new find
 

I have found a Parker bro's gun in a storage unit sale. The gun is stamped Parker bro's maker meridian conn. laminated steel on the rib between the barrels. I also see the numbers 65 on what I have been told is the water table. The same number is also on the under side of the barrels where it connects to the stock. There are no other numbers anywhere. The gun is the lifter model. I have read some about the history of the Parker gun and I think I can place the era it is from, however I'm not sure how to put a value on it or determine the serial number. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks Jonny

To view pictures - click on link

http://picasaweb.google.com/jdavsbui...XhiJ_D3Yzj5wE#

Jonny,Post some high resolution photo's and we can help you out.

NEW FIND
 

THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY. I'LL SEE IF I CAN GET SOME PICTURES ON SOON.

link to pictures has been posted

What I find most interesting is the wear plate added to the locking lug.

Jonny,Thnk you for posting the picture's.This gun Parker Bros. serial number 65 is or was a back action deluxe grade gun.I say deluxe because there is evidence of checkering and some engraving. It,s an interesting gun and important in the aspect that it is a very low serial number gun.Unfortunetly the condition reduces the gun to just about that.

Dean,That is the soldered in wear plate that Parker used when they devised the 12 1/2 degree locking bite.This is the precussor to the 1910 patent bolt plate.

It must have been sent back to Meriden for that. Too early to have been made with it.

Ya Dean,You are correct.The tapered bolt plate came about in 1874/1875.Also the lifter extension was eliminated at the same time as the bolt plate change.What is interesting about this gun is the fact that the bolt plate was retrofitted but not the lifter extension.

Can we presume this gun went back right between those two improvements?

I believe the two improvement's transpired concurrently. But then again "never say never".