Old Parker Bros. Side by side

[Bryce Schonfeld]

Hello,

My Grandfather passed away and while cleaning out his basement we came across a old shotgun. I have no idea what to do with it. Should I leave it alone, get it working, or have it re-done. The right hammer is not working properly either. Here are some photos because I have no idea other than the serial number indicates it was made in 1885. Any help would be appreciated.

[Chuck Bishop]

Looks like it might be a Quality L or M depending upon if it's a straight grip or pistol grip. Quality L or M had Laminated barrels.

Can it be brought back to shootable condition? It all depends on the condition of the barrels. The left hammer can be fixed. Show us some more quality pictures of the receiver, receiver flats, barrel flats, forend, stock, rib inscription. What is the barrel length?

What's the serial number?

[Bryce Schonfeld]

Ok, thanks. I will take some better pics with more info in a few. Thanks for the promt response.

[Bryce Schonfeld]

Ok, here are some higher quality pictures. the barrel is 28 inches (measured from tip of barrel to breach). The serial number is 45108. I would put it poor condition. The grandfather wasn't much of a gun guy and no idea who owned it before him. I love guns and would love to see it again in better shape. If you need a specific picture just walk me through it. Thanks

[Daryl Corona]

Interesting gun Bryce. It shows a trap buttplate and the 28" barrels look to be original according to the serialization book. 28" on a trap gun is worth a research letter to maybe link it to the Folsom trap guns. Become a member and you can order a letter for $40.00. $100.00 for a non-member. With your membership ($40.00 I believe) you receive our wonderful publication "Parker Pages" and access to areas of our forum only available to members. There might be a lot of interesting history attached to your gun. Good luck.

[Bryce Schonfeld]

I've become a member and will be ordering a research letter. What grade might this firearm be? Grade 1?

[Bryce Schonfeld]

Ok found it, Grade 1.

[David Holes]

That's definitely an interesting gun and worth a letter. Laminated, 1 frame and trap butt plate make it interesting. Welcome aboard Dave

[Brian Dudley]

Very interesting gun indeed. As for overall condition and operation. All the metal has been blued, which is not really a major deal (as long as not hot blue), just not correct finish. Anything mechanical like the one hammer not working can be repaired. How is it not working? Not cocking, not firing, just loose? How tight is the breech? How are the bores?
The stock head and wrist is quite busted up. Hard to tell of it is beyond a functional repair. Might be able to be saved.

[Bryce Schonfeld]

The breach is tight. The right hammer will not lock into position and appears that the spring might be broke. The left hammer and corresponding trigger works. I will not be firing the gun more than likely, the right inner bore has some pitting and the left looks good.

[Drew Hause]

Bryce: scroll down just a bit for information on the Folsom Parker Trap Guns
http://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1OxZo5Tkvx2G8eYf747QR9B5RJdN6Siu5JGIhfguSXX Q

[Bryce Schonfeld]

Thank you, that is great.

[Dean Romig]

Folsom trap guns are few and far between. Too bad yours has been so abused. Whatever you do, do not discard that buttplate. Your gun can certainly be restored if you care to bear the expense.

[Bill Murphy]

The author of the blurb on Parker Trap Guns supplied by Drew Hause is Mark Conrad, our former PGCA Research Committee. The original PGCA research committee copied the Parker order books in 1998 and discovered these interesting Folsom orders. In the years since, several of these guns have been discovered.