12 Ga Damascus

[James Patterson]

Afternoon, gents ( et al)
I just acquired a Parker 12 ga SXS - and - I have to admit I knew nothing about it until I went looking for a butt plate ( mine is missing) . I found your board and am very glad I did - I didn't realize I had stumbled upon a nice shotgun - it doesn't look like much at the moment.

I am looking for some advice / guidance / info:

I took some pictures but I am a terrible photographer. What is not readily discernible from the pictures is the script along the top of the barrell: Parker Bros Makers Meriden Conn. Damascus Steel <<<-0->

It has three 4 recurring serials that I can locate: 56501 that appear on the locking stud, the foregrip underside, the water table Left Hand side and behind the trigger guard ( underside Tang)

The Foregrip has fine scrolling and text that reads: PATD Mar 26 1878

There is some more stamped text on the water table but it is hard to see without removing the barrels; some of it reads: Patd Jan18. Aug 18 1887 on the RT side and the serial appears again on the LT side with "2" above it and an "E" below it. " Mar 16 1875" appears below that.

I can remove the foregrip via the latch but I cannot remove the barrels at this step: my previous experience with break open shotguns says that the barrels should just slide out of the receiver - but not the case here - or at least not without prying, poking , straining etc which I was not willing to do:

The very nice scroll work and text is obstructed by brown discoloring. I am lead to believe this is called patinae and should not be removed. looking for some guidance on this issue, there are "Parker Bros" text on each side of the receiver and some quails on the left side of the receiver but again the brown color is present deep in the scroll work.

I can only seem to get 5 pics up at a time.. I will post subsequent messages to try and add some more...

I would really appreciate any info that is out there.. I started reading a lot of older posts until about 2:30 AM here and learned enough to know I know nothing about these old guns. Any info would be appreciated.

Cheers
JP

[James Patterson]

5 more pics of the same gun...

[James Patterson]

5 pics.. same gun

[James Patterson]

Last Pics... thanks guys !!
JP

[Dean Romig]

Hello James and Welcome to the PGCA forum

It appears that you have a 10 ga. Grade 2 early hammerless Parker.

I'm sure it isn't news to you that it has seen some serious use and a bit of abuse as well.

It will likely be a costly project to bring the old girl back - possibly more than the gun will be worth when finished.... if it is your aim to do so at all.

At the very least, if you plan to shoot it please bring it or send it to an accomplished gunsmith who has lots of experience with old SXS shotguns.

[James Patterson]

Thanks, I'd still like to know more about the gun... beginning with how to take the barrels off.

Are we able to tell from the S/N how old the gun is.. ?

Thanks
JP

[Harry Collins]

James,

Make sure the gun is unloaded, close it and pull both triggers. Parker firing pins are part of the hammer so nothing should break. Letting the hammers fall often let's you remove the barrels. Pill the forend off, push the top lever as if opening the gun and as the barrels open they should come off.

Harry