Old Parker? - Page 2

Bill Murphy · 07-13-2010, 05:56 PM

If that buttplate were fresh and new, I would be buying that gun to get the buttplate. Not much information on the water tables to establish origin. Probably Belgium, but not sure. The condition puts it in the wallhanger category.

Dean Romig · 07-13-2010, 06:34 PM

The bird on the buttplate looks very much like the Capercaillie, the largest gamebird in Europe but possibly the scarcest. Once there were many - now there are few...

Drew Hause · 07-13-2010, 07:19 PM

It's a low quality Belgian gun given a "Name Brand" to fool the unknowing; Sam Holt, T. Barker & W. Richards are other examples. It can not be made safe to shoot, with ANY load.
More here http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20091267
BD is possibly the mark of Bauduin Doyen, a Nessonvaux damascus barrel and gun maker.
AL was used by Arnold Lochet, but he was a post-1900 maker.

Alan Birchell · 07-13-2010, 09:27 PM

Thank You gentlemen for all of the information. So a wallhanger it is. It is nice to know something about it since it was given to me when i was young by my grandfather and I would never part with it.

Dean Romig · 07-13-2010, 09:50 PM

Alan, enjoy it for the memories it brings you.

Dennis · 12-06-2012, 12:19 PM

Alan, years ago in about the 1890's to maybe 1920's many European and American gun makers of very cheap or utilitarian guns marketed guns with the names of expensive American and European gun manufacturers. W. Richards was stamped on the side plates of guns rather than the more expensive Westley Richards from England. Parker or sometimes Barker (with many derivations) was stamped so a prospective buyer would think he was buying a Parker Brothers expensive and quality shotgun. Your shotgun is one of those cheap guns. Many were manufactured in Belgium but I don't see any Belgium proof marks on your gun. If you were to look at a genuine Parker Brothers shotgun (even the inexpensive but quality made Trojan grade) and compare the quality of fit and finish to your gun you would see a world of difference. Personally I would relegate your gun to a wall hanger. It does not look safe to shoot to me. You could check with Dixie Gun Works in TN to see if they may have a replacement hammer for the one that is missing for appearance sake. JMHO.

Dennis