Old Shooter
 

Shot some birds and targets. Shoots just fine and fun to use on the 26 yard line.

Stunning. How'd you get that one past the east coast boys?

The seller smuggled it out of the east coast in his car trunk and transferred it to me in Kentucky. I was able to get it the rest of the way before it was missed.

I figured I'd give Parker enthusiasts something to look at and discuss , although I do see that the most popular recent thread involved cavorting in underwear and throwing up in the john. Nevertheless, this shot gun might be of interest.

I have a lightweight 12ga Quality G top action hammer ( 1883) at just over 7lbs and in good original condition that I will soon post photos. I'll also post more photos of this C hammer Bernard. It has nice European walnut and a skeleton butt.

Mama Mia:shock:

Thanks Bruce. Do you also have a picture of the right side? Very beautiful. Tom

xxxx

I do what I can to keep the boys entertained Bruce, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

DLH

Well, ok. I'll give you $200 for that gun, no questions asked.... ;-)

Gosh that's beautiful.

All that and a fish-tail lever too... does it still have the skeleton steel buttplate?

Old shooter
 

Man, my "old shooter" just looks old...

1885 old beater. A CP New York showroom gun.

Beautiful Bruce! Too bad about that horribly big gash/dent in the wrist wood. I'll bet a sharp turnip farmer could negotiate a significant price reduction with such a glaring defect!:)

You know these picky Parker people! They will try to find fault with everything to get a lower price.

Old Shooter
 

My junky old 1874 shooter.

That is Todd's A grade lifter. Rare, rare, rare., and that one is a great gun and a wonderful survivor.

For the person who is not familiar with these hammer Parkers, you might sometime just sit and fondle one, work the action, shoot it. They are works of art, and especially so with the high grade ones. The lifter action is particularly ergonomic and smooth .

They are hard to find in decent condition and most of us Parker collectors would strongly consider appropriately restoring a higher grade one if found in poor condition. However, nice ones, even small gauge ones, are out there.

Bruce,
For the sake of education what features on Todd's wonderful gun lead you to believe it's an A ($250.00) grade? I ask this because I have a near twin (3251) and have had different people suggest $250.00 and $200.00.

Todd said it was and it has the long middle point in the C of the bolsters.

Those years are dollar grades I believe and A is the later equivalent .

I agree, the long tear drop on the bolster is the key, but B grades have it too in later years. "I" lump all the long tear drop guns into the A grade category too. It's much to confusing to try to accurately ID a $200 or $250 or $300 (never saw one) grade that people reference. I think of them all as Parker's highest grade lifters of that period; but I do like some more than others.:whistle:

With a lot of the earlier (pre 5000 serial number) guns it is basically impossible to say for sure. I look at the bolster more than the engraving as the key but when it comes down to it I'm guessing based on input from knowledgable collectors, but still guessing. Larry, your gun is gorgeous and I'd guess it's a $250 gun.

Old Shooters
 

To carry the point a little farther about grading the older guns, here are a few old shooters that obviously vary in grade, but I believe the first gun is the highest grade gun even though it doesn't have the most or best engraving. What do some of you think?

Todd, great looking hammer guns, thanks for sharing. The grade of these guns made before the order books were started will remain a mystery.

Seventh photo from the top: Thought I was looking at a coon till I saw the flushed quail? Very beautiful engraving, although the dog on this right lock looks like he got ahold of one too many blackberry briars.
I agree the top gun looks to be the highest grade, though they're all beautiful in their own way; just like snowflakes:p