1877 Parker Question
 

Just picked this 12ga 1877 Parker up at a gun show yesterday--it has a chrome trigger guard, triggers and butt plate--the questions is did the Parker factory offer of produce these type of changes??? Thanks

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no, i really doubt it

That looks like nickel, not chrome, but sale difference I suppose for sake of argument.

There have been some documented examples of odd parts being plated bu the factory on request. But it is very rare.

Likely yours was NOT factory.

Try a letter

Can't tell by the photos but perhaps silver plated as opposed to chrome? Chrome is a three layer plating with copper, nickel, and chrome. Silver is not. The steel butt plate looks as if it was silver plated and was worn off or flaked off.

I have a Parker D with factory letter documented nickle skeleton butt, so a letter will tell you.

Tom, I would definitely order a PGCA letter on that gun.

I'm in the silver plating camp.

The finish looks very similar to silver plated utensils. I imagine it would have been fairly easy to send the parts over to the factory that made utensils to have them plated on a customers request. After all Parker was in both businesses and both factories were in the same town.

A letter would be interesting for sure.

The Charles Parker Company had a few financial connections with silver and silver plating companies in Meriden around the time your gun was made.






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What did the guy you bought it from say it was? The frame and little we can see of the wood looks looks really good. Post more pics for us please.

I'll take more pics later this evening--I think it's a really nice example of an early Parker--Tight, clean bores ---looks like no one has messed with it. I've sent for a letter!

My own personal opinion is that it looks original and period. I would be surprised if it wasn't original. Ken

Silver won’t generally flake or peel like that, it wears to thin areas usually. I think it is nickel plated.





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Silver tarnishes, nickel will dull with time and peel easily when friction is applied, and chrome stays bright as long as it is not constantly exposed to the elements. Look at the grip area of the trigger guard, it appears as if the plating is starting to peel and rust along the edges.

Mike--here some additional pictures---http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76652&stc=1&d=15699536 71http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76653&stc=1&d=15699536 71http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76654&stc=1&d=15699536 71http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76655&stc=1&d=15699536 71http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76656&stc=1&d=15699536 71

1877 Parker Question
 

More Picshttp://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76657&stc=1&d=15699540 37http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76658&stc=1&d=15699540 37http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76659&stc=1&d=15699540 37http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76661&stc=1&d=15699540 37

I agree with the above comments, in that I'm sure it's nickel, and, like Ken, think it's original, or certainly it's been there a long time.

If it is silver I would expect the butt plate to be black with oxidation. I vote for nickel as many early firearms with it were plated to prevent rust.

Just my poor $0.02 contribution.

I can't wait to see the letter, Tom.

If memory serves correct chrome plating did not get invented until the late 20's, so its either Nickle or Silver plate. If it smells of sulfur its silver plate.

I don't know what year the process was invented, but I know the 1927 Model A had a chrome, spring steel bumper, and radiator cover.

Great memory Edgar. Chrome plating was developed at Columbia University in 1924.

Go figure, cuz I can't remember what I had for dinner last night.

Got my Letter and looks like it's 1878 not 77--ther is no mention of "Nickel" or "silver"--I'm sure it is Nickel!!???http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachm...1&d=1570570322

Chrome plating supplanted Nickle plating because Chrome will form a tightly bound oxide layer that stops further oxidation. It's what makes stainless steel stainless. You had to polish Nickle, which took time and elbow grease.

Kind of puts to rest the theory that these old hammer guns had 3+ inches of drop. Many did but you'd be surprised how many had modern stock drops of 2 1/2 or 2 3/4 inches at the heel.

Plating aside, that is a nice gun. Great dimensions for an early gun.

If I remember correctly the first Model A came out late in 1927. Mine is a few months later. Lots of chrome. Not meant to hijack but can’t resist showing the reality of Edgar’s observation. Cheers Jackhttp://parkerguns.org/forums/picture...ictureid=12296

Car guys have nothing on the owner of this 1878 Parker. When Tom Poss and I were barely out of grade school, he was driving an outstanding 1934 Ford. I saw the '34 on a visit to his family's Maryland garage and was suitably impressed. He knows a little about cars. Maybe with a little bit of push, he will tell us about the old girl.

Hi Billy--sure wish I had that old '34 Ford--had a lot of good times in it!!!