Again, Rick's question: "Would they (Parkers) be considered the AMERICAN VERSION of Purdey for the time period?"
I think its been answered. None should be comparing Parker to Purdey.
For the hell of it, I looked up my plain-as-pudding A&N 12ga in Diggory Hadoke's wonderful The British Boxlock Gun and Rifle (Safari).
Referring to Webley&Scott as a common supplier to A&N, he wrote: "In fact, these may well be some of the best value sporting guns available today as the quality is "best" but the brand value in today's market is very low."
"Very low." All they lack is embellishment, prestige and the means to buy one. Just a thought. I lost my letter but I think it sold for 22 or 32 shillings in 1913. It looks and handles so nicely I'd take it anywhere.
PS--Page 205, Dig notes under buy the gun, not the name, referring to photos in the book: "The photographic evidence clearly points out the superior quality of some Charles Osborne and Army&Navy boxlocks to those of Purdey or Holland and Holland."
"The most famous and probably the most highly regarded of American-made side-by-side double guns is the Parker."---JO'C The Shotgun Book
