New Member Introduction

[Josh Miller]

Hello everyone,
My name is Josh and I’m a new member from Ohio. I’ve appreciated classic American doubles for a while, but I recently acquired my first Parker and decided it was time to join the Association.
It’s a late-1880s Grade 2 with 28" barrels and matching numbers. It appears to be an honest, well-used gun that hasn’t been overly restored. I’m planning to request a research letter soon to learn more about how it left the factory.
I’m still learning and would welcome any general observations or advice you’re willing to share. I look forward to reading through the archives and gaining a better understanding of these guns.
Glad to be here.
Josh

[Dean Romig]

Welcome Josh - As a paid up PGCA member you will be nearly shocked at what you will learn from the PGCA membership.

Welcome to your new adventure!





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[Dave Tatman]

Welcome, Josh! You can find out all things Parker-related on this site. Annual membership is one of the great values in the gun world!

So your first Parker? Welcome to the world of The Old Reliable!! Pictures of your gun will always enhance the ability of our members to provide accurate feedback.

There are a number of members here from the Buckeye State. I’m from NE OH. Where are you located?

Dave

[Rick Roemer]

Welcome Josh. I’m in Southwestern Ohio. You’ve joined a fabulous organization.

[matt koepnick]

welcome Josh, from Central Ohio. You'll find this membership is the most productive money you will spend this year. Mattly

[Reggie Bishop]

Welcome to the PGCA! You made a great decision to join and learn about the Parker shotgun.

[Dan Steingraber]

I'm in NW Ohio Josh. Does your gun have a fishtail top lever?

[Josh Miller]

Gentlemen,
Thank you again for the warm welcome — I appreciate it.
I’m located in east central Ohio.
As requested, I’ve attached several photos showing the overall condition, engraving detail, serial numbers, barrel pattern, and top view. The gun appears to have the standard rounded top lever rather than a fishtail style.
If there are any additional areas you’d like to see in more detail, I’m happy to take more photos.
Josh

[Dean Romig]

I truly love the early G’s and D’s for their transition engraving. The engraving style quickly morphed into the style that prevailed to the end of production when WWII broke out and the production of sporting guns ended. This style was pre-game scene within the oval.






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[Dan Steingraber]

Beautiful gun. Looks like she's been used in the manner in which she was intended.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Welcome Josh from another Buckeye. I grew up in Belmont County near St Clairsville, have worked there as an optometrist for 42 years, and own an old farm there also. I live just across the Ohio river in Wheeling now. Where are you located?
That's a nice Parker, 12 ga I assume. I often shoot a Grade 2 16 ga Damascus.
Good to have you on board.

[Brian Dudley]

Can you post additional photos of the wrist checkering on that stock?

[Garry L Gordon]

Welcome! That is indeed a fine example of the Parker craft. Enjoy it.

[Dean Romig]

Yes, please do post better pics of that checkering pattern on the wrist of the stock.





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[Josh Miller]

Gentlemen,
I received my research letter and wanted to share a brief summary.
The gun is listed as a Quality GH (hammerless), 12 gauge with 28" Damascus barrels, pistol grip stock, weighing 7 lbs 15 oz. It shipped in 1889 at a price of $80.

The records show it returned to Parker in July 1889 for minor work, again in January 1890 to have a new pair of barrels fitted, and later in September 1898 for cleaning, barrel reblue, recheckering, polishing, and installation of a new broad trigger. All serial numbers on the gun match.

The original purchaser is listed as C.K. Sober.

After receiving the letter, I did some digging on Mr. Sober and found something interesting. He was featured in The Strand Magazine in an article titled “A Wonderful Marksman.” The piece profiles him as a nationally known trick and trap shot from Lewisburg, PA and includes period photographs of him performing various shooting feats.

I’ve attached several of the pages here for anyone who might find them of interest. It certainly adds some character to the history of the gun.

I’m still learning and appreciate all the guidance along the way.
Josh

[Jerry Harlow]

I’m still learning and would welcome any general observations or advice you’re willing to share.
Josh

The fore end wood would greatly improve the gun if you had it professionally recheckered in the original GH pattern. It was either worn smooth or lightly sanded off, or maybe shooting through a barrel was the checkering's demise. :)

[Dave Noreen]

Welcome aboard. I see from your pictures that your gun is stamped Grade 2 above the serial number and Quality E below on the watertable. My heavy, a bit over nine pounds, 12-gauge 56213 is similarly stamped, 2 above and E below the serial number.

140263

One would normally expect a Grade 2 to be stamped G below the serial number if it is a 12-gauge or smaller. The E normally indicated a 10-gauge which cost $5 more.

140262

[Dean Romig]

Haz it been rebarreled to 12 gauge Dave?






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[Dave Noreen]

No. It letters from Mr. Conrad as a 12-gauge ordered June 1889 --

140267

It is the gun that went back to Parker Bros. for a set of 32-inch Vulcan Steel 20-gauge barrels, forearm and both sets of barrels got the 1910 bolt plate. I estimate that happening after 1919 as the rib legend on the Vulcan barrels is CT, U.S.A. and before 1926 as they don't have the PARKER BROS. OVERLOAD PROVED stamps.

140268

Any chance the recently acquired books might address the 20-gauge barrels?