Parker SxS

[Tommy Eddleman]

Hi,
I came across a parker ( no brothers ) #4327 top lever shot gun, Has shell ejector. say's London Fine Laminated Steel on the barrel divider. I gather it was made in 1875. But cant find much more on this specific gun. It has F*W*W and 13-14 on each barrel bottom side. Lock and most hardware engraved.

Any Ideas ?

Tommy.

[wayne goerres]

Check the bottom of the barrels again. You will be looking for a proof mark that is an oval with a L and a E and finally a G inside of the oval. If it dos'nt say Parker brothers on it it is'nt a american made Parker brothers. even though it makes reference to an english gun on the barrel it dose not mean it was made in England. Most likely Belgium made. Please post pictures especially of the under side of the barrels.

[charlie cleveland]

tommy more than likely its like wayne said a beligum gun..the belgum folks would use a name close to a brand name gun as a marketing ploy..it musta worked they sold thousands and thousands of these old guns..heh some of them are quite well made most though would wear out quickly and become really loose versus a gun like parker brothers could be shot a lot and still be a tight gun...there is a lot of guns like youre s with the parker name on it....charlie

[George Lander]

Tommy: The proof mark that Wayne & Charlie described stand for Liege, Belgium where most of what we call JABC (Just Another Belgium Clunker) were made and proofed. Hang it on the wall and get yourself a real Parker Bros. WELCOME TO PGCA!

Best Regards, George

[Tommy Eddleman]

Here's a few. I'll have to look at the barrel again. The gun is at my office

[wayne goerres]

Although it is not a Parker Brothers it dose appear to be well mad and IMHO a nice gun. I would be very interested in pictures of the proof marks.

[Rick Losey]

don't forget there was also a British maker named Parker.

those look like fairly common style Birmingham hammers

clear pictures of the proof marks are needed to tell

[Brian Dudley]

Yeah, that European "Parker" is a cut above the usual wall hanger quality guns that pop up with the Parker name often.
As others have said, this gun has absolutely no connection to Parker Brothers of Meriden, CT.

[George Lander]

Yeah, that European "Parker" is a cut above the usual wall hanger quality guns that pop up with the Parker name often.
As others have said, this gun has absolutely no connection to Parker Brothers of Meriden, CT.

Yes: I will second what Brian said. That looks to be a very nice gun but not a Parker Brothers.

Best Regards, George

[Bill Murphy]

It appears to be a well fitted European gun that deserves a second look before hanging it above the fireplace.

[Tommy Eddleman]

Here's the bottom. I guess this not being a REAL Parker it's only worth a couple of 100 ?? Sad I was hoping this guy had a gem !

T.

[Rick Losey]

Here's the bottom. I guess this not being a REAL Parker it's only worth a couple of 100 ?? Sad I was hoping this guy had a gem !

T.

that is a British Parker - not a cheap Belgium knock off on the name


the proof marks are from the Birmingham proof house

so- now - as with all Birmingham guns (some cheap some very high quality most some where in the middle ) the gun should be evaluated on its own features and condition

what are the bores like- if they are too shiney they may have been honed, if you cannot evaluate the barrels, they should be checked by a pro before shooting. wall thickness and the solder condition are critical

is the gun on face- is there any looseness or play with or without the fore end on

there is decent modest engraving - the hammers and action profile look very common for a Birmingham gun of that era. Many makers (and iron mongers) purchased the casting from the same sources and finished the gun in their own manner

[George Lander]

Rick is absolutely correct. While your gun is not an American Parker Bros. of Meridan, Conn. it is not a JABC either. Your gun was probably made by Alfred Gray Parker of 69 Icknield Street,Birmingham England sometime just before 1900. Depending on the condition of the barrels it is probably worth between $500 & $1,500 IMHO.

Best Regards, George

[wayne goerres]

It is indeed an English gun. That's why we need to see pic,s of the proof marks. If it is in good mechanical condition it will make a great shooter. Have it evalueated by a good gun smith before attempting to fire it.