Hello Mr. Brege,
Parker shotgun, serial number 16513, was ordered by Crawford & Lovell of Savannah, GA for Wm. N. Nichols and ship to Jno. P. Morris Sons on April 2, 1880 and shipped on April 9, 1880. According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 7, it was a Quality D, Lifter Action Hammer Gun, 12-gauge. It featured Damascus steel barrels with a length of 30 inches. The price was $125.00 less $80 for trade in of S/N 15062. According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 17, the gun was returned by Wm. Nichols for a credit of $95.00 on the purchase of S/N 36884. According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 18, the gun was purchased by Rev. J.E. Searle of NYC. The price was $75.00. According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 23, the gun was returned on April 16, 1888 by R.M. Searles of NYC to restock. The price was $10.00. According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 28, the gun was returned on January 31, 1891 to chamber the gun to “10”, and make LH shoot best can. There was no charge. According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 29, the gun was returned on September 2, 1891 by the Charles Parker Co. of NYC to “make shoot”. The name “Searles” is found in the return order. The price was $1.50.
According to Parker Bros. Stock Book No. 6, the stock configuration was a pistol grip and its specifications were: Length of Pull: 14 ¼”, Drop at Heel: 2 7/8”, Weight: 7 pounds and 14 ounces. The chokes were patterned RH 170 pellets and LH 170 pellets of size 7 shot in a 24” circle at 45 yards.
Parker Bros., Remington Arms Company Inc. and others repaired and reconfigured guns as a major part of the gun trade. Over the years, this Parker may have undergone changes to suit its owners, either at the factory or other competent facility. Complete factory return and repair records do not exist therefore our research team cannot comment, report, or have any responsibility for work performed. It is important to note that those Parker records remaining are hand written and show considerable fading from their age. The research committee has done its best to interpret and report our findings in answer to this request and assumes no responsibility for the recorded accuracy or other work completed.
Sincerely,
Chuck Bishop
The Parker Gun Collectors Association Inc.
P. O. Box 126502, Harrisburg, Pa. 17112
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