Looking into a Parker for friend
 

Hello, Trying to find out what I can about this old shotgun. From what I can tell it was made in 1875,grade5 with a frame size 4. 10 gauge. Is getting a factory letter worth it? Any idea of what it's worth?
Thanks

Sorry forgot to add, it is missing a firing pin and has an incorrect hammer screw.

We’d love to see the engraved scene on the bottom of the frame. Looks like a large cat or canine attacking a deer??? We haven’t seen such engraving on a Parker until this, that I know if.
Parker No. 4560 is shown in the Grade column as a D which, as nearly as I can determine, indicates Damascus barrels and not necessarily a Grade 3 (D). The bolster sculpting is that of a Grade 3 gun but in that period grades had yet to be assigned, let alone a standardization of checkering, engraving, bolster and frame sculpting.
The subject gun actually lacks any group of grade-specific features but the lock plates have four pins behind the hammers which is specific to grade 3 and higher Parkers, however, the level of engraving of the lock plates is more often associated with later hammer guns of at least grade 4 and higher. The stock lacks the drop points common to grade 3 and higher.
It’s an enigma for sure and as the OP has stated, it could be the equivalent to the later Grade 5… or maybe a Grade 4. A research letter may show a grade but more likely will list only its dollar value.

Nice Parker by the way and certainly a good candidate for a quality and true-to-originality freshening.





.




.

That appears overall to be a nice high grade Parker. It is a higher grade with some unique touches. According to the lookup, there are factory records for the gun. I would think it would be a very good idea to get a letter. It may not tell you much or it may reveal a lot. I often get letters just on guns I am considering for purchase.

Here is a picture of the bottom of receiver.
I am going to order a letter but if you guys could help with a couple question on the form for me that would be great:
Grip Type: Capped Pistol Grip Straight Round Ball
Forend Type: Splinter Beavertail
Not sure which box to check for those and the butt plate is recoil pad correct?
Thanks

It is a straight grip.
Splinter forend.
Aftermarker (non-Parker Bros.) hard rubber or gutta percha buttplate.

Thanks for the better picture - So it's a hound attacking a buck.... very interesting.

Now, what's that scene on the trigger guard?



.

Now I'm finding it rather intresting :whistle:

I’ll see if I can get a better pic of the trigger guard.

Judging by the style and execution of the engraving and the year of manufacture as well as the higher grade, or dollar quality, of the gun I would say the engraving was done by Jacob Glahn who engraved most Parkers up to serial number 7,000.




.

What a beauty!!