should I shoot my old Parker or hang it up

[Gunner]

John welcome.
Now that your legal. I don't think it was mentioned before but your gun came from the factory with 28" barrels. Do they still measure 28"?
Also the book says that it did not come with ejectors or any other additional features.
As the newest member in good standing you can go to the home page click on the "Research Letter" on the left side and order a letter for your gun for only $40. This might give you more info regarding the Lilly connection or not.
Best,
Erick

[Fishtail]

I don't always agree with BD but I gotta say he's right....why are we treating this ancient gun like it's a has-been?

I'd peek down the bores to make sure nothing is in them. I might even get a 10 year old to do it cuz his eyes are better than mine. Then, I'd buy some non-heavy loads as sold at the local sporting goods place and blast away.

This gun is in no way something that should be relegated to the fireplace mantle. It's a very viable gun in 2015. Just don't put Magnum duck loads through it.

[Craig Larter]

Beautiful example it deserves to be shot and enjoyed--purchase a couple of cases of RST shells and have at it--you are a lucky man----enjoy!!

[OH Osthaus]

but maybe just maybe

many of us don't need a gunsmith because we know how to evaluate a gun
(some of us may even carry wall thickness and bore gauges in the truck just because you never know when you'll need them)

but then again - some one who asks the wall hanger question may not

the odds are - this is a great gun, odds being what they are

[John Yancey]

Here are some better photos. My father said he last shot the gun about 20 years ago. (He doesn't really hunt) I on the other hand hunt all the time. As far as I can tell the gun looks great and ready to hunt with but, I usually hunt with a Browning A5 in with 3.5" shells. I know I can't use those with this Parker but would I be able to use 2.75" Federal 6 shot? My father can't recall what size shells he used. Turkey Season opens up this Saturday and I would love to knock the spider webs off this old beauty with the beard of a big gobbler... HAHA.

Thanks for all the very fast responses you guys are a great help.

John

[Bruce Day]

Well I don't know anything about sage wisdom but here is a sage grouse in sage shot on the Montana sage brush sea last September. Used an old 1904 Parker 16 ga.

[Bruce Day]

Your gun was patterned with a 3 dram 1 1/8oz load. Federal makes one that I shoot in my old beaters.

[Gerald McPherson]

Insure for $4000 plus. Shoot 1 or 1 1/8 loads. # 6 shot will kill old tom. Don't put it on display or someone else may own the gun before long. Put it away safely as the previous owners surely did. After you use it for a while you will see what a Parker is all about. Congratulations.
I am sure someone near you that knows enough about Parkers will turn up to take a look at it for you.

[John Truitt]

John,

I grew up in Va Beach. Most of my family is still there. There are several Parker savy people in the area.

I will be there this Saturday and Sunday for a conference.
PM me if you would like to get together.
I can bring my wall thickness gauge to help evaluate the barrel wall thickness. I am no professional but I can at least look it over and give you my opinion.

[J. A. EARLY]

John,

Your gun appears to be a DH. There are no ejectors (what the E in DHE means), and it has an extractor. Very nice gun, especially the straight stock.