Parker Grade 2 short 10 gauge (maybe dollar grade?) in amazing condition.
 

I was VERY lucky to acquire 13694 10 gauge grade 2 or similar $$ grade, 2 5/8" short 10 chamber with Parker made 30" laminate barrels on a #2 frame. The gun is in exceptional condition with the only real issue being buggered up hammer screws.

I had no idea about Parker laminated barrels but happened to be talking to Dean Romig on another topic and I described a gun I looked at recently with very vivid herringbone pattern. When I gave him the serial number he said I needed to look for the P stamp on the flat and he surmised it might be those barrels. When I returned for the purchase Dean's prediction was spot on. I am privileged to have found this gun for my collection..

Thank you Dean Romig!!

Brian, you have probably already discovered there is no information on that number in the Serialization book but there are surviving factory records to support a Research Letter.

That is a beautiful old gun with some unusual features and in super nice condition!

I know you'll take good care of it for me...;)







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An interesting gun in that it is at the beginning of a transition period. Slightly Earlier grade 2 guns would have sculpted bolsters and less engraving. This gun is a lifter, but it has the 1pc large plunger firing pins, instead of the offset pins and bushings. And it has the deely forend latch. But, it still has the standard shorter lifter water table.

The condition of the gun overall is excellent. But i dont need to tell you that.
The only observation is the incorrectly re-cut checkering on the Forend. Too bad.

Brian, I respectfully disagree with your opinion of the forend checkering.
The gun was produced before standard features were assigned to guns of a grade.
It is my opinion that those extra checkered triangle patches are original to the gun. I've never seen them before but considering the condition of the entire gun and the rest of the checkering, I'm betting that is original checkering.

The subject gun 13694 was produced in 1878 - the same year that King's Deely & Edge patented forend latch system was introduced. It is very possible that this gun's forend originally had the earlier keyed forend latching system and it was replaced by the new Deeley style and the holes in the wood for the key fittings had been plugged and checkered to disguise the work.
Notice the center diamond point is smaller/closer to the centerline of the forend which allowed the installation of the earlier keyed system.

Now take a look at an earlier grade 2 'dollar' equivalent gun I've posted here which has the same checkering with the smaller center diamond allowing space for the keyed system.

Remember, 'never say never when discussing Parkers.'

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I am confused with the firing pins, I have 23154, laminated. p marked barrels, grade 2 with off set pins. my number is way later. Could have these been upgrades after production? This is the first set of later pins on a early gun that I have seen.

Absolutely David. I'm nearly certain that is what happened with this gun. I'll even guess the forend latching system was updated at the same time. I wonder if there is information in the PGCA records that would support this.






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I am looking forward to the letter on this gun, yes there are records thank goodness!!

Well then we can just agree to disagree i suppose Dean.
As i am a firm believer that the factory would never turn out checkering work and layout as poor as that.
The poor spacing, over-runs and faint evidence of original border around the main section of the pattern is at least proof positive of a recut.

I'm wondering if the screws are buggered because the hammers aren't tight on the shafts and the screws had to be constantly tightened. I have a Remington hammer gun that has that issue. One hammer screw comes loose every 10shots or so. I have a plan for a remedy but haven't gotten to it yet.

Guys as to the checkering ,and i'll only be able to 100% confirm this when I see it in hand ...I feel I can confidently see the remains of a mullered border in the diamonds in question when I expand the photo,I agree a re-cut may have been done ....but if just for a moment if you imagine the lines properly redone and the borders intersecting as I think the pic shows, it would be Parker quality .

Just my opinion,I spend only a little time each day shagging around with shotguns the rest of my time is spent chasing birds over marsh and barren - never worked there or nothing like that