Still A Favorite Of Those Who Appreciate What’s Good In Life
by Royce Jordan
I was taking a slow stroll through last years fall wood patch of mixed White and Red Oaks in southeast Smith County, in an area I’ve frequented over several years whenever I got hungry for some fried up squirrel.
This woodlot offers a large abundance of cat (grey) squirrels and is target rich. I acquired a small double-barrel side by side Stevens 331A some time back, in .410 with full choke barrels. The little gun has 3-inch chambers and locks up purty good. This shootin’ iron was gathered up with intentions of having my young-uns’ a usable and serviceable hunting gun for whatever their chosen use.
A gray bushy-tail burst from a clump of beautifully red colored, white oak leaves and proceeded across the limb towards the tree trunk. The little side by side went straight to my cheek and shoulder, and dispatched the critter as efficiently as anyone could ask for. Not bad for a gun made in the 40’s.
I’ve been asked many times what my affinity is for obtaining and operating hunting firearms that are, quite frankly, considerably older than me. There comes a time when you reach a certain age that you become permanently unimpressed by a whole lot of stuff. A person reaches a point in their life when they can do what they want and couldn’t care less what anyone else thinks. I’ve noticed that the abrasive folks are just twisted up because their opinion doesn’t matter. I have the same thought process in my choices of hunting guns. The “older” firearms made in early to mid, last century America have manufacturing and finishing processes that are superior, in my humble opinion, to anything made later. These guns are truly American, and it makes me feel better!
The idea of the side by side shot gun is not necessarily an American design. The British and European countries have manufactured some awesome, state-of-the-art side by sides with the express purpose of sporting activities well before American sporters. Of course … you ‘bout-near had to be royalty to obtain them. This is where that American “can-do” spirit comes into play.
I recently hooked up with a family of gun enthusiasts who have made a living from firearms, and the business has been operating for over 8 decades, Mac’s Gun Shop, located at 213 E. Elm street in Tyler. I traded with the patriarch of the business, the late Richard (Mac) Mcbride and his son, Mark for as long as I can remember. Mac’s grandsons Matt and Wes, and great-grandson Caden work with Mark to carry on the name and the tradition. I talked with Mark on several occasions and recognized right quick, he and I share the same thoughts on our hunting irons.
I believe that every man, woman and child most likely have some friends or “buds” that they shouldn’t be allowed to sit next to at any serious function. He and I wouldn’t shut up talking loudly about the double guns and lever rifles … and mess the event up for everybody.
It did not take but a split-second to figure out Mark was a 100%, dyed in the wool, no questions asked, Parker Brothers (or just “Parkers”) enthusiast. He had the shotgun examples and books to back his interest as well. He knew the models and nomenclature better than most folks, and his knowledge was impressive. Mark explained to me, the models Trojan thru the 6 figure A-1 special grades, D and B grades being the most popular, in double and single trigger varients. He explained Parkers were started back in the late 1860’s, post civil war, to compete with the European companies making sporting arms that working folk and post war soldiers could afford. He said there were numerous independant side by side cap and ball shotguns made at that time, and we recalled our history of civil war cavalry soldiers using those arms in combat. They were most effective, but slow to load.
At the turn of the century, Parkers had numerous other gun manufacturers come into the game to target the American shooter and sportsman. Manufacturers like Savage, Stevens, AH Fox, LeFever, LC Smith and Ithaca to name a few. He advised Savage-Stevens was always a good start, and a fine serviceable group of guns they are, but the cream of the crop was the Parkers.
Mark believes the side by side, or SxS is more popular with birders (quail/ woodcock), but the over/under (O/U) version of double barrels has taken over in popularity for all other game birds, as well as sporting clays.
The discussion of barrel regulating came to mind. This is a process the gun manufacturer has to complete to make sure both barrels shoot to the same point of impact. The cheaper made shotguns do not have the finishing processes needed to assure this, but the more expensive model do. He explained that Parkers invented a “Swarm Pattern” process to assure the pattern surrounds the target regardless of the barrel fired. He explained all the better shotgun manufacturers solder or weld the finished barrel regulation for optimum results.
Mark believes the box lock receivers are stonger than side locks. Box lock guns have the mechanics built contained into the receiver, as opposed to behind side plate of the side locks. However, some of the most beautiful art and engraving detail work ever completed will be found on the side locks.
The lock up on the shootin’ irons can be as unique as the manufacturer. He advised that Parkers used a proprietary lock up (when the gun is open by the lever, then closed locking in the barrels, or breech to the receiver). Many manufacturers made Anson and Dealy lock ups, or those used by British gun manufacturer Greener. We recalled how John Wayne always carried his “Greeners” in some of his westerns.
Side by side shotgun fit was of utmost importance for the gun maker to the customer. Mark advised the European makers such as in England: Purdy, Holland and Holland, and Rigby … made the guns to the customer’s measurements. This is a very expensive process and the customer was usually very “well heeled.” These guns were extraordinary and pricey, and not purchase-friendly to the American consumer who had 2nd Amendment rights not afforded “common folk” across the pond, so to speak.
The butt plates on side by side guns made in this time frame were usually of hard rubber. Many shotguns that contained stained “bone” plates were soon discoverd to have insect damage to them, and required a lacquer application regimen that was not thought about until it was too late. People that replaced the plates with recoil pads were usually after-market modifications. He advised Parker made skeletonized butt plates that had wood removed and was filled in to assure strength and beauty. Mark advised he didn’t find much difference in the recoil of padded gun to butt plates, but agreed the felt recoil of these American made guns were front heavy due to barrel weight, and the fit was usually much better than mass produced foreign made modern guns. The fit was much better because length of pull (gun fit from shoulder to trigger), and the drop (angle of butt-stock downward to the plane of the shotgun) was handcrafted better by our grandfolk. Mark agreed that folks our age appreciate that! Our age…
He recalled a side story while using one of his side by side shotguns on a teal hunt years ago, and the fun he had with it. He and his hunting group had just arrived at a boat landing to call it a day, and the Game Wardens were at the location conducting inspections when a warden inquired if his gun was plugged (unable to load more than two shotshells in the “magazine” for a total of three shots), and Mark informed the warden his was NOT plugged. The warden sent him to a group of hunters about to be cited for violations. The warden asked for his gun and he provided his side by side. The warden looked at him with disdain and declared “You knew what I meant,” and walked away from him. Mark said the guy beside him looked pityful, and asked him if he could borrow his shotgun for a minute…
In the conversation of gauge type, Mark advised he uses 12 gauge for his purposes. He uses light loads for birds and only used high brass shells for waterfowl. He said folks like using the 20’s and 410’s, and many like the 28’s, but they are extremely expensive to own much less shoot. A Parker 28-gauge can be worth over $100K.
Mark noted that a large majority of folks that are our age brackets (baby boomers) prefer the older guns, especially the side by side and lever action rifles. About near everything about these gun types were hand made. He said his sons age group were more inclined to O/U’s, and his grandson is all about the auto’s. Everybody and every generation has their own thing.
I inquired what he would recommend to someone looking for a side by side shotgun in the early 20th century time period we discussed. He said there are clear differences in gun makers, quality, and price that would be the first to consider in the decision making process. For most people, an investment gun and a hunting gun are apples and oranges. If one is the same as the other … good for you. For a gun to use and hunt with, Mark said his dad, Mac, informed him a while ago… “I never seen a broke Parker side by side.” I told Mark the problem I personally have with a Parker … I couldn’t afford one that was well used, and I have seen quite a few at gun shows. We agreed the price is usually a deciding factor, but other American gun makers had good stuff that works for your purpose.
Mark suggested any gun that catches your eye can be evaluated by holding and inspecting the gun. Does it fit you? Is the balance correct for what you feel? Does the gun weld to your cheek properly when you shoulder it? Is the condition suitable, or is it scratched or marred? Does it smell like after market blueing solution? Does it lock up properly, and is the lever snug to the center or slightly right? He advised that folks had a tendancy to slam an action shut instead of working the lever to close it. It’s wear and tear that could have been avoided. He added to make sure the barrels have not been tampered with or cut down.
Mark advised he was personally a fan of the single trigger guns, where his father was a double trigger man. I told him I have a Savage Fox B BSE single trigger that hunts well, but I liked the double triggers for immediate barrel selection.
We discussed some other notable SxS guns like the Winchester 21, which is a drop-dead-gorgeous example of American-made artisan workmanship. The price range of great condition, in that time period, upper-end manufacturers would usually start about $1000.00, with prices lowering depending on condition. You could pay as much as two folks can agree on for others. His Parker “D” Grade is a personal favorite and goes for about $8000.00. Keep in mind, just about all of these gun makers had secondary and off-shoot gun names, made during this time frame and they are really sturdy shooters. There is nothing like taking a trip down America’s Heritage highway. Find one of these guns and shoulder it, and get a case of the “want to’s.” Just researching these guns of our grandpappys is a satisfying endeavor, and ownership of one for the hunt is just indescribable.
