pre 1874 12 gauge lifter

[nate kuenzer]

Can you guys shed some light on this older Parker for me-- serial number is B1346 and the cut down 27" Damascus barrels have this stamping on the top rib: parker bros. makers meriden conn. damascus steel. the water table is marked on the left barrel F 9 R, serial B1346. on botom of receiver on trigger plate marked, patented no/13.1865
email me at goldstar.nate@casair.net.

thanks

[Chuck Bishop]

Nate,

The gun predates what we have records on. If it was made in1 872, the 1872 price lists show the gun as being a $135 Dollar grade or higher due to the Damascus barrels. I don't think anybody knows what the "B" means in front of the S/N. Post some pictures!

[nate kuenzer]

Nate,

The gun predates what we have records on. If it was made in1 872, the 1872 price lists show the gun as being a $135 Dollar grade or higher due to the Damascus barrels. I don't think anybody knows what the "B" means in front of the S/N. Post some pictures!

I will attempt to do that. any idea on value? it is far from perfect, but it is all there and seems to be in working condition.

[Brian Dudley]

A lot of these early guns have a sort of letter prefix with the serial number. Most commonly a "B". And yes, there is no clear consensus as to what it means. And I do not think anyone knows for sure what the "F9R" marking is either. This is also a very common marking on guns within the first several thousand serial numbers.

If your gun is fitted with Damascus barrels, it is likely a front action gun. Since usually back actions were decarbonated steel.

Your gun would have the early features such as the lifter pin in top of frame (unless returned to factory for converting), the keyed forend, wedge forend tip, and the flush finished hinge pin. And, likely your gun does not have rebounding locks.

Value is depending on condition, and we cannot determine without good photos.

With a barrel length like 27", they could be likely cut. But, odd and fractional barrel lengths are more commonly found on earlier guns.

[nate kuenzer]

A lot of these early guns have a sort of letter prefix with the serial number. Most commonly a "B". And yes, there is no clear consensus as to what it means. And I do not think anyone knows for sure what the "F9R" marking is either. This is also a very common marking on guns within the first several thousand serial numbers.

If your gun is fitted with Damascus barrels, it is likely a front action gun. Since usually back actions were decarbonated steel.

Your gun would have the early features such as the lifter pin in top of frame (unless returned to factory for converting), the keyed forend, wedge forend tip, and the flush finished hinge pin. And, likely your gun does not have rebounding locks.

Value is depending on condition, and we cannot determine without good photos.

With a barrel length like 27", they could be likely cut. But, odd and fractional barrel lengths are more commonly found on earlier guns.

hey thanks for the info I will try to get photos up for viewing. thanks again!!

[nate kuenzer]

Here is a link to an album on photobucket: http://s67.photobucket.com/user/goldstarguns/library/Parker%20Shotgun?sort=3&page=1

If you would like more pictures let me know!

[Brian Dudley]

Based on the photos the following observations can be made. The barrels look like they have been clipped. Either down from 28" or 30". Exterior finish condition looks average for most of these early guns that one will find. Wood looks pretty solid with just minor issues like chipped edges in some spots. It is equivelent to a grade 2 gun.
The Right hammer is not a Parker hammer. The right hammer is a Parker hammer, but does not appear to be original to the gun, being that it is a hammer from a little bit of a later lifter. And there is no engraving on it to match the rest of the gun.

[nate kuenzer]

Based on the photos the following observations can be made. The barrels look like they have been clipped. Either down from 28" or 30". Exterior finish condition looks average for most of these early guns that one will find. Wood looks pretty solid with just minor issues like chipped edges in some spots. It is equivelent to a grade 2 gun.
The Right hammer is not a Parker hammer. The right hammer is a Parker hammer, but does not appear to be original to the gun, being that it is a hammer from a little bit of a later lifter. And there is no engraving on it to match the rest of the gun.

hey Brian,
thanks for your time and expertise!! what would you consider a fair resale price of this old parker? wish it could talk, so I could enjoy it`s history!
Thanks again!!
Nate

[Brian Dudley]

Based on the little that I see and the issues with the gun, I would say no more than $500. Could go up from there with other unknowns like bore condition and lockup. If both are Very good, that is a plus.

That is just my opinion.

[Grantham Forester]

Based on the little that I see and the issues with the gun, I would say no more than $500. Could go up from there with other unknowns like bore condition and lockup. If both are Very good, that is a plus.

That is just my opinion. Brian- did you not notice the missing parts on the forearm and the chips- the front metal escutcheon is gone, the steel engraved wedge that locks the forearm in place to the barrel hanger loop is missing and replaced with a wood splinter, and the area on both sides of the wedge, which should have a metal scroll around it I believe, is ripped- the forearm iron has heavy rust, the right barrel hammer will not hold at healf cock as does the left barrel hammer, and if you look closely at the front "tongues" of the lock plates, you will see that the right barrel lockplate it tight and flush fit, as it should be, the lip on the left barrel lock plate is "set back" from a full flush fit by about 3/32" eyeball- I am thinking, with the cut off barrels and out of round muzzles, maybe $250 tops "as is" but I will yield to the others, such as yourself here, who work at restoring older Parkers for a living-:bowdown:

[Brian Dudley]

I did not notice the issues with the forend other than the chips in the wood. The photos were a little dark and I may have overlooked a few things.
The right hammer MAY not have any issue since this gun would have non-rebounding locks, and of the hammer is not pulled back to half cock, it would rest against the firing pin bushing like it is in the photo.
And, I did say NO More than $500 based on what I could see.

As we all know, sale prices can be debatable. I have seen some in worse condition sell for more. I do not state what I would pay, but what some might pay.

[Grantham Forester]

I did not notice the issues with the forend other than the chips in the wood. The photos were a little dark and I may have overlooked a few things.
The right hammer MAY not have any issue since this gun would have non-rebounding locks, and of the hammer is not pulled back to half cock, it would rest against the firing pin bushing like it is in the photo.
And, I did say NO More than $500 based on what I could see.

As we all know, sale prices can be debatable. I have seen some in worse condition sell for more. I do not state what I would pay, but what some might pay. That is indeed quite fair. Thanks!!:):)