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GEORGE HERMAN (BABE) RUTH JR'S GH PARKER SHOTGUN.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 4,500.00 USD
GEORGE HERMAN (BABE) RUTH JR'S GH PARKER SHOTGUN.

Cal. 12 Ga., 2 3/4". S# 114261 (1902). Through the years there have been many guns enhanced with added engravings, etc. to lead one to believe that they were owned by famous people. This gun actually appears to have been owned by "Babe" Ruth. Although the gun was made in 1902 it is possible that Ruth acquired the gun second hand at a later date. The trigger guard bow is engraved with a baseball bat with the name "George H. Ruth Jr 1915" along its length. At this time Ruth was a well known pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and a photograph exists with Ruth and two other Red Sox players hunting in the Squam Lake area of New Hampshire. Ruth is holding a double shotgun, possibly this one. This shotgun has had metal parts heavily polished and refinished, however the trigger guard bow shows a considerable amount of light pitting and many marks and scratches on what appears to be its original surface. It seems that whoever did the "restoration" was aware of the value of leaving the engraving untouched. Some later heavy polishing is evident on the looped borders of the engraving, which are at front and back of the trigger guard bow. Babe Ruth is known to have thrown and batted left handed. The stock of this gun is CAST ON about 1/2". Lower grade Parkers are seldom made with cast. This gun matches specifications in ledger, with 30" Damascus barrels and pistol grip stock. Parker info and "DAMASCUS STEEL" is on matted rib. All correct markings are on barrel flats including "2" frame size. Case hardened Parker action with all correct markings on watertable features automatic safety and double triggers. Action is engraved in usual "G" style with ovals of game birds on sides within geometric and scroll borders. A pair of pheasant are on trigger plate. Parker capped pistol grip buttstock measures 13 7/8" over Parker dog heads buttplate with spur. Typical "G" checkering is at grip and a German silver shield is on toeline. Matching splinter forend has patent date on latch. MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .735". R .736". Restriction: L .039" (extra full). R .007". (IC). Wall thickness: L .025". R .027". STOCK: DAH: 2 1/2". DAC: 1 3/4". CAST: about 1/2" on. LOP: 13 7/8". WEIGHT: 7 lb. 5 oz.. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Parker letter which confirms specifications and states gun was ordered by C.C. Hackett Of Derry Station PA May 13, 1903. It was returned Aug 1903 and later sold to William I. Tyler of Penn Yan NY, who had the chokes opened by the factory. CONDITION: fine as heavily restored. Barrels retaining nearly all of a good quality rebrown with very fine definition to pattern. Action retains nearly all of an attractively colored rehardening. Engraving is considerably thinned. Polishing is fairly well done without drag marks or distortion. Trigger guard retains nearly all of its reblue. Engraving and surfaces of bow are unpolished, with old pitting, dings and staining evident. Stocks retain nearly all of a dark oil refinish over some remaining deep dents. A 1 1/2" piece of wood at toe is replaced and buttplate also shows repair in this area. Otherwise buttplate shows considerable use with dents and scratches. Checkering recut; this work is bit haphazard on forend but fairly well done at grip. Bottom of grip area around trigger guard tang shows considerable glass bedding and epoxy repairs. There is a 3/4" crack on right side of grip from safety button down into checkering. Bores are fairly dark lightly pitted throughout, there is evidence of dents being removed in both barrels 5"-14" behind muzzles. Action is tight, top lever is stiff and sometimes will not hold to the right position when barrels are open, otherwise mechanically good. (22-5617/MGM). CURIO. $ 2,500-4,500.