Manufactured in 1911 as the highest grade ever offered by Parker besides the three Invincibles, only 79 A1 Specials were manufactured during the Parker production run according to the production statistics on page 377 of the book "The Parker Story" of which 39 have Whitworth steel barrels and only 35 guns feature the combination of 30 inch barrels and 12 gauge chambering. "Parker Gun Identification and Serialization" verifies the grade, barrel length, capped pistol grip, and ejectors. Single bead sight on the finely matted concave rib marked "PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN, CONN. WHITWORTH STEEL", jeweled flats with "W" and "8" markings to signify the Whitworth Steel barrels and Grade 8 configuration, 2 3/4 inch chambers, automatic ejectors, and full chokes. The casehardened receiver is fully engraved with broad, leafy, floral and scroll patterns with decoratively relief engraved and sculpted fences, large "PARKER BROS" maker's mark on the underside, "A1S/154991/8" and patent information on the jeweled water table, fancy pierced through trigger guard engraved to match, gold washed checkered dual triggers, and automatic tang safety. Very nicely figured, fancy fleur-de-lis checkered splinter forearm and pistol grip stock with engraved fittings, checkered flats, hard rubber grip cap with inset, engraved gold initial plaque, and matching engraved skeleton buttplate over a fancy checkered bare butt. Barrel and stock measurements are: bore diameter at 9 inches from breech .735/.735 inch; bore constriction .040(full)/.040(full); minimum wall thickness .055/.055 inch; drop at comb 1 5/8 inches; drop at heel 2 1/2 inches; length of pull 14 1/8 inches.
Very fine with 95% of the high quality refinished blue remaining on the barrels with some small dings, faint polishing marks, and traces of edge wear. The receiver retains 60% of the original muted case colors, sharp well-defined engraving, and handling marks mostly on the lower tang. The re-oiled wood is also very fine with attractive grain and color, some small dings, and mostly crisp checkering. The section of wood visible inside the skeleton buttplate is not original to the item, instead being an inlaid wood veneer which matches in color to the stock. The grip cap is slightly loose. Mechanically excellent.
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