first.
JAMES PURDEY & SONS BEST PRE-WAR PIGEON GUN 12 GAUGE: #24XXX, 30″ SELF OPENING, CHOKED .041″ AND .041″, CHAMBERS 2 3/4″, DOUBLE TRIGGER, EJECTORS, SPLINTER FOREARM, ENGLISH GRIP, MAKER’S CASE, MINT ORIGINAL CONDITION, 7LBS 6 OZ, 2″ DAH, 1 9/16″ DAC, 14 3/4″ LOP. Price:$47,500
JAMES PURDEY & SONS BEST PRE WAR PIGEON GUN 12 GAUGEJAMES PURDEY & SONS BEST PRE WAR PIGEON GUN 12 GAUGEJAMES PURDEY & SONS BEST PRE WAR PIGEON GUN 12 GAUGE
Ten gauge Purdey shotguns are not very common, so when one pops up, it catches my attention. The one you see here is at Alex Cooper Auctioneers in Towson, MD, and it goes off today, September 28 @ 1:00 PM EST.
Interestingly, this one is nitro-proofed for 1 1/2 oz loads. That’s the same amount of lead than a 12g, 3 1/2″ shell throws. But a ten gauge does it better and throw better patterns because of its larger bore size. It’s also built to handle the recoil, so it will do less damage to you, and itself, when you pull the trigger.
10 gauge James Purdey & Sons Double Barrel SxS Shotguns
James Purdey & Sons 10 gauge Double Barrel Sidelock SxS Shotgun: London, 1905, made on order of J. H. Smith, Tuxedo Park, NY; blued double barrel, 31 in. L.; engraved case-hardened frame; checkered burl walnut stock and forearm; with original case and several accessories (including barrel rods, cleaning tools, and loading tools). Estimate: $20,000 – $25,000
10 gauge James Purdey & Sons Double Barrel SxS Shotguns
12 gauge James Purdey & Sons Double Barrel, SxS Shotgun
Before there was golf, there was pigeon shooting. At one time this game/sport was one of the most popular pastimes in America. Cities and towns across the country had clubs dedicated to pigeon shooting, and the local papers reported on the shoots like they were high school basketball games. Big money was won and lost at pigeon shoots and serious competitors had double barrel shotguns custom made for the game.
Today, most of the pigeon shooting clubs are gone. But many of the guns built for the ring are still around. With long barrels, tight chokes, a heavy proof, and a pretty high stock, the James Purdey side-by-side shotgun you see here may be one of those double barrels. It looks like it’s in fantastic original condition, and today it would be the perfect gun for sporting clays, high, driven pheasants, or to just check out and appreciate.
12 gauge James Purdey & Sons Double Barrel, SxS Shotgun
JAMES PURDEY & SONS – 12 ga.SIDELOCK EJECTOR SELF OPENING PIGEON GUN : 31’ BARRELS CHOKED 7/8 & FULL (.030/.045 ) – SIDE CLIPS & THIRD FASTENER – STRAIGHT HAND STOCK MEASURES 14 7/16” OVER PAD X 1 3/8” X 2” – PROOF IS 1 ¼” WITH 2 7/8” CHAMBERS – CASE COLOURS 75% – HAS RAISED MATTED PIGEON RIB – MADE IN 1926 – CASED IN ORIGINAL OAK & LEATHER . Price: $39,000.00
12 gauge James Purdey & Sons Double Barrel, SxS Shotgun
Well it happened. Yesterday, this highly anticipated 12 gauge Parker AAH Pigeon Gun hit the block. When the auctioneer smacked his gavel and called “Sold!”, the winning price was a stunning $25,500.00 or about $30,000 with the buyer’s premium.
This Parker AAH was made around 1895, and I think it was the fifth AAH that Parker made. Online, the pics and description of it were pretty pathetic. I’m guessing it must have checked out as very original, and it must have been impressive in hand, to bring that kind of money. I also wonder if there was something else about it that made it special — like maybe it was the first one made with Whitworth Fluid Steel barrels.
For comparison, here’s a later Parker AAHE (a AAH with Ejectors) that sold in Julia’s March 2013 auction:
You read the headline right: The Thomas Hirchak Company in Williston, VT, is auctioning off this 12 gauge Parker AAH Pigeon Gun on Thursday, April 04, 2013. The action starts 10:00am Eastern, and I bet this Parker will be sold to the highest bidder by 11:30am.
This shotgun looks like the real deal: One of America’s finest shotguns in excellent condition. Here’s more info on the gun from the auctioneer:
The finish on this AAH it looks pretty original. It was made in 1895, so the single trigger is a replacement. But it does look like it could be a Parker single trigger. The barrels may be replacements. In 1895, AAH Parkers came with fine Damascus steel or Whitworth fluid steel barrels. So this side-by-side may have been made with damascus barrels and then had them changed to fluid steel bbls at a later date – maybe when the single trigger was added. If you really want to know, I would reach out to the folks at the The Parker Gun Collector’s Association for more information about the shotgun.
Parker Bros. AAH Pigeon Gun Double Barrel Side-by-Side Shotgun, from the Parker Gun Collector’s site
Here’s a similar Parker AAHE (a AAH with Ejectors) that sold in Julia’s March 2013 auction:
The Grade 7 is also called the AA grade. It was intended to appeal to the pigeon shooters. A total of 243 were made. Most were hammerless…Early AAH guns were marked “Pigeon Gun” on the top barrel rib. The first AA was seen about 1895 and at that time, it was Parkers highest grade. It sold for $400 in 1895…
The engraving on early AA guns tended to be deep chisel, but later the engraving became lighter in style…the stocks were made of the finest Circassian walnut…The stocks had a gold shield and gold pistol grip cap, and they were fitted with a skeleton butt plate as standard but recoil pads were an option. The barrels were made of the finest Damascus steel or Whitworth fluid steel…
12 gauge James Woodward & Sons Over/Under Double Barrel Shotgun
Yesterday I wrote about the 20 gauge Woodward coming up in Julia’s fall 2012 auction. Today we’re going to talk about the 12 gauge Woodward that’s in the same sale.
This 12 gauge is an killer double, and in capable hands, it would be an absolute hammer in the pigeon rings. Made in 1927 for Florida real estate mogul Wade Harley, this O/U must have won its owner plenty money. One of its coolest features is unusual forend. It features a series of finger grooves, original to the gun and added by Woodward in London, designed to keep a shooter’s fore hand in a consistent position, shot after shot.
Check out all that original color case harding, too. From muzzle to butt, it’s just a plain awesome O/U.
Finger grooves in the forend of the 12 gauge Woodward O/U
SN 6798. (1927) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 30″ Demi-bloc bbls mounted with matted, flat, ventilated rib fitted with two red target beads, are engraved “James Woodward & Sons. 64. St. James’s Street. London. England.” on left side of top bbl. Right side of top bbl and bottom bbl flat are stamped with SN and London nitro proofs for 2-3/4″ chambers and the 1 1/4oz load. Bottom bbl is fitted with an extra loop, uncut for latch, to aid in recoil absorption. Robust, case hardened, deeply filed detonating, low profile action features automatic “T-safety” (SAFE inlaid in gold), double triggers, and gold line tumbler end cocking indicators. Action and lockplates are engraved in superb Woodward style with very finely cut small scrollwork with rose bouquet highlights. “J. Woodward & Sons” is roll scroll flanked at front of each lockplate. “Woodward’s” “Patent” “Under & Over” is on bottom. Scroll engraved trigger guard extends to grip cap with SN at grip. Robust, nicely marbled, and lightly figured Circassian walnut full capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-7/8″ over leather-faced rounded Silver type pad, and features hard rubber grip cap, drop points, point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and a gold oval on bottom engraved “P”. Matching, one piece, 11″ long, semi-beavertail, ejector forend has finger grooves carved into sides to match the shooter’s hand with cutout areas stippled. (This feature is specified in factory records.)
12 gauge James Woodward & Sons Over/Under Double Barrel Shotgun
Bore diameter: top -.730, bottom -.730. Bore restrictions: top -.033, bottom -.023. Wall thickness: top -.023, bottom -.024. Drop at heel: 2-3/8″, drop at comb: 1-7/16″. Weight: 8 lbs. 6 oz, LOP 14-7/8″. Included with gun are Abercrombie & Fitch hang tag and white bag containing A & F marked envelope with case keys, and wax paper wrapped pair of strikers, automatic safety slide and spring, and action rod. Woodward’s are well known for best quality guns and produced the O/U from 1913-1948, when Charles Woodward retired and sold the firm to Tom Purdey. From this point onwards, the Woodward gun replaced the old Edwinson Green based Purdey O/U and has been the gun offered by the firm from 1950 to the present. If you can’t beat ’em… buy ’em!
PROVENANCE: Factory records indicate that the gun was made in 1927 for Mr. Wade Harley. Wade was a prominent real estate developer who made a “fortune” in Florida’s real estate boom of the late 1920’s.
CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain essentially all of what appears to be orig blue, but is possibly an old London quality re-black. Action retains 50 – 60% orig case hardening color, fading on bottom, and silvered on beads and bolsters. Lockplates retain nearly all of their orig vivid color. Top lever and trigger guard retain 85 – 90% of their orig charcoal blue. Thumbpiece is slightly silvered, blue on trigger guard is thinning on grip. Buttstock retains nearly all of a glossy oil finish, most likely redone. Edges are slightly rounded, some finish in checkering, wood well above metal. There is an incipient 3/8″ crack behind left lockplate, and a minor stress crack behind right. These hairlines are typical and should pose no repair problems. Forend finish appears to be original, with slight wear to checkering. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout, with no visible imperfections. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Bottom ejector will not trip (broken spring). Tag is good. Safety parts are fine.Some minor repairs will make this rare Pigeon gun the “Lord of the Ring”. 4-46136 MGM156 (30,000-45,000)
20 gauge James Woodward & Sons Over/Under Double Barrel Shotgun
The over-and-under shotguns made by James Woodward & Sons are some of the finest double barrels ever created. Introduced in 1913 and then significantly improved in 1921, the Woodward-patent O/U was offered right until the company was bought by Jame Purdey in 1948 and Woodward turned out right around 225 of them in all, with 118 in 12 gauge & 61 in 20 gauge.
Julia has two of these James Woodwards O/Us–a 12g & a 20g–in their upcoming fall 2012 firearms auction. Both of these are the fully improved, later models and they’re probably one of a kind.
20 gauge James Woodward & Sons Over/Under Double Barrel Shotgun
The 20 gauge has two unique features that make it special: original 28″ barrels and an original Boss-patent single trigger. That combo makes it an exceptionally desirable shotgun.
20 gauge James Woodward & Sons Over/Under Double Barrel Shotgun
SN 6950. (1931) Cal. 20 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. Desirable 28″ Demi-bloc bbls with solid, matted rib fitted with red beads, are engraved “James Woodward & Sons. 64. St. James’s Street. London. England.” on left side of top bbl. Right side is stamped with proofs, as is breech area of bottom bbl. Both are stamped with SN and London nitro proofs for 20 ga. 1 oz shot and 2-3/4″ chambers. Scaled down, beautifully sculpted, case hardened, low profile, sidelock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold) with Woodward’s typical T-shaped safety slide, reinforcing bolsters, gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, and Boss single non-selective trigger (trigger plate engraved “Boss’s Patent No 22894”). The Boss trigger was the finest of its kind and coveted by London makers. Action and lockplates are engraved with exceptionally well cut small shaded scroll with floral bouquet highlights in “Best” London style. “J. Woodward & Sons.” is in roll scroll flanked oval device at front of each lockplate, and “Woodward’s” “Patent.” “Under & Over” on bottom of action. Small bow, single beaded, scroll engraved trigger guard has SN at tip of grip. Very fine, beautifully marbled, slightly stump figured Circassian walnut semi-pistol grip buttstock measures 14-5/8″ over checkered wood butt with scalloped steel engraved heel and toe plates, and features well shaped drop points and 26 LPI flat top point pattern checkering with mullered borders. A gold oval on toe line is engraved “G.P.” Matching single piece ejector forend has Anson release.
Bore diameter: top -.615, bottom -.615. Bore restrictions: top -.003, bottom -.003. Wall thickness: top -.022, bottom -.022. Drop at heel: 2-9/16″, drop at comb: 1-5/16″. Weight: 6 lbs. 2 oz, LOP 14-5/8″. Included with gun are an Abercrombie & Fitch hang tag with specifications, and plated striker bottle SNed to gun, containing a pair of spare strikers, and mainspring for right lock.
PROVENANCE: Factory records indicate that it was completed in 1931 for Dr. C. H. Ernlunds.
CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain nearly all of a very fine London quality re-black. Action retains a considerable amount of orig case hardening color in protected areas, but is mostly a bright hand worn silver. Lockplates retain 30 – 40% fading orig case hardening color, left lock being strongest. Top lever and safety retain most of their orig charcoal blue, trigger guard nearly all of a re-blue. Iron retains most of its orig blue. Screw slots show some use. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout, with no visible imperfections. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in perfect time. Trigger works flawlessly. Hang tag is very fine. Striker bottle is excellent. A fine small bore “Best” O/U, of a pattern still built today by James Purdey & Son, having scrapped all of their previous designs once they acquired Woodwards in 1948. 4-46137 MGM155 (35,000-55,000)
