Another Lifter!

[Mark Landskov]

Greetings!
I just picked up my 2nd Parker. It is a 'Lifter', serial number 15728. The serial number on the water table has a 'U' above it. Is that the grade? What was the retail on this gun, I wonder? The 'Laminated Steel' barrels are 10 gauge, 2-5/8" chamber, and 32" long. Weight of the barrels was 6 pounds, 3 ounces. The frame is a number 3. The straight gripped stock is checkered, with no 'shield', and a steel buttplate. The forend has a sliding wedge fastener and is also checkered. I will be working on photos soon!

[Robin Lewis]

Your gun left the factory in 1879 as a grade 2 (G grade) with 32 inch, 10 ga, Laminated barrels and a straight grip. Just as you discribe it today.

Congratulations! You have what seems to be an unmolested Parker.

[Robert Rambler]

Mark, Congrats on your new find! :cool: I have serial #15901, a 10 gauge hammer gun with 30in "Plain Twist"steel barrels,delivered in 1881 at a cost of $55.00.

[Pat Dugan]

Cost to buy today would be $ 1220.00

PDD

[Mark Landskov]

I think I have stock issues that may require extensive repairs. I don't know if the gun was restocked. The exterior appears fine, but the interior is rough. I am basing this on a comparison to my other lifter. The inletting appears rather crude compared to my older lifter. I think the gun suffered a trauma of some sort in its past.

[calvin humburg]

Neet gun!!!!!!!! Awating pictures. Love a stright grip.

[David Hamilton]

Pat, I think you used currency values to come up with the value. But I think that all the hand labor in that gun would cost a great deal more today. David

[james van blaricum]

I have a 12ga. plain twist steel barrels , 30 in ss# 15855. neat gun

[Mark Landskov]

James, my other lifter is an 1877 vintage 12 gauge with 32" 'Plain Twist' barrels. I am anxiously awaiting their return from Brad Bachelder. The barrels were sewer pipes, to say the least. There was a very pronounced ring/bulge 3" from the right muzzle, which must have popped the top and bottom ribs loose. The ribs were soldered back down, but not very nicely! The barrels 'rang true', though. Brad also figured that some sort of chemical, such as Naval Jelly, had been used to clean the exterior of the barrels. Any pattern remaining was BARELY visible beneath the forend. Soooo....it was either an expensive wall hanger, or a 3rd choice when I got bored with my RBL or Syracuse LeFever! Ruffed Grouse hunting is my main passion (aside from my Royal Enfield). Cheers!

[james van blaricum]

Mark, My lifter was in better shape, in fact it is in great shape for its age. I am going to clean it up and shoot it. I have some RST shells.










RST

[Mark Landskov]

I use Polywad Vintagers in my 2 Damascus LeFevers. I will use them in my 'new' Parker barrels, too! It is nice to have these special cartridges available for non-reloaders like me! I plan on loading my own 10 gauge shells, though. RMC has lathe-turned 2-5/8" cases and a simple loading tool.

[George Lander]

Hello Mark: I have lifter No. 0229. Did you ever get to shoot those 16 inchers on the Big Mo? I would have loved to see that.

Best Regards, George Lander RD2 1959-1963
USS Voglegesang DD862
USS Manley DD940

[Mark Landskov]

I was a Plankowner on Missouri. I was there for everything (including Cher's video all over a fresh coat of paint) but the last trip to Pearl. I arrived in December of 1985 and left in September of 1991. I spent the entire time in Turret One. First, as Damage Control Petty Officer, and the last 3 years as Turret Captain. If it had been possible, I would have done my whole 20 on her. We expended lotsa powder! A standard service charge was 660 pounds of propellant with a 1900 or 2700 pound projectile. It was a rush when a gun recoiled 4 feet, right at you! We shot pert near 300 rounds during Desert Storm, just from Turret One. The RD rate went away long before my time. They combined with others to become OS, Operations Specialist. My hat is off to the 'Tin Can' man. I don't think my stomach would have done so well on one! Cheers!

[George Lander]

Hey Mark, that's right. If we were in port more than a few days and if it was a little rough when we went out you would see a lot of us at the rail "laughing at the fish". We were in a typhoon in December of1960 off the west coast of South Africa and when it was over we had to go aloft & pull seaweed our of the radar antennas. That one wasn't a whole lot of fun.

Best Regards.......George

[David Hamilton]

Mark, I bought 50 of those RMC 2 5/8 10 ga shells and their loading kit. I recomend them. The only thing I need is a brush that will clean the inside bottom to remove burnt black powder. David

[Mark Landskov]

Cool! Thanks, David. My biggest concern was the validity of their loading tools. Otherwise, the only other choice would have been 4D dies at about $178.00. If need be, I was ready to go that route, but as long as the RMC tools work, I can save a ton of money.

[Mark Landskov]

I started cleaning the 'old girl' up. Here are some photos of the receiver. The colors have disappeared, but it is in great condition! The barrels are next! Does anyone know what the 'U' is for?

[Dean Romig]

On page 590 of TPS the "U" is found in the table of "Marks Found On Parker Brothers Guns Which Are Not Fully Understood" however I have heard it said that it is a reference to "Underlifter".... but, who really knows?

[George Lander]

Hey Mark: Wasn't the USS Boxer an LPH after it ceased to be an aircraft carrier, CV Essex Class, or am I mistaken? I believe that we operated with her out of GITMO when Fidel got friskey and started playing with Nikita's nukes.

Best Regards, George

[Mark Landskov]

George, I Pre-Com'd the 6th Boxer, a "Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship", in 1994. The Boxer you remember was the fifth. We carried 2,000 Marines, 2 LCACs, a handful of APCs, AV-8s (Harriers), UH-46s, 53s, 'Hueys', and Cobras. LHD 4 is, indeed, a small 'flat-top'.

[calvin humburg]

Tell me about RMC shotshells. Were do you get them? ch

[Mark Landskov]

http://www.rockymountaincartridge.com/index.html

Here is the home page for Rocky Mountain Cartridge.

[David Hamilton]

Mark, I salute you for your service to our country! I served three years in the Army but saw no combat. I am distressed by the young of today who don't think about military service, which was on all of our minds in my time.
I am not happy about a volunteer military. The future of our civilization depends on our willingness to serve for its defense. David

[Mark Landskov]

David, thank you for the kind words. My last 3 years of active duty were as a recruiter, right here in my home town. Trust me, I saw it all first hand. As for the RMC brass, did they use a regular 209 primer, or large rifle primers?

[David Hamilton]

Mark, RMC shells are a different kettle of fish from Magtech. They are turned from solid brass and use 209 primers. Perfect for the old guns with no real forcing cone. They will make them to your exact measurements although I found that 2 5/8" standard 10 ga fit my gun perfectly. Don't make the mistake of shooting them in a proof gun with non tapered chambers as they will not afterwards fit in your gun. David

[Nicholas Sarro]

What are RST shells? I have a 1879 10 ga lifter and didn't think it was possible, smart or safe to shoot a gun made for black powder. Mine also has a few small dents on the sides of each barrel. It looks like someone had to use it as a club after he fired his last two shots.

[calvin humburg]

They are shotgunshells made for the ol guns. They are of excellent quality and shoot very well. They say get your barrel checked which sometimes isn't very easy. Pictures would help whats the bore like, how deep are the dents. Googal rst shotgun shells and youll have all the info one rst. Does the gun close up tight? ch

[Nicholas Sarro]

At first ,no. But I've been spraying WD40 and usyng a toothbrush & 0000 steel wool to get the rust off. It opens & closes like it's new now. I didn't see the dents but felt them while steel wooling the barrel. All the pieces have the same serial numbers, 13814. It was made in 1879. My local gun smith doesn't think it's worth investing any serious money in it. I'm retired so I have lots of time & not too much money to invest. I want to do the right thing & not destroy any value may have.

[Mark Landskov]

Hi Nicholas. Welcome aboard! RST, Polywad and New Era are outfits that make low pressure shotshells that perform admirably on game and targets while being gentle on our geriatric shotguns. Unfortunately, RST is the only one that loads 10 gauge. I just received an e-mail from New Era stating that 12 and 16 are the only offerings, with 20 on the way. Nothing about 10s in the very near future. My 10 gauge lifter is 15728. It has 32" Laminated steel barrels and weighs a tad over 10 pounds. The barrel flats on your gun will exhibit various numerical and alphabetical markings to help identify your gun. Cheers!

[calvin humburg]

Nicholas, Sounds like fun what does it say on the barrel rib. Whats the # on the barrel lug. Much ingraving on the lock plate? Whats the bore like? Sounds like 20 questions eh. Hammer gunes are so neet. ch

[David Hamilton]

Measure your chambers. My 1875 10 ga has 2 5/8" chambers and very short forcing cones. David

[Nicholas Sarro]

Lots of ingraving, the web says Parker Bros. ???? Conn. Damascus steel. There's a small o then a 2 on the lug. Lower flat area has a D with 526 under it. The serial # is on the other flat 13814 as well as on the back end of the lug.I don't know how to post pictures but another member did it for me after I emailed them to him and they're posted on one of my other posts labeled pictures. I have to learn how to make them smaller. I'm not good with computers. I'd love to be able to shoot it at least once or twice(Each barrel).