serialization help

[Mark Kuhlman]

serial #173612

I believe it is a grade one from 1916. Not sure about original barrel length and so forth. Any help would be appreciated. Also if there are members in the Va. Bch. area that might be able to help, I would be more than willing to drive to them and ask for an opinion. It does have a cracked buttplate. Thank you.

[Rick Losey]

173612 shows as 28 inch capped pistol grip grade 0 plain twist 12 gauge

[Bill Murphy]

Mark, you are correct. It should be a Grade 1, or PH hammerless.

[Rick Losey]

Mark, you are correct. It should be a Grade 1, or PH hammerless.


when the book says "PT" - the grade code list in the book shows PT as grade 0 plain twist,

is that meant to say P grade with twist? The "PP" says "grade 1(PH)" with steel barrels?

so both are PH's and the difference is the barrel material?

[Mark Kuhlman]

Thanks guys now I am really confused. LOL

[Mark Kuhlman]

It does have a capped pistol grip, 28 inch barrels and the stock has what looks like a brass medallion embedded in it that looks like a federal type symbol. Buttplate is marked with a one and I believe the frame size is 1 1/2. It is a 12 gauge.

[Jim DiSpagno]

What does the inscription on the barrel rib say and what in the alpha-numeric designation on the left water table say? That will help verify what the serialization book has in it.

[Mark Kuhlman]

Barrel says 4-030 Parker Bros. Makers Meridian Conn Twist ??? cant make it out.
Water table has a T, 3 15, 12, 1 1/2 and JG in a circle. Inside frame has what looks like PHO and a P under the serial number.

[Jim DiSpagno]

P grade with twist steel barrels and that would equate to a grade 0

[Dave Suponski]

Jim, That would be a grade 1 gun....:)

[Dean Romig]

In Parker hammerless guns the PH and PHE are Grade 1 guns and could have either Twist Steel barrels or Parker Steel barrels.

The Vulcan or VH and VHE are Grade 0 guns and normally have Vulcan Steel barrels although a very few had Twist and even fewer had Damascus Steel barrels

[Jim DiSpagno]

Mea culpa

[Mark Kuhlman]

Thanks for the input. Now how do you establish a fair market value for a gun like this. I have went through the bluebook of gun values and it gets even more confusing due to the various amounts of models listed in this publication. If I have this figured out I guess I would be looking at the PH 12 gauge valuation. I am thinking about doing something with it but would like to be fair and realistic. Thanks

[Mark Kuhlman]

Any input on valuation research would be appreciated.

[Mark Kuhlman]

Did I do something wrong asking for help in how to value this shotgun. Had some very helpful info posted early on and no response on how to value this shotgun.

[Bill Murphy]

A PH grade (hammerless Grade 1) with twist barrels is a low value gun unless in high condition. It takes money to get it into high condition. If it is in good shooting condition, we would recommend you clean it up the best you can and use it. It is an unusual gun in that it is very late for a hammerless Twist steel barrel gun, adding to the confusion of grading it in the book. In the hammer gun period, a Twist gun was a Grade 0 in most cases. In the hammerless period, a Plain Twist gun was a Grade 1. Not all notations in the Serialization Book jive with the instructions. A PT hammerless is a great gun and you should enjoy it.

[Dean Romig]

Bill's right. The value of a lower gradeParker is subjective. High definition pictures, at the least, of every aspect of the gun are necessary to even begin to assign a value.

[Mark Kuhlman]

Thanks for the help. Where would be a good place to sell this gun? At this point I really have no use for it. In my opinion other than the butt plate being cracked and chipped the gun is in good condition for its age. Would it be a good idea to take it to a gun show?

[Mills Morrison]

You can join PGCA and post it in the for sale section. That costs $40. You also get all the benefits of PGCA membership which includes 4 magazines.

[Bill Murphy]

The "Carry it around at a gun show" plan will probably limit you to a $100 offer unless a serious Parker collector recognize some point of collector value.

[Bill Murphy]

I just reread the entire thread and realize that there are no pictures. If you want an appraisal, even one within $1000 of its true value, you need to show us pictures.