I am long overdue in posting pictures of this restoration. This is a 10 Gauge “Premier Quality” grade A Top Action Hammer gun serial# 31841 made in 1883 on a #4 frame. It was engraved by Harry Gough. This was one of 8 consecutive numbered 4 Frame 10 Gauge Premier Quality guns in the serial number range 31839 – 31846. There is a 2009 article in Parker Pages called “Parker Locks and Hammer” that discusses these 8 guns.
Someone had severely altered the stock in the past and the barrels had been poorly browned in the past. Brian Dudley coordinated the restoration work, did the butt transplant and many other things that I appreciated. The barrel engraving was re-freshened and the barrels were refinished(by Breck Gorman).
One of the many things Brian and I discussed was if this high grade gun had a skeleton buttplate. There was no evidence of one. It should be noted the the 8 guns in this series had some variety of small detail differences. We decided to put a steel buttplate back on it with engraving appropriate for an A grade(I really like how this turned out).
The butt transplant looks great and I love the figure in the wood. The stock dimensions were returned to original specs mention in the PCGA letter.
The barrels have were cut long ago from 32” to 28”,though it shoots well and did well at shooting sporting clays. If I ever do run across some #4 frame 32” barrels I will add them to this fantastic gun.
I couldn’t be happier the way everything turned out on this.
Here is a link to the initial thread before restoration:
http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=28151
First 3 are before pictures…
A Grade - 10ga TA Restoration
Threaded Mode