I inherited a Parker Brothers side by side.

[kaneporter]

Hey guys and gals, I'm new to the site. I've been told recently that I would receive a Parker Brothers shotgun that I always liked after my father in law passed away. I haven't seen the gun for 15 years and vaguely remember what it looks like, but do remember some characteristics. It was a 12 gauge side by side. The receiver is engraved and if I remember correctly both barrels are also engraved all the way down to the ends. For some reason I remember it being what looked like nickel(unless the bluing is just gone) instead of blued. I will need help to identify this once I actually receive it. I did find a picture online that has the exact same engraving on the receiver and that pic is posted below. Any help y'all can give will be greatly appreciated. I know I didn't give much info, but that's all I can remember about it.

[Brian Dudley]

Well if the gun you will be getting is anything like the one you pictured, then you have a higher grade gun. Please do post photos of your gun when you receive it. We would all love to see it.

[Dean Romig]

The serial number would also be the first step in our helping you to identify your "new" Parker. Congratulations on your fine inheritance from a man of obvious taste and distinction.

[kaneporter]

I'm not sure of the condition as it's been 15 years since I've seen it, but remember that engraved scene as being exactly the same. I will definitely post pics when I get it.

[edgarspencer]

That looks like a grade 5, but I've never seen factory engraving like that.

[Dean Romig]

Grade 6 at least, with full coverage like that and the deep releif as well... IMHO of course.

[Rick Losey]

first -sincerely - our sympathies on your father in law's passing

in jest - I definitely need better relatives.

please post some detailed pictures when you get them

[greg conomos]

Holy Moly....all my father in law has is a Spanish-made copy of a Colt 45.

But...unless that gun is your gun it is unlikely the engraving is exactly like it. That gun you have shown is more than likely a one of a kind when it comes to the engraved scene.

[kaneporter]

The scene on the one I have pictured is exactly like the engraving on I've inherited. That's exactly the scene I remember from the gun.

[Pat Dugan]

I cant believe there would be two with that similar engraving on that high grade of Parker, unless a pair, just too detailed, cant wait for pictures.

[kaneporter]

So apparently 15 years of not seeing the gun, I was imagining what the engraving looked like, and the condition. The gun had been stored in a closet and the elements have taken hold. About 1 1/2 inches of the front part of the barrels are rusted pretty badly. The serial number is 669**. It says Damascus Steel on top between the two barrels. Has a patent date of March 26, 1878. I'm still not sure of what it's chambered in yet. I thought it was 12 gauge. Anyway, any info that y'all can give on identifying will be appreciated.

[kaneporter]

Left side of receiver.

[kaneporter]

Right side of receiver.

[greg conomos]

Well, from the little we can see it is a D grade damascus gun. Looks to be in fair condition but not excellent. The rust on the barrels sounds scary. Need more photos.

[wayne goerres]

Pull the forearm and then remove the barrels. You should find the grade stamped on the water table. If the gun is old enought it will be marked a grade 3 if a D grade. It may be marked DH or DHE if it has ejectors. on the bottom of the lug will be a number stamped such as 3 or 2 for frame size. Some of these guys can look and see if it is in the book but a partial serial no wont do them any good. they will need the complete serial no. More photos especially of the rusted areas and all no. and letters stamped on the gun would also be of help. Pictors are always helpfull. Nice engraveing.

[Paul Ehlers]

I agree with fishtail.

Some pictures of the barrel flats, wood & the rust damage would be helpful.

[kaneporter]

The end of the barrels is the worst part of the whole gun, but I'm not giving up hope that it may be repairable.

ON bottom of barrels where it connects to receiver, left side Pat'd April 12, 1876. Center block 66929. Right side under barrel is a 4 C with a D 41 under and a 3 out to the right of that. I don't see any other numbers. If needed I will try to post pics of the underside of the barrels. I'm having a hard time with the lighting right now to take good pics.

[kaneporter]

I took the best pics I could with what I have(bad camera).

[kaneporter]

Just a few more. And does have the ejectors

[Dean Romig]

Some of the stamps on the barrel flats are as follows:

D = Damascus Barrels
4 (with superscript)1 = 4 lbs., 1 oz.
3 = Grade 3 or D Grade
1 on the bottom of the rear barrel lug = 1 frame or a light 12 gauge.

As for the 'checkering within the skeleton steel buttplate... someone with a knife decided to "enhance" the original checkering. It is not at all how that checkering would have originally been done.

That rust at the muzzles may clean up but first that rust must be neutralized ASAP.

[kaneporter]

That rust at the muzzles may clean up but first that rust must be neutralized ASAP.[/QUOTE]

Is there anything u recommend to treat the rust?

[Dean Romig]

Until you can have the rust properly removed it should be thoroughly soaked with oil and kept well oiled.

[Brian Dudley]

That is a fine looking DH that you inherited. And it is in good overall condition. The rust at the tips of the barrels and the checkering on the butt is the only serious issues I can see. Both issues can be fixed.

Checkering may be able to be cleaned up and made correct by adding one or maybe two lines between each of the existing lines, and hen point up. Since the lines now look to be fairly evenly spaced.

[charlie cleveland]

very nice gun...i wish i had a lot of relatives with such guns in the closet..this will clean up well useing the advise given by the fellows...charlie

[edgarspencer]

That rust doesn't look all that bad. Rust is between 3 and 6 times thicker than the metal sacrificed in generating it. That, and that it's at the lowest pressure point on the barrels means with a small amount of striking, it probably won't even show up when the barrels are refinished. Rather than straight motor oil, I'd soak it in a dilute mix of motor oil or ATF with kerosene and a dash of acetone. In it's quest to consume the oxygen in the rust, the acetone will pull the oil/ATF in and lift the rust up, making it very easy to scrub away.
That's some pretty neat butt checkering. I'd guess you would measure it in lines per foot rather than lines per inch. It does seem to be done pretty parallel so it might not be that difficult for a guy like Brian to straighten out.

[wayne goerres]

Kind of looks like the checkering on some of the old english muzzle loaders. Some one probable did it with a thread file.

[Ben Rawls]

Anyone ever use "Evaporust" on Damascus.? I soaked an old LC Smith in it for a week and it came out looking "New in the white". Might be an alternative to the traditional treatment.

[Brian Dudley]

I think that something like Evaporust will remove rust, bluing, patina and near any finish that is on the metal. If it is the product I think it is.

I guess it depends on what he wants to do with this gun. If refinishing the barrels completely is what is intended, then really any rust removal method will work since the metal will have to be re-struck to remove pitting in that area. However, if refinishing is not an option then mild methods of removing the heavier scale will need to be used (oil and mild abrasives), and the pitting can be lived with as part of the story of the gun.

[Paul Ehlers]

Over all I'd have to say your a lucky man to inherit a gun like this.

If this were mine. I would be on the phone tomorrow talking to Brad Bachelder about sending the gun to him for evaluation of the rust damage & getting his recommendation on what to do about it.

Brads a great guy that knows his stuff & someone I would trust to save this DH -12 by doing the repairs correctly.

[Ben Rawls]

"Evaporust" will indeed remove everything on the metal. It will be a clean piece of steel when you take it out. Looks like the last 2" is pretty well FUBAR anyway so I'd give it a try on that part if it was the only choice at reclamation. The best choice is to send it to a restorer. Brian you've done enough of these to know whereof you speak.

[Dean Romig]

I would suggest that anyone attempting to do something to SXS barrels on his own to proceed with all due caution. Some chemicals will compromise the solder that holds the ribs to the barrels and that's the last thing you would ever want as a result of 'trial and error'.

[kaneporter]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I'm curious if it would be in my best interest to have the barrels refinished, or to clean the rust off and leave the barrels alone? There's a local gunsmith that has been in business for 40+ years, and is very reputable. Do y'all think I should let him do the job?

[Chuck Bishop]

Personally, I'd send it to a gunsmith that is familiar with Damascus barrels. Your smith may be reputable but does he have experience with vintage shotguns, Parker's in particular plus Damascus barrels? It would be best to send it to someone like Brad Bachelder, Kirk Merrington, or Keith Kearcher. They can take care of the rust, refinish the barrels if you want, and also tell you if the barrels are structurally sound. Just MHO.

[Paul Ehlers]

I wouldn't mess aroung with a local gunsmith. More damage has been done to Parkers over the years by do it yourselfers & experienced gunsmiths that don't understand Parkers or thier value.

Brad & the others mentioned specialize in the proper technics to repair these great guns correctly.

It will be worth every penny spent in shipping to have Brad or one of the others look your gun over & give their recommendation on how to go about saving this gun.