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LOT 3433
Extremely Rare and Outstanding Factory Engraved and Gold Inlaid Parker Brothers 16 Gauge A1-Special Double Barrel Ejector Shotgun - Serial no. 220551, 16 gauge, 30 inch vent rib bbl., blue/casehardened/gold finish, walnut stock. According to the chart on page 377 of “The Parker Story” by Gunther, Mullins, Parker, Price, and Cote, there were only 2 A1-Specials built with 30 inch barrels in 16 gauge making this possibly the rarest Parker shotgun to have ever been built. This gun truly is one of the finest examples of early 20th century American gunmaking that this writer has ever seen. Manufactured in 1927 on a size “1” frame. The gun has blued Peerless Steel dovetail lump barrels with single white bead sight on the added matted raised vent rib which has been finely remarked by hand “PARKER BROS. MAKERS, MERIDEN. CT. U.S.A. PEERLESS STEEL.”The barrels have 2 3/4 inch chambers with automatic ejectors, standard Parker Brothers markings on the flats, and 2 1/4 inch wedges of beautifully cut floral scroll engraving at either breech as well as a flourish of floral scroll on the doll’s head rib extension. The casehardened boxlock action displays magnificently carved fences with the lowest scallop cutting down along the side of the action and ending in a scroll on either side, jewelled watertable, and extensive fine intricate
floral scrollwork surrounding “PARKER BROS.” banners on either side and floral bouquets.
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