john parks

[rbs]

Although I found an interesting piece at this site re John Parks Jr., I have found relatively little re John Parks Sr. I would be most appreciative to learn the following re Sr: 1. When did he work? 2. What are some of the typical characteristics of his guns?; 3. Relative to his contempoaries what is the quality of his work?; 4. What is the value range for Parks Sr. rifles? Thanks.

[Don Getz]

From the information compiled by Mark Laudenslager, John Parks Sr. worked in the period 1820 - 1845.  He is shown to
live in Penn Township.   Penn Township was then a part of Union County, but became a part of Snyder County when this
split was made.  Without looking at a current map of Snyder County, I think it is in the Selinsgrove area..........Don

[rbs]

Don, Thanks for info re Parks Sr.   

[JTR]

rbs,
Do you have a John Park rifle? If so, could you post some pictures?

I have a rifle I bought some time ago, as a John Park made rifle. It's signed on the barrel JP in script. Seems John Park Jr might have signed his JPjr, but I haven't see enough to honestly know one way or the other.
The gun I have is incised carved on both ends of the cheek piece, has a nice side plate similar to what S Baum might have done, and is a percussion, maybe original, maybe not, but will stay as a percussion while I have it. The rifle is also broken in two pieces through the lock area, but is slowly being put back whole again.
Sorry, I don't have any good pics of it right now.

John 

[rbs]

John,

I don't have a parks rifle. Hope all is well for you.  Rick

[Loudy]

RBS,

I wish I knew more about John Parks Sr.  The few guns I've seen by him were well made.  Below is the full extent of the information that I've been able to gather on him.  I hope somebody is able to add more here.

Mark Loudenslager


John Parks, Sr.
Born:   abt. 1790 Ireland
Died:   1846 probably Penn Township, Union County, Pennsylvania

John Parks, Sr. is listed as a gunsmith in Penn Township, Union County (now Snyder County) tax lists in 1820, 1823, 1826, 1829, 1832, 1835, 1838, and 1841.  He was assessed in 1826 as a tenant on land owned by Henry Laudenslager and having a log house and a log shop.  John Parks, Sr. was assessed in 1829 as a tenant on land owned by Henry Ritter.  In 1842, 1844, and 1845, John Parks, Sr. was assessed on income earned as a gunsmith in the tax records for Penn Township, Union County.  John Parks Sr. married a woman named Elizabeth.  Together they had four sons; John, James, Robert, and Levi.  John Parks Jr. took up the gunsmith trade from his father. Sons John Jr. and James stayed in Snyder County, while the other sons removed to Indiana.  According to 1850 census records, John Sr.’s wife Elizabeth lived in Elkart County, Indiana with his son Levi.  John Parks, Sr. signed his rifles “J*P” on the top barrel flat centered between the rear sight and the breech plug.  A rifle made by John Parks, Sr. is in the collection of the Packwood House Museum in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. 

1850 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Elkhart County, Concord Township
Widow Elizabeth Parks, age 63, b. PA; Levi Parks, age 23, occupation “Laborer”, b. PA

[JTR]

Not a great picture, but it's all that I have right now of the J * P signature on the barrel of my rifle.
John

[rbs]

Mark and John, thanks for further info and for photo. rick

[Shreckmeister]

The Great Pinyone shared these photos of a signed John Parks rifle

This rifle, which is in excellent condition, has a brass four piece patchbox
with eleven piercings. The flint lock appears to be in excellent original
condition and is stamped "Atkins Warranted". The full octagon barrel is
signed "J.P." and the stock is curly maple wood. The rifle features a brass
comb inlay and a brass saddle plate. The cheek side of the butt is
attractively carves and the fore stock is attached to the barrel with four
barrel wedges, each surrounded by a silver inlay.  The lock is held in place
by two lock bolt screws, each with its own small washer shaped side plate.
The entire rifle is in marvelous condition with only a small repaired stress
crack forward of the lock plate. This is a wonderful example of the early
work of the school of gunsmithing collectors call the "Upper Susquehanna
School" which roughly encompasses the area from Snyder/Union County north

[JTR]

Rob, Thanks to GP and you for posting these pictures. Parks guns seem few and far between and this one is a fine example.

And since there's a lot of similarities between this one and mine, these pictures will help a lot in the repair on mine.

You wouldn't happen to have a shot of the barrel tang area would you? Also a shot of the initials on the barrel?

John

[rbs]

Rob,

Thanks for your post re Parks rifle. Its very nice. What's its approximate caliber and barrel length? Thanks. Rick Schreiber

[Shreckmeister]

Checking with owner for you guys.

[Shreckmeister]

[Avlrc]

http://www.michaelsimens.com/Kentucky_Rifles_Powder_Horns_Bowie_Knives_accessories.asp

[Shreckmeister]

The Parks rifle here and on Mike Simens website both show strong characteristics of
the  Baum rifles.  Too much to be coincidental.  Anyone know the relationship between
them?

rbs,
Do you have a John Park rifle? If so, could you post some pictures?

I have a rifle I bought some time ago, as a John Park made rifle. It's signed on the barrel JP in script. Seems John Park Jr might have signed his JPjr, but I haven't see enough to honestly know one way or the other.
The gun I have is incised carved on both ends of the cheek piece, has a nice side plate similar to what S Baum might have done, and is a percussion, maybe original, maybe not, but will stay as a percussion while I have it. The rifle is also broken in two pieces through the lock area, but is slowly being put back whole again.
Sorry, I don't have any good pics of it right now.

John 

[JTR]

Thanks for the tang and initial pictures Rob! Much appreciated!

John