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majorbob99
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Posted: Mon Jan 7th, 2008 02:07 am |
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Hi all, I am a new member to the Forum. Also a new Parker Gun owner although not a hunter. As a retired member of the armed services, of course, have always had an interest in guns. The Parker was given to me so I am not sure as to weather I want to hang it on the wall at home or sell it. The piece originally had so much rust on it that it sat on my work bench and I contemplated getting rid of it. After about six months I began to clean up the rust with WD-40 and 150 grit sand paper. I can hear the OH's and AH's now and perhaps a few " oh how dumb is he". There is more. After I was able to see the beautiful workmanship, and detail I then realized that I was in possession of something valuable and perhaps unique. Next I discovered your BBS and began to gain more information and an appreciation for the Parker gun owners and their love and respect for their Parkers.
I have seperated the case from the stock. Varified that all the serial numbers match,(81039), both on the stock and case. It is a 1889,hammerless, full choked 12GA.with a 30 inch Demascus steel barrel, double bead site, and straight grip stock. Chambers measure approx. 2-3/4 inches with a number 2 frame. The serial number on the part that has the firing pins and which the barrel attaches to has a number 2 above it and a "G" below it. I think that is everything I know about "old reliable".
If anyone can help with identifying what grade it is then please let me know. Either BBS or e-mail would be fine majorbob99@yahoo.com Appreciate it in advance and I do like reading the many suggestions and ideas members have.
Bob Simmonski, Moorestown, NJ
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Mel Drummond
Member
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Posted: Mon Jan 7th, 2008 03:44 am |
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| Bob I will try to help you out as much as I can. The ID and serialization book shows 81039 to be a D2 grade which would be a GH with damascus barrels. It left the factory with 30 inch barrels and a capped pistol grip stock. You mentioned a straight stock so I don't know if the book is wrong or your gun has a replacement stock. It would not be the first time the book is wrong but it is right most of the time and a valueable resource. I don't know where you got the information that it is a 1889 gun. That serial number should have been manufactured in 1895 I believe. You mentioned the rust on it, how are the bores and what is the condition of the wood? I am not sure how valuable your gun is as condition is everything with these old guns. If the bores are not in bad shape you might be able to make a good shooter out of it. Of course it can always be restored but that might be cost prohibitive depending on how badly the condition is. I am concerned about all this considering how bad you made the rust issue sound. I don't want to sound like a prophet of gloom but by the same token I don't want to get your hopes up too high. Can you post a few pictures and I am sure some of the members here can give you a lot better idea of what you can do with your gun.
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ALWAYS DO RIGHT; This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. MARK TWAIN
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Bruce Day
PGCA Member
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Posted: Mon Jan 7th, 2008 01:13 pm |
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About 26,000 damascus barreled G grades were made, so its not unique or even scarce. Value for the ubiquitous 12ga G dam. 2 frame ranges from $600 to $4000 depending on condition, a rare example might bring more. They are fine guns, I use one made in 1911 as my pheasant and duck gun. They are also a bargain as Parkers go. Some are well balanced and have modern dimensions, others are shaped like hockey sticks with too much drop and are muzzle heavy.
Most rust can be removed by soaking in penetrating oil or Hoppes #9 and using fine steel wool. Sandpapering the wood or metal removes detail and Parkers are all about fine detail. Sandpapering often leaves scratches on the action frame which destroys engraving detail and significantly lessens value. There are specialists in Parker restoration and good barrel restorers for refinishing damascus barrels. Many posters here have learned to do some cleaning and restoration; however many Parkers have been irreversibly damaged by bad gunsmithing and ham handed restoration.
There are quite a few retired military here and Parkers were often presentation guns to commanders as well as the rich and famous.
Posters here use their real names.
Last edited on Mon Jan 7th, 2008 01:17 pm by Bruce Day
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Bruce Day
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Bob Simmonski
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Posted: Wed Jan 9th, 2008 02:13 am |
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Mel,
Appreciate the input. The straight grip stock has the same serial number as all the other parts. About the date; The action part has Patented date of Jan 18 - Aug 16, 1887 then next line has May 7 - Oct 8,1889. Just under that is a #2 next line is 81039 and under that a letter "G". So I naturally assumed that the mfg. date was 1889. Does that change anything? The bores are in good shape. I used 000 steel wool and WD-40. They look like mirrors now. I assembled tonight but still will not dry fire. I don't know what I missed. The stock has good grain and color. I am debating about the Johnson paste wax. I tried to take some digital pictures but the detail is not there. I guess you need a special camera. I'll try to send what I have to your e-mail if I can get youe address.
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Bob Simmonski
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Posted: Wed Jan 9th, 2008 02:43 am |
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Mel,
I just discovered the Home Page and all the wealth of info. that is there. You are right about the 1895 date. I was mislead by the patent dates which is what is stamped. That make sense, since the serial number determines the mfg. date. There is no point then in stamping a mfg. date on each gun made. I think my manufacturing background just kicked in. I suppose I am having a senior moment.
If I get your e-mail I'll still try to send some pics. Thanks, Bob S.
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Mel Drummond
Member
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Posted: Wed Jan 9th, 2008 03:16 am |
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| Bob it is mdrum@tds.net
____________________
ALWAYS DO RIGHT; This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. MARK TWAIN
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