New member with an Early Model Parker seeking information and guidance

[Devin Stargel]

Greetings from Louisville, KY.

First of all let me begin by saying that while I am a firearms dealer, I have very little knowledge of these early Parkers.

I do have a Parker of my own which appears to be a very early model "Parker Brothers, Meridian Conn" double in 10ga. It appears to closely resemble the T-latch design & is marked with a Nov 18,1886 date along with a matching 1339 serial on all parts.

Any advice on posting to the appropriate category to get the best feedback is appreciated. Your society seems to have a wealth of knowledge from which maybe I can learn a bit from.

[Dean Romig]

Hi Devin - Welcome to the forum.

If you're not trying to sell your Parker (non-members are forbidden to attempt to sell guns on this site) I would suggest posting pictures in the "General Discussions" forum. It will get the most interest there. Later, after you become more familiar with the PGCA website and how things are done here you may wish to make posts in other areas of interest here on the forum. If you go to the home page and click on FAQ's at the left you can find out how to post pictures to a thread or to an album you create.

Best Regards, Dean

[Hammer Gun]

Hi Devin, Join the group the best 40.00 you ever spent, Gary

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Devin Stargel

"Parker Brothers, Meridian Conn"

Jeez, this makes me crazy

[Devin Stargel]

Originally Posted by edgarspencer

Jeez, this makes me crazy

Wow... A mistype! The warm salutation is so well received.
I guess my degrees & advancing years have failed me...PLEASE FORGIVE.
I didn't realize I was among those of preeminence for similar shortcomings!

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Devin Stargel

Wow... A mistype! The warm salutation is so well received.

You have been officially greeted!

The devil is in the the details; Meridian is in Mississippi, Meriden proudly sits smack in the center of Connecticut. As different as whiskey is to Whisky.
The total of all Parker shotguns produced was less than one fifth of the number of several individual models of their neighbors, down the road in New Haven. Winchester made of 1.3 million model 1894 (94) and Colt, up the road made over 330,000 in SAA alone. While the '94 and the SAA can make a lifetime hobby in study, so too can the Parker. The love for these guns, for me, IS in the details. Get a hold of some of the great publications, borrow or buy The Parker Story, and, most importantly, Join the PGCA.
Also worth mentioning; Meriden is also birthplace for many of our members. My family's roots are in Meriden, and my Grandfather started his working career at Parker. To us, Meriden has only one spelling.
Now, Pull up a stump and enjoy!

[Bruce Day]

xxxxx

[Holeshot]

Meridian is in Nebraska, some of my old favorite hunting spots are in this location. 2 miles from my home.

[charlie cleveland]

welcome devin you will enjoy that old parker..i ve got a few hammer guns and i really enjoy the shooting them be it hunting or shooting cans..yep i live pretty close to meriden mississippi...charlie

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

Edgar, please. Meriden is in Kansas.

Bruce, we're not in Kansas anymore. As big as Kansas is, Meriden, KS is less than one square mile. As small as CT is, Meriden is over 24 square miles. If God didn't know he'd be putting down a Parker man out there, it might never have been founded, so, consequently, I think Meriden KS got it's name from Meriden CT. If you search Meriden CT, you'll see even Wikipedia acknowledged the Parker family. Does that privy serve all 820 people of Meriden KS? York Nebraska was founded by a bunch of persecuted Mennonites from York, PA. Hell Bruce, Kansas is gonna fall off the map when you die anyway.