Mr E. W. Tinker's Parker #79
 

The article in this latest Parker Pages titled Mr. E. W. Tinkers Number 79 has left me with a question.

First, good read and an interesting Parker to say the least.

But, recently we had a thread on the forum "Where are all the back action guns" and in that thread there are guns identified with serial numbers well above number 79.

Thinking about that, 79 seems like a number a bit early for a lifter?

Any ideas and/or explanations? Prototype? .....?

The earliest Parker Bros shotguns were pin lifter actions. There were back action and front action pin lifters. Due to various issues, the lifter mechanics were changed eliminating the pin. If I remember correctly, 79 was modified to the new style lifter and the pin hole was plugged. Back action guns were gradually phased out in favor of front action guns.

The engraving on this gun reminds me of #649 pictured in the Parker story. Both guns have high breech balls as well. Fantastic gun!!!

What came first, the chicken or the egg...??

Parker No. 79 is a front action gun while (look on page 37 at the picture at the top) Parker No. 0226 is a back action... Hmmm.





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When you find an early gun, it is usually a back action. I would love to get a really early front action.

But... which action replaced which action? Which was first and which lasted more years?





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I don't know why, but for some reason I always assumed that the back action proceeded the front action guns. But, the good old Parker Story has enlightened me (Vol 1, page 90). It explains how both were produced simultaneously and that the serial numbers are interspersed. I didn't realize that.

In stock book #1, which starts at #1500, back action guns have B.A. entered by the S\N so I assume the others were front action frames. As you go gradually up in S/N's you see less and less B.A.'s in the stock books.