A. G. Parker and Co
of Bisley Works, Whittall Street, Birmingham. Telephone: Central 7162. Cables: "Riflemen"
1880 The Company was founded. The firm initially traded from premises in Icknield Street, Birmingham and was joined by Arthur T. C. Hale, who was manager by 1910.
A. G. Parker's son, Alfred J. Parker, was working in the business by the latter half of the century's first decade.
By 1910, young Alfred was designing aperture sights for the firm and performing remarkably at Bisley with a 'Long' Lee-Enfield fitted with one of his own sights. They moved to Whittal Street at about this time. This address became that of the famous "Bisley Works" subsequently stamped on so many of the company's products. The product range became most comprehensive and included all mannner of especially built target service rifles, sights and ancillaries, imported and other British manufacturers' rifles, cleaning and maintenance paraphernalia, targetry, ammunition and, of course, Parkerifling.
WWI. Alfred Parker served in Belgium and France in the First World War and survived to return to the family business.
By 1925 A. T. C. Hale had become a director at some point prior to 1925.
Prior to 1928, Alfred left to set up his own company Alfred J. Parker and Co.
1929 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of .22 Rifles, Rifle Tubes, Aperture sights, Cleaning-rods, Shot Gun Rods, covered with celluloid, Horn and flexible Jags, Rifle Vices, Telescope Stands, Aiming Devices, Armourers' Tools, Targets, Precision Machine parts. (Stand No. B.54) [1]
Around 1930, Arthur Hale's involvement in the company had reached such a significant level that the name of the company was changed to Parker-Hale, as it has remained to this day.
It seems that there must have been some distancing between A. G. Parker and his son and, although their product ranges were quite similar, many identical items were separately named (probably bought in). Alfred offered an equivalent barrel re-lining service for small-bore rifles whilst his father's refurbished barrels were stamped on the crown.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ 1929 British Industries Fair Page 131
- [1] The U.K. N.R.A. Historic Arms Resource Centre