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RIFLE & MEMORABILIA OF HERB PARSONS, WINCHESTER

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
RIFLE & MEMORABILIA OF HERB PARSONS, WINCHESTER

REP & "SHOWMAN SHOOTER". Beginning in 1930 until his untimely death in 1959, Herbert Parsons of Summerville, Tennessee, worked for Winchester as a manufacturer's rep & exhibition shooter. During this time, Herb travelled the country, thrilling audiences with his amazing marksmanship. During his one hour programs, Herb fired 700 rds. demonstrating the quality & reliability of several models of Winchester rifles & shotguns. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a unique grouping of Herb Parson's memorabilia. "Western - Winchester Guns and Ammunition" is the red felt headline sewn to his blue canvas table cover along w/ yellow felt lettering "Herb Parsons / Shooting". This one of a kind table cover is in very good condition, retaining vivid colors. Promotional items in this grouping include a framed 24" x 18" poster w/ Herb holding a model 12, standing behind a table full of Winchester firearms, is titled "The Showman Shooter / Herb Parsons World Renowned & Courtesy of Winchester Western". Bottom of poster has spaces for date, place & time. A second framed poster, 19" x 10", shows Herb wearing his shooting jacket & hat in a seated pose w/ a Winchester 64 Deluxe which may well be the rifle included in this lot. A four page foldout picturing Herb shooting several firearms & proclaiming him to be "Champ of the stunt shooters". Two smaller brochures promoting his sensational shooting abilities are also included. Eleven black & white photos show Herb w/ various Winchester guns & vehicles as well as celebrities including Jimmy Stewart. Other items include Winchester stationery, business card, & a 1958 Christmas card picturing Herb with a model 42 & his two young sons. A letter on Winchester Western letterhead dated Dec. 10, 2005 & signed by Herbert Lynn Parsons is thanking Anthony S. Sapienza for purchasing his father's model 64 Winchester rifle, S# 1117903. The letter goes on to state "I am especially pleased because of the desire you expressed to me of having your collection in a museum at some point in the future. This is the only firearm from the estate of Herb Parsons which has been sold publicly....Most of his other firearms are in museums around the country. / I am sending along several other items which you requested as part of the acquisition. The photo copies are some of his best and are self-explanatory, as are the stationery and business cards. The Christmas card is an original from 1958." Also included is a copy of the book "Showman Shooter: The Life and Times of Herb Parsons" by H. Lynn Parsons, M. D. & Jerry M. Parsons, Ph. D. Herb's M64 rifle is: Cal. 30 WCF. S# 1117903. Bbl. 24" tapered rnd. w/ ramp mounted bead front sight & sporting rear sight. Two third's length mag. Blue finish. Trim beavertail walnut forearm & hard rubber capped pistol grip stock w/ hand checkering, super grade swivel bases & checkered steel buttplate. Mfg. 1939. CONDITION: bbl. & action retain 75% lightly faded blue showing scattered spots of blue loss, scratches & light pitting. Wood has worn original finish & checkering showing spots of finish wear w/ numerous sm. dents, scratches & marks. Bright bore retains strong rifling. (02-16670 & 22-1430/DS). CURIO. $5,000-8,000.