Parker A1 Special Repro 20ga – 2-BARREL SET, CUSTOM ENGRAVED, CASED

The Parker A1 Special represents the highest grade of the Parker Reproduction line, and this 20-gauge two-barrel set, serial number 20-071, is an exceptional example of the concept. The gun is accompanied by both 26” and 28” barrel sets and its fitted oak-and-leather case with accessories and protective cover.

The engraving is unquestionably one of the defining features of this Parker. The field scenes are beautifully rendered, but it is the depth and dimension of the work that make the engraving so impressive in hand. On the underside of the receiver, the setter stands amid an upland scene in which even the individual sticks, branches, grasses, and ground cover have been cut with remarkable realism. The small details seem to stand away from the steel rather than simply being drawn upon its surface.

The surrounding scrollwork is equally noteworthy. It is deeply cut, beautifully designed, and used particularly well in the difficult spaces around the field scenes. Look closely at the lower rear corners of the boxlock receiver, where the engraver filled the available area with flowing scroll of remarkable depth and movement. The engraving works beautifully with the vivid case colors and restrained gold accents, producing an action that rewards close examination from virtually every angle.

The engraving was completed after the gun’s original manufacture rather than being the standard factory A1 engraving, but documentation identifying the individual engraver has not been located. This is consistent with the history of the A1 Special program, which included high-grade guns supplied “in the white” specifically to be individually embellished by accomplished engravers according to the owner’s preferences.

The straight-grip stock is fashioned from highly figured walnut and finished with a skeleton buttplate. The wood has particularly attractive figure through the butt and complements the high-grade metalwork extremely well. Stock dimensions are 14-1/4” length of pull, 1-3/8” drop at comb, 2-1/8” drop at heel, with approximately 3/16” cast off.

The two barrel sets give the gun distinctly different configurations. The 26” barrels have .619” bores with measured constrictions of .020” and .012” and minimum wall thicknesses of .032” and .031”. The 28” barrels also measure .619” in both bores, with constrictions of .019” and .039” and minimum wall thicknesses of .031” and .032”. The bores are mirror bright, both sets have solid ribs and gold front beads, and chamber lengths measure 2-3/4” and 3” respectively.

With the 26” barrels installed, the gun weighs 6 lbs. 9.7 oz.; with the 28” barrels, 6 lbs. 11.4 oz. The action and hinge are tight. The gun is fitted with a single selective trigger, automatic safety, and automatic ejectors, with trigger pulls measuring approximately 4.1 and 4.4 lbs.

The complete presentation includes the fitted oak-and-leather case, case accessories, and protective cover. Together with its two useful barrel sets, highly figured straight-grip stock, skeleton butt, excellent dimensions, and especially impressive custom engraving, serial number 20-071 represents a particularly elaborate interpretation of the Parker A1 Special.