12 gauge hammergun

[Fred Lowe]

These are photos that I have taken of a gun that has been in my wifes' family for a long time. It supposedly belonged to her great grandfather who was the bishop for the Episcopal church in the Montana Territories.
As you can see it's not in great shape. Was in her brothers basement for years, and fathers before that. My brother in law gave it to me about 3 years ago. Serial# 26218 I've included a shot of the forearm with his name stamped in it-S.D. Hooker. Same family that the prostitutes won their moniker from following the troops in the Civil War.

[David Hamilton]

The barrels don't appear to have a dolls head. Do they have the same serial number as the receiver? The number will be on the right side of the barrel lugs. David

[Fred Lowe]

The dolls head has been broken off. Numbers match on all parts.

[David Hamilton]

The dolls head can be repaired by a competent gunsmith and if the gun checks out it could be returned to service. Nice example of early Parker, Congratulations! David

[Fred Lowe]

Any recommendations for a gunsmith out west? Or should I consider sending it back east? Any idea ballpark of what I could expect to pay for that repair?

[Bill Murphy]

Any repair to the dolls head that would return the gun to original condition would be ridiculously expensive. The dolls head is not a neccesary part of the function of the gun. Many Parkers are made at the factory without dolls heads and work just fine. Fill in the void in the receiver with shaped black epoxy, a hand made steel piece, or leave it empty.

[Fred Lowe]

This is a gun that I feel would need to be looked at by a competent (Parker) gunsmith before I would consider shooting it.. There are a couple relatively small dents in the barrels that are visible from inside as well as out, and there is a small amount of movement in the action when closed. Any recommendations of where to go with this? I am in Utah.

[Bill Murphy]

Unless you want to receive a bill that is out of proportion to the value of the gun, send it to Keith Kearcher in Bend, Oregon. He will do as little or as much as you wish.

[Tony Quinn]

Hello Fred. Nice heirloom! Would you believe that I have #26459. Quite a coincidence in light of our last 2 weeks correspondence! It was shipped Nov. 13, 1982.

Tony

[Tony Quinn]

Shipping date error! 1882

[Fred Lowe]

Tony,

It's a small world!
I will know and post more on my gun when the letter arrives. It sounds to me like your gun is in much nicer condition than mine.