[Matt Buckley]

Here is a gun to get some discussion going and some pictures to look at. I purchased this gun from Josh Loewensteiner. I jumped on it very quickly fearing it was not going to last long once I spotted it. As a side note, Josh is a top notch fellow Parker member who I would recommend all day long for anyone interested in any of his doubles he has for sale.

What we have hear is 16 gauge #12565 $65 dollar grade lifter with plain twist barrels that are 28". This gun was built in 1878 on a O frame with lightning cuts to help with the weight. Even with the cuts it weights in at 6lbs 10oz. The barrels are built heavy with BWT at .037 and .038 and choked .007 and .000. The gun letters with a pistol grip but was sent back in 1880 for new barrels and a new stock so I'm guessing it was switched over to a straight grip at that time.

According to The Parker Story Chart there were 37 16 gauges built in this grade with 28 of them with 28" barrels. Any gauge other than 10 or 12 in a Parker Lifter is a rare bird and I'm thrilled to be it's care taker for the time being. This gun is in amazing shape for being 143 years old and I plan on keeping that up.

You will notice that a radius was added to the frame to eliminate a chance of cracking. That was done by Parker Gunsmith David Fjeline for the previous owner. I suppose collectors who are looking for completely original Parkers would cringe at that but I was happy that was done because I like to shoot my Parkers and I'm not sure I would have purchased it otherwise for fear of it being weak and cracking. Enjoy the pictures and conversation on this nice gun.