parker P grade 8 gauge

[Pa SxS]

Aaron sent me the serial number, thanks Aaron!

What you have is a Quality R, Top Action hammergun in 8 gauge with 34" barrels. If you want to give it a number grade, it's a grade 0, the lowest grade gun Parker made.

How did I determine the above? The Order Book doesn't give the grade but gives clues. The clues are barrel steel, grip type, and price. In this case, it lists the barrels as P.T. (plain twist), capped (grip style), and the price of $95.00. Next we go to the Stock Book which lists the barrel steel as P.T. which we know from the Order Book. On higher grades it usually gives a grade number along with the barrel steel but with P.T.'s it doesn't so no help there. It also lists it as a Top Action gun so obviously Ron Kirby's letter is wrong! The rest of the Stock Book lists the dimensions and weight as 8 gauge, 34" barrels, 2 3/4 DAH, 14 1/4 LOP, weight 14 1/4 pounds.

So how did I come up with a Quality R? You have to go to the Parker Price lists from the year the gun was made and find the grade corresponding to the price listed in the Order Book. We don't have a price list for 1884 but we do for 1882 and 1886 and the listings are the same. Parker at this time charged an additional $35.00 for an 8 gauge gun over the price for a 10 gauge gun. I took $95.00 which is what is in the Order Book and subtracted $35.00 for the 8 gauge barrels, that left $60.00. The 10 gauge gun that listed for $60.00 was the Quality R. Aaron, send my your address and I'll type up a new research letter for you.