Mike from NH, USA
 

Hello, just joined to learn more about an inherited Parker. Need to dig through the identification pages more. Think this one is from 1895.

I have it a quick look over. The triggers were gummed up, and would not release the internal hammer. I added a little oil and now it seems to function normally. Most of it seems to work correct as far as I can tell, but have not used it and don't know the last time it was fired. Although there appears to be some green fouling at the base of the barrel where the chambers are - still have to clean up some of the old gunk a little more.

The barrels looked terrible to me in the bore, but after cleaning do look nice and shiny like some more modern shotguns I have.

I thought the stock was chipped, but apparently there is just a toe in the butt plate that fits the little recessed part. The butt plate is broken, so I just assumed it was dropped and the stock was broken, but it appears just the plate is broken.

I found a few aftermarket plates available, but not sure if it is a size 1 or 2 still. The graphic matches the 2 size, but the dimensions on the aftermarket part seem too big, but maybe that is because it needs to be fitted.

Was wondering about shooting this today, but still don't have any real idea of value, or what to put through it if I did get so ambitious, but could be a fun one to pull out at a local club for people to shoot.

Oh, I think the numbers that were on the stock behind the butt plate says "5 1/4" could be 3 1/4, but since the stock appears to be about 5 inches tall I figure it has to do with that, but could be wrong.

Mike

Mike, where in NH are you? We have several members who live in New Hampshire and in fact, I'm driving through NH tomorrow.

Plenty of fellows here who could look at it for you and render advice and opinions.

Looks like it already had a replacement butt plate fitted to it in the past. Seems to have been filed down quite a bit around the edge in the toe area to make a 'too big' butt plate fit the gun.





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Mike, When you get around to shooting it I suggest that you use low pressure and low shot weight. In these old guns, it's the wood that may fail if you shoot stout loads.

Based on you description, I would recommend a gunsmith that is well versed in Parkers and have it cleaned inside and out. There are several good gunsmiths in New England that you can trust to do a great job.

I'm in NH too......... if you are near by we could talk. PM me if you want.

perfect. that would totally explain why the dog graphic doesn't match the measurements for a replacement. I'm actually not far from Manchester, NH.

Welcome, Mike! The others here give good advice. Get your gun checked out and cleaned up by a reputable gunsmith and enjoy it. That is what they were made for

tried to take some identification marks based on looking through some of the info on the website. it seems odd, that it has a gold shield, but the twist marked barrel - that doesn't seem to line up to the grades listed, but this was before the defined grades, maybe some people here can add some input.

more pics

and some more

barrel measured at 30 1/4"

the number on the bottom of the barrel part, below the serial number, appears to be a 2

I think there are some more marks on the water table on the other side, but I forgot to get a pic of it. The angle is terrible, but I'm not sure how to take the barrel off as of yet.

I'll likely get the research record. I assume this is 12 gauge, but not sure. I saw I can measure between the firing pins and do a little math, but are there other indicators?

It is likely this was purchased by my family multiple generations ago. I also have a Winchester 1894 made in 1952 - that I believe was purchased by my Grandfather, but this is 2 or possibly 3 generations earlier than that - if it was purchased new. Just seems crazy.

Beautiful gun, thanks for sharing

Mike, go to our Home page and click on some of the tabs in the left column to learn more about Grades and other features of Parkers. Yours appears to be a PH.





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