Parker Questions

[Chris Montgomery]

Good morning,

I am starting the process of getting an idea of the backstory of Parker that has been passed down to me. I was able to run serial number (15787) and find that it was made in 1879. I am putting together the information to have a research request made, and need some help in trying to decipher the details about the gun and am seeking some help from you all if possible.

I believe this is a lifter type action, and straight grip, but after that I am not sure of the rest. Is this forend a splinter or beavertail? The butt (sorry no picture of that) is solid smooth metal, no wood exposed. Would that still be considered a skeleton, DHBP or Recoil Pad?

Also, I'm at a loss as how to remove the forend, which I believe is necessary for removing the barrels. Trying to get to the area where grade and steel type could be found. The barrel length is 28 inches.

At the end of the day, I am would like to get as much information on this as possible, and obviously also try get a general idea of what the value might be, so any suggestions from you all would be very appreciated.

Thanks very much for any help you can offer.

Best,
Chris Montgomery
Kitty Hawk, NC

[Tennessee Dave]

I'm sure someone will respond to your questions soon that can better explain how to safely remove the fore end and barrels. By looking at your pictures the gun appears to a lower grade gun in nice condition.

[Harold Pickens]

A well preserved lifter action. Nice gun. That is a splinter fore end that comes out by pushing on the little metal key" that goes thru the fore arm and thru a lug on the barrel to hold it in place.

[Dean Romig]

That type of splinter forend release is called a keyed forend latch. Tap on the smaller end of the key. it will not completely come out so don't force it but will come out far enough to remove the forend, then lift the forend from the barrels. Then release the lifter plunger and the barrels will rotate down and off the frame. The numbers and letters on the barrel flats and the water table of the frame is what will give most of the information on the gun.

The butt plate is a simple solid steel butt plate, not a skeleton steel or dog's head hard rubber butt plate.





.

[B. Dudley]

That is a nice gun. That is how you want to find them!

[Drew Hause]

Then gun may have Parker Bros. made Laminated Steel barrels.
Here is a recent thread of interest
https://parkerguns.org/forum/showthread.php?t=44948

When you get the barrel dismounted, please post a full size high resolution close up of a section of barrel where the contrast is most apparent, and look for the marks mentioned in the thread above just forward of the barrel flats.

[Steiner]

Looks like a beautiful survivor. Use a small piece of wood on the small end of the forearm key to push it out. As Dean said, it won’t come out completely but will go far enough to remove the forend. Be careful with that old girl. She has survived 147 years, don’t bugger her up now. Congratulations

[Jay Oliver]

I get some weird looks, but I always use a thin popsicle stick to work out a keyed forend.

It works though!

Quick Edit: That is a wonderful survivor Parker! I like it a lot!

In addition, it looks to be a non-checkered gun from the factory. I like that utilitarian look on a nice honest lifter.

[Chris Montgomery]

Great, information thanks so much to everyone for their input. Will take a look at that key and see if it will cooperate. I'm very hesitant as I obviously don't want to to anything stupid and cause irreparable harm. Will let you know what I am able to sort.

[Chris Montgomery]

Didn't have a popsicle stick, but a small wooded spoon did nicely and was easier than I anticipated.