2270

*EXTRAORDINARY INVESTMENT QUALITY GOLD INLAID PARKER A1 SPECIAL 16 GAUGE SHOTGUN.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:67,500.00 USD Estimated At:135,000.00 - 165,000.00 USD
*EXTRAORDINARY INVESTMENT QUALITY GOLD INLAID PARKER A1 SPECIAL 16 GAUGE SHOTGUN.
SN 235676. Cal. 16 ga. 2-1/2" Chambers. No. 1 frame. 30" Peerless steel Bbls. Of the 79 Parker A1 Specials known to have been produced, only six were made in 16 ga., three of which were made with Peerless steel and only two with 30" bbls. This fine gun matches all specifications in PARKER GUN IDENTIFICATION AND SERIALIZATION ledger, and is exceptionally unusual in that it has relief gold inlays of birds and dogs in the manner of the two known Invincible grade guns. Bbls with concave, matted rib mounted with two ivory beads, are marked "PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN. CT. U.S.A. PEERLESS STEEL". There are 2-1/4" triangles of well cut scroll engraving at breech ends. Engine turned bbl flats are stamped with Parker proofs, Peerless Steel logos, and all other correct marks. Breech ends of bbls are damascened as are tops of lumps. Typical case hardened action is filed with four beads around fences with bottom bead extending around transition to bottom of action and has scrolled finial. Action features automatic safety and gold-plated single selective trigger with blade checkered. Action is engraved with near full coverage well cut small scroll framing very unusual relief gold inlaid vignettes of birds on action, with grouse on trigger plate, duck rising from marsh on left, another passing over marsh on right side. "Parker Bros" is in raised gold on bottom of action. A pointing setter is in relief gold on trigger guard bow, with raised gold SN at grip. Lovely dark red, finely marbled, and lightly figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14" over engraved steel skeleton buttplate, checkered portion having fleur-di-lis points. Checkered side panels with fleur-di-lis drop points, have ribbons through checkering. Approx 28 LPI grip checkering has bold flourishes extending into butt in fleur-di-lis pattern toward action, all with fine mullered borders. Horn grip cap has beaded gold line at transition to stock, and large gold oval in top engraved with portrait of curly haired dog. Matching splinter ejector forend has engine turned iron. Accompanied by a best quality contemporary oak and leather trunk case with a brass medallion on the lid engraved "Parker Bos./16 Gauge/Invincible Quality". Lined with rich burgundy felt with leather Parker Brothers trade label on lid and compartmentalized for 30" bbls and accouterments incl ebony handled brass chamber brush,2 turnscrews, oil bottle, 2pc cleaning rod and accessories. Bore diameter: left-.662, right -.662. Bore restrictions: left -.025 (Full), right -.018 (Mod). Wall thickness: left -.020, right -.026. Drop at heel: 3", drop at comb: 1-13/16". Weight: 6 lbs. 15 oz. LOP: 14". PROVENANCE: Parker letter with specifications of this gun. The 1930 price for an A1 Special grade was $796.00. This gun is illustrated on p. 368 and 369 of Volume I of "THE PARKER STORY". CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain 90 - 95% orig blue, silvering near fences, and along sharp edges of rib, thinning at normal carry point. Action retains 80 - 85% orig case hardening color, pleasingly silvered on fences, around bottom, and on beads. Thumbpiece has considerable silvering, as does trigger guard which is mostly silver. Stocks retain most of what appears to be their orig varnish finish with one or two minor marks, and some chattering on top left of buttstock. Checkering is excellent, lightly worn. All damascening and engine turning of water table, bbl flats, etc., is excellent. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout with no visible imperfections. Action is tight. Bbls are on face.††Trigger and ejectors are excellent. Case is excellent inside and out with only very minor rubs on contact points.††An exceptional and iconic Parker shotgun, the last A-1 Special to be made at the Meriden, CT factory. 4-48257 MGM208