Idle Minutes

I’ve always been fascinated by the Sportsman’s world. It’s a fancy world. You see, guys have an element of fancy in their preferences too. “Fancy” is not for ladies only.

Take the traditional Double Gun for instance. To a lady (most ladies anyway) a gun is a gun. But to a guy, a Double Gun is a thing of beauty…of art.

A world of knowledge, of which I have little, is required to design and build a fine Double Gun. The barrels must be matched and tuned, the fit of each piece is remarkably precise. The actions must be delicate yet stout. The woodwork and metal embellishment, is an art in itself. The checkering on the stocks and engraving on the side plates is tedious and precise work.

In the end, a functional creation of great beauty, balance, and design.

Parker Bros. made double guns for about 50 years. This is a somewhat rough representation of an actual Parker. It’s close enough to be recognizable though. Parkers are revered. They are fine examples of Gunsmithing. The company was a fine example of what a company should be to. They served their clients well. They provided what the client wanted. Parkers were usually custom ordered by discerning, wealthy people.

Double Guns are still made today of course. And today’s makers are revered as well. Parkers however, as well as other makers no longer in business, are sought after by collectors.

How big a deal can a Double Gun be to a collector?

How about paying from $50,000-$100,000 for a collectible Double Gun from Parker, Purdy, or any of the other renowned makers from the past? Yep, that’s what they go for at auction.

There is an element of romance in fancy items. Be they jewels, guns, swords, clothing…something about the way fancy things are made is stablizing. Perhaps because we have become wanderers in such a busy, overloaded existence, we seek the patience of those who make these items. Therein lies their value. To remind us of what we can do if we purposefully put our minds and lives to the processes of excellence.