Parker 1903 Double Barrel Shotgun

[briancrocker]

http://imgur.com/a/buHMz

Edited after forum user feedback.

I've got a bit of a mystery I'd like your help solving. We know very little about this shotgun other than a small part of its history and where it came from. We'd like to get as much information as we can. This shotgun was purchased by a very wealthy alcohol distiller in 1934, multi-millionair before prohibition in the 20s, he died shortly after. It was gifted to my great-grandfather, whom passed it down to his son, whom passed it down again to his, my father. My grandfather used it for hunting quite a bit, it appears to be in its original used condition. Please help us fill in the blanks:


Grade: EEO
Model #: Remington 1984
Manufacturer: Remington Arms Co.
Manufacture date: 1900
Serial#: P.116###
Approximate value: ???


If I need to add more detailed pictures, I can.

[Rick Losey]

Some of the basic information is obtained with a compete serial number

In addition to that clear detailed photos would be a help

Added- missed the photo link when I looked on the phone,

[Dean Romig]

Well, the pictures on the link you provided are of an absolutely stunning Remington double. Do you actually have a Parker Bros. shotgun?

[briancrocker]

It does say Remington on the barrel, but the serial# starts with P. We think it was a Parker's because Remington bought out the company in 1934 I think, which is when the shotgun was purchased.

I'd rather not post the whole serial #, but we have looked it up and nothing was found on it. Are there any other sites besides this one we can search the serial# on? I don't think there will be any documentation on it though, I think the warehouse with all the records burned down in 1937.

[Dean Romig]

The gun pictured is definitely not a Parker shotgun made either by Parker Bros. in Meriden CT or by Remington in Ilion, NY. It is a Remington shotgun made by Remington Arms Co.

It is a beautiful and valuable shotgun nonetheless.

I love those woodcock though... especially the one with its bill stuck in the ground probing for earthworms - very, very nice!!

[briancrocker]

The gun pictured is definitely not a Parker shotgun made either by Parker Bros. in Meriden CT or by Remington in Ilion, NY. It is a Remington shotgun made by Remington Arms Co.

It is a beautiful and valuable shotgun nonetheless.

Hmm. I posted another couple pictures at the end of the album:
http://imgur.com/a/buHMz

Maybe they will change your mind? Ilion, NY stamped right on the barrel. If not a Parker, what does it mean that it was made in Ilion, NY?

[Dean Romig]

Nope... It's still not a Parker shotgun.

You've got to accept the fact that it is a beautiful Remington shotgun.

It is a valuable shotgun by anyone's estimation. Don't think for a minute that your gun will not stand on it's own merit. It will because it is a fine old shotgun made to the highest standards of manufacture and lovely finish.

[wayne goerres]

Nice remington. Dean is right it is'nt a parker.

[Fred Verry]

Brian, the shotgun in your linked photos is a Remington model 1894 manufactured in either 1899 or 1900 depending on the final three digits in your actual serial number. Two good sources for you to acquire further information about this gun would be the Remington Society website and the book: Remington Double Shotguns by Charles Semmer. Hope this helps.

[Bill Murphy]

Tell us what the markings are on the barrel flats and water table (flats of the receiver when gun is disassembled). This is one of the higher grade Remingtons and is worth a fortune. Go on remingtonsociety.com and click on RSA Forums. You will have to register to post.

[Ed Blake]

http://doublegunshop.com/semmer.htm

The above link is to Mr. Charles Semmer's book on Remington shotguns via the Double Gunshop website. That's a very high grade gun. Maybe an E-grade.

[briancrocker]

Added 3 more images to http://imgur.com/a/buHMz

Dad somehow cross-referenced some material and thought Parker was involved. Ya'll are starting to convince me though :)

It clearly has E marked, but I also see an F on the flat. Dad also was confused with an excerpt from the Double Shotgun book ya'll referenced, because it states the E grades didn't have gold or silver in-lays. Maybe it's an F grade?

This is fun, thank ya'll for the help so far!

[briancrocker]

I'll start a post over at remington society, thank you for all the help.

[Eldon Goddard]

You do not see that posted every day.

[edgarspencer]

That is the finest Remington I have ever seen.

[Bill Murphy]

What a great gun, the best of the best. I'm waiting for the owner to ask what we think it is worth. By the way, where is this fine gun located?

[Dave Noreen]

The P was a Remington Arms Co. stock letter used in the later years of the the Remington Hammerless Double Barrel Shotgun production. The Model 1894s had a P and the Model 1900s a Q preceeding their serial numbers. Your gun is what is called an EEO-Grade. Actually, E is the grade, the second E is for Ejectors and the O is for Ordnance Steel barrels.

The only higher grade was the "Remington Special" --

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/Ansleyone/Remington/1908Cataloguecut-away.jpg

From the 1908 Remington Arms Co. catalogue.

Remington Arms Co. ceased their production of break-action shotguns in early 1910 and sold their entire inventory to Norvell Shapleigh Hardware Co. of St Louis. They rightly saw that the future was with their John M. Browning designed Remington Autoloading Shotgun and their John D. Pedersen designed Remington Repeating Shotgun

[briancrocker]

Awesome feedback. Updated the OP with relevant information, wished I could change the title now too.

Not sure we care about the value, my grandfather and great-grandfather figured it was worth $1000, my dad laughed and told them otherwise. It's my dad's prized possession, he won't even tell his friends he has it.

[charlie cleveland]

a fine remington you have there its the best one i ve seen too... charlie

[Eric Eis]

That is one beautiful Remington gun, the engraving is great...