3rd try - Page 2

Roundsworth · 10-03-2010, 06:29 AM

Nicholas, don't be so quick to hang it on the wall! My 1877 Lifter 12 gauge has Plain Twist barrels that looked like sewer pipes. Brad Bachelder did some work on them and made a nice shooter for me. I 'bench tested' a dozen rounds through it and had a blast finishing the box on various targets. I used Polywad Vintagers. Cheers!

Nicholas Sarro · 10-03-2010, 09:22 AM

Thanks Mark. That's the kind of news I've been hoping to hear.

Richard Flanders · 10-04-2010, 10:35 PM

If the barrels are sound it's more shootable with modern smokeless powder than you might think and definitely more than some would tell you. There has been recent testing that showed that damascus barrels in good shape can take quite a beating pressure wise without failing. MANY of us on this forum shoot damascus guns by preference and shoot low pressure smokeless powder loads. I just now finished loading up a box of 10ga loads with bismuth shot for a duck hunt tomorrow. I shoot an 1886 grade 3 damascus Parker hammer gun. The key before you shoot anything through it is to have a competent gunsmith check the barrels for flaws, get the dents taken out and most of all to come onto this forum for advice on loads and such. You will get all the help you need here. Someone can likely tell you of a gunsmith close to you who knows Parkers and is not afraid of damascus bbls.

Nicholas Sarro · 10-05-2010, 12:02 AM

So the next step is to find one in my area. I live on Long Island , N. Y. Any damascus barrel experts near by?

Bill Zachow · 10-14-2010, 05:48 PM

Dean, I believe the pictured gun is a grade 2.

Dean Romig · 10-14-2010, 07:50 PM

Bill, I tend to think it is a grade 2 also. If I could see a bird or two on the lock plates there would be no question in my mind. In your vast experience do you know of grade 2 Parker lifters without the typical gamebirds on the lock plates?

Austin W Hogan · 10-14-2010, 08:47 PM

Take a look at the locks with a magnifying glass. If you can see the individual engraving cuts it is probably a grade two. If not it is an interesting question; there are some guns in the 10000 - 20000 range that have rollmark engraving. I have one 18122 that has the same locks, a G type circle on the frame with a winged rabbit in the center, and barrels marked plan twist that look like damascus. I would say that grading in a case like this goes with the barrel roll mark.

Best, Austin

Dean Romig · 10-14-2010, 09:39 PM

Austin, I just perused "all albums" and took a look at hammerguns, especially Robin's 46 picture album of hammerguns, and saw exactly what you mean by "roll marked" engraving (for lack of a better word). It is indeed an "interesting question" and may be a good topic for a Parker Pages article.

Roundsworth · 10-14-2010, 10:14 PM

There is a Grade 2 on page 269 of TPS. My 1879 Lifter, #15728, has the same type of engraving and shows up in 'the book' as a Grade 2 with 'Laminated Steel Barrels'.

Bill Zachow · 10-17-2010, 08:21 PM

Dean, all of my sculpted bolster lifters (3) are grade 2s without birds. My earliest is #14830, a 12 on a 2 frame. The second, #18716, is a 10 on a 3 frame. The 3rd, #19134 is also a 10 on a 3 frame. My #19347, a 12 on a 1 frame is a grade 1 with roll marked engraving that is very similar to the grade 2. The major difference between the engraved guns and the roll marked or stamped guns is that the side plate screw and the hammer screws are not marked, stamped or otherwise. Also, the border stamping on the sideplates is geometrically designed (triangles with dots inside a double outline) rather than wavelike border on the engraved guns.