Novice from Hugo, MN

[mark f. murphy]

All - I am curious as to the value of my Parker Brothers shot gun. I was able to match up the following from the website but I am not entirely sure if I have all information correct. In addition, I have attached some photos. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Serial Number: 48852
Year Mfg.: 1886
Grade: 0
Gauge: 10
Frame Size: 4
Barrel Weight: 6
Barrel Length: 34"
Barrel Type: Merridan Conn. Twist

28806

28807

28808

28809

[Rick Losey]

welcome Mark

and nice old piece

you might want to post this - or ask an admin to move it to the hammer gun forum

6lb 15 oz 34 inch barrel - what does the gun weight? and what are the bores like?

[edgarspencer]

That's a hell of nice gun.

[Robert Rambler]

Looks like a heavy duty 10 gauge ! :)

[edgarspencer]

It probably soaks up the recoil pretty well. I love the checkering on the PG.
According to the Serialization book, it's just as it left the factory. 34" barrels are scarce and the men big enough to carry that gun out to the blind like them alot.

[charlie cleveland]

yep thats a really nice old duck gun and them 34 inch barrels are what dreams are made for...your gun is a much desired gun..and would be worth more by far than the average old ten gauge... charlie

[Rick Losey]

If I read the Parker Story charts correctly - there were only 48 guns made in this grade and barrel length combination.

[David Hamilton]

The gun demands that you get together with some of our water fowlers and stoot the great old Parker for the sake of all that we once were and should never forget as well as what we are now. Happy Thanksgiving!! David

[Brian Dudley]

What a gun! The gun has some great things going for it. 34" barrels on a 4 frame. Both are very desireable features in the area of collecting since they are more rare.
A few observations of the gun that I see from the few photos you shared...
The hammers on the gun appear to be incorrect replacements. And also the buttstock looks to be a non-Parker replacement. The form of grip and comb are not normal and so is the checkering. I cannot tell more from what I see.

[mark f. murphy]

Mr. Dudley,

Thanks for taking a look at my gun. The gun has been in my family for the last 20 years and I know for a fact that we have not altered it. What happened in the previous 125 years I'll leave up to you and the others to weigh in on. The butt stop does have what looks to be the original Parker Brothers plate on it. Take a look at the photos and let me know what you think. If you would like any other specific angles, etc., just let me know. Again, thanks for all your help.

Hopefully Mr. Losey reads this reply as well, the gun weighs 12.5 lbs. and has bores that are bright, clean and I can not see any pitting.

Mark

[Rick Losey]

Mark - the more you post the more we like it, what a waterfowling piece that is.

I hope you get a chance to take a bird or two with it

As for the stock, there would be a serial number under the trigger guard tang if it is a Parker stock-- just make sure whoever looks has properly fitting screwdrivers and knows what they are doing

[mark f. murphy]

Rick,

I just took the PB to my local gun shop and while they don't handle Parker Bros much, they did confirm that the stock does not have a serial number underneath the trigger guard tang. Does this mean that the stock has been replaced? If it has should I find a replacement stock?

[Rick Losey]

Mark - a replacement is a replacement - still won't be the original, that is not a bad looking piece of wood.

Brian is much more the expert on stock than almost anyone else here. before you do anything with it- talk to him or maybe some one like Brad Balchelder. Stock work is not cheap but that gun is so great, anything you do must be done correctly by someone who really knows Parkers, maybe some of the cosmetics can be improved.

i just wish I could see that one in action in a duck blind.

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

Mark: I believe I have its twin that came out of the Fergas Falls Minn. area. It is a 34 inch 5 frame 10 ga. That weighs a tad more than yours. I believe those Minnesota boys were a serious bunch of waterfowlers back in the day. Thomas

[edgarspencer]

Whether the stock is original, or not, it looks right as rain. If the hammers are original to the gun, they should have either the entire serial number, or the last 3 digits, on the back of them, but, they too, look correct.
I'm not sure I'd do much, if anything, to the gun s it looks to be in solid, good condition.

[David Hamilton]

I agree, the gun looks fine and I wouldn't change anything. Just shoot it!! David

[John Farrell]

I can see that old gun sitting alongside its owner in a blind on the St. Croix river in days of yore. Quite a piece to have in the family. There are a lot of guys on this site that would be in hog heaven adding it to their already large collections. It certainly fills in a gap in what is still needed.

[Brian Dudley]

Hammers can always be replaced to be made correct.
The only real issues with the non-original stock is form. The fit looks to be good from what I see. The shape of the panels around the lock plates, the grip and comb are not correct. The checkering is all wrong. And if you look close, there is no spur on that original 3 frame buttplate. These would all have spurs on the early guns.
All of these mentioned issues can be corrected.

Of course, all this takes noting away from it being a perfectly usable Parker.

[mark f. murphy]

Brian - Assuming your observations are correct, which I don't doubt they are, can I still get a letter of authencity from Parker Brothers for my Parker in it's current state? If not, how much would the replacement stock and hammers cost and how much value would it add to the gun?
Thanks - Mark

[Brian Dudley]

Of course you can. Providing the PGCA has records on your gun. Go to the home page and put in your serial number under the research letter section.
Joining the PGCA will give you a much worth while discounted rate on a research letter.

If you want a quote from me regarding repairs on your gun, please feel free to contact me directly.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Mark, I would be proud to own that gun and you should be as well, the gun has more days afield left in it than you are me have left, Gary

[Rick Losey]

Brian - Assuming your observations are correct, which I don't doubt they are, can I still get a letter of authencity from Parker Brothers for my Parker in it's current state? Mark

there are records for that gun, the letter will reference the original specs and some chance of alterations if any done by Parker. Current condition or non-parker repairs do not affect your getting a letter, they just won't be in it.


as we have said - great gun- if you do anything- do it with a lot of thought

and I still hope to see pictures of that gun back in the waterfowl blind