Early parker questions.

[Charles Lorenz]

I was given a Parker double barrel shotgun from my grandfather about 15 years ago. I put it in my gun cabinet and never really thought much about it. As I was trying to shove another gun in the cabinet the other day I decided to pull it out and look more into it. All I know about the gun is that it was my grate grandfathers gun but don't know if he bought it new or used. As of right now I am not even sure it is a real Parker. The gun is not in the best of shape not sure if it is even worth anything. I took a bunch of pics hoping you guys might be able to help me out.
Charles

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h444/lorenz725/7B253EBF-9DDC-407A-BA10-17622986EC2C_zpst1f0vvu6.jpg (http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/lorenz725/media/7B253EBF-9DDC-407A-BA10-17622986EC2C_zpst1f0vvu6.jpg.html)
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http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h444/lorenz725/AD3EF8CE-8FC7-4C29-97BB-910F7525FAC2_zpsidmqttz4.jpg (http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/lorenz725/media/AD3EF8CE-8FC7-4C29-97BB-910F7525FAC2_zpsidmqttz4.jpg.html)
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http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h444/lorenz725/5E201FBE-3DB0-4A53-9C28-CFE381E35379_zpseyk3jkmi.jpg (http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/lorenz725/media/5E201FBE-3DB0-4A53-9C28-CFE381E35379_zpseyk3jkmi.jpg.html)
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h444/lorenz725/898B6A75-CD1B-40A3-933A-46D95E46E218_zpsrcxrohoz.jpg (http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/lorenz725/media/898B6A75-CD1B-40A3-933A-46D95E46E218_zpsrcxrohoz.jpg.html)
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http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h444/lorenz725/15F8A5D1-AFEC-4E4D-A66D-A1C345422FDA_zps2ozgmqtj.jpg (http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/lorenz725/media/15F8A5D1-AFEC-4E4D-A66D-A1C345422FDA_zps2ozgmqtj.jpg.html)
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h444/lorenz725/6DB5EEC1-5A18-4999-8F93-E209B1680606_zpswqxjnnwh.jpg (http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/lorenz725/media/6DB5EEC1-5A18-4999-8F93-E209B1680606_zpswqxjnnwh.jpg.html)
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h444/lorenz725/CBE41804-B767-4A17-9097-158F2A7A851D_zpsaundq2ve.jpg (http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/lorenz725/media/CBE41804-B767-4A17-9097-158F2A7A851D_zpsaundq2ve.jpg.html)
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h444/lorenz725/1284DFE4-2B7C-4AFB-85CD-8D14379A3C32_zpsqn29crgf.jpg (http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/lorenz725/media/1284DFE4-2B7C-4AFB-85CD-8D14379A3C32_zpsqn29crgf.jpg.html)
http:
[URL=http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/lorenz725/media/CC0BDC0E-8B04-4C08-9F46-7C44F39B6BEC_zpsiphtpczj.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h444/lorenz725/CC0BDC0E-8B04-4C08-9F46-7C44F39B6BEC_zpsiphtpczj.jpg (http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/lorenz725/media/CC0BDC0E-8B04-4C08-9F46-7C44F39B6BEC_zpsiphtpczj.jpg.html)
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h444/lorenz725/B682C8CD-426A-444C-9CBD-0A2A625E7695_zpsyedksiz7.jpg (http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/lorenz725/media/B682C8CD-426A-444C-9CBD-0A2A625E7695_zpsyedksiz7.jpg.html)
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h444/lorenz725/199228ED-AB58-4350-825D-E55EC69C9B71_zpsyxkgoxui.jpg (http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/lorenz725/media/199228ED-AB58-4350-825D-E55EC69C9B71_zpsyxkgoxui.jpg.html)
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h444/lorenz725/57173FA6-1FFD-4C12-A1AB-D77DCCE11682_zpsbwsmyqa5.jpg (http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/lorenz725/media/57173FA6-1FFD-4C12-A1AB-D77DCCE11682_zpsbwsmyqa5.jpg.html)

[Rick Losey]

looks like a real nice Parker lifter - a grade 3?

we could give you some details if there wasn't tape over the serial number

what are the bores like?

assuming that is is in shootable condition, yes it is worth something

[Charles Lorenz]

I only put tape on them because I seen others did. Not really sure why. Here is the SN 17523. The bores are clean for the most part.

[Mike McKinney]

I'd say it's a pretty nice gun and one you should be really proud of. You should spring for a membership in PGCA and order a letter, could be some really good info for your gun.

[Brian Dudley]

Wow! Nice gun in that it is a higher grade. As rich suggested, looks like a grade 3. But it is hard to tell sometimes with the earlier guns.
Guns of this early vintage in grades higher than 2 are not very commonly seen.
Yes, the gun is not in fantastic cosmetic condition. But it is all there and looks to be solid and sound.

[Charles Lorenz]

Thanks for the comments about the gun. I do want to get a membership and a letter for sure just have to save up some money. Anyone know a good gunsmith in the Ohio area I would really like to get it checked out and see if I would be a able to shoot it.

[Bob Hardison]

That's a family heirloom for sure. Bob

[Rick Losey]

I only put tape on them because I seen others did. Not really sure why. Here is the SN 17523. The bores are clean for the most part.

the book lists that gun as a grade 3 12 gauge with 30 inch barrels, just what the pictures show - a great unmessed with gun.

with the barrels mounted, but not the foreend- hold the gun vertical and give it a shake with a twist of the wrist, i doubt you will hear it rattle, (this checks the barrel being on face to the action), and hang the barrels by the barrel hook from a finger (over a bed is a good idea in case they fall) and flick the barrels with a finger nail from the other hand - you should hear a gentle ring like a tuning fork- this shows the solder is in good shape- i fully expect this gun to pass these simple tests with flying colors.

hopefully - an Ohio member can refer you to someone who can check the wall thickness - or offer to do it for you. with the family history - but I do not expect the bores have been honed.

Order from shells from RST and enjoy it

I think any of us would be very thrilled to have that gun as a family heirloom - I would not do any thing more than a gentle cleaning and keep it. You'll likely get offers, if you have not already- ignore them please

keep it for the next generation

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Thats for sure a keeper, some nice engraving, and a TLC and you will have people turning their heads when they see it, Gary

[Charles Lorenz]

Thank you all for the info on the gun. I am very excited about the gun and I do hope to shoot it one day. I am going to save up and join the site there is a lot of good info and I think I can learn a lot. Thanks again!

[Dean Romig]

A very nice example of a Grade 3. Your gun was made in 1880 and has some very nice engraving. It could be cleaned by a professional and if it was mine I would have the barrels refinished just to bring out the nice Damascus pattern to complement the engraving but I don't think I would do anything to the rest of the gun.... except to shoot it.

[Charles Lorenz]

Any ideas what I could use to clean it a bit. I don't want to use anything that might hurt the gun. Just wiping down the barrels with some oil cleaned them up a lot.

[Bob Hardison]

Charles: First, do no harm. Be very careful and patient. Frontier pad and Hoppes #9 on the metal. No abrasives. Others here know more than me and will give good advice. Bob

[Charles Lorenz]

Thank you Bob that is why I have not done any cleaning to the gun. I want to make sure I don't hurt the gun in any way. I am used to cleaning modern shotguns and riffles.

[Rick Losey]

http://www.exploreproducts.com/big45-frontier-gun-cleaner.htm

[Dean Romig]

I endorse Frontier Pads too.

Something that should not be overlooked is that any time you are working on metal parts that are adjacent to the wood, such as cleaning, the wood should be removed so that pads and solvents won't cause any harm to the wood's finish. This is why I suggested a professional earlier. Some folks can do it properly but some nice guns have been harmed by the inexperienced hand.

[Robin Lewis]

Clean it like you would a modern gun. Use Hoppes #9 to soften the goo and then wipe it down. More Hoppes and then go after the hard to get to places, use a toothpick to get the crud out of the tight places being careful not to leave any scratches (wood should not harm the metal).

Looking at the wood, one side looks good and the other looks dirty. Did it spend years hanging on a wall with one side protected? You can use a soft cloth and furniture wood cleaner, like Murphy's Soap, to clean it up. Whatever you use, make sure its mild and don't get too aggressive; just remove the dirt & grime and not the original finish.

If you search this forum for threads on cleaning up a gun you will find several with more information. Try a search for "hoppes" or "soap" and you will find good information I am sure.

[Dean Romig]

I used Murphy's on a gun a few years ago and I didn't like the result... maybe I didn't use it properly, but I haven't used it since.

[Charles Lorenz]

Thanks for all the ideas. As long as I been around 30 years the gun spent it's time in a gun safe.

[allen newell]

Don't touch it yourself unless you've done this before and are completely confident. Follow Dean's advice and have it professionally disassembled and cleaned by a professional. Brad Bachelder in Grand Rapids comes to mind and there are others. Members of this Forum may suggest others. It's too nice a gun not to have it professionally made ready for shooting. Also and in the future, you need to store this gun in a low humidity environment. The wood looks vey dark which might indicate it is oil soaked. This should be evaluated as well.

[Charles Lorenz]

Thank you I do not plan on trying to work on it myself now that I have done more resurch. I will try and contact someone to get some info about cleaning up and getting the gun ready to shoot. I am just not so sure about shipping the gun. ( never shipped one before). The gun is stored and has been stored with all my other guns in a temp and humidity controlled room. Thanks again for all the advice I am new to the older guns.
Charles

[Charles Lorenz]

Also I hate to ask but am having problems finding out what the gun might be worth. I do not plan on selling it but would like to up my insurance to cover the gun. Thanks for any help.

[Brian Dudley]

If you want to have a rough number for insurance. Use $5,000 as a value.
Obviously an actual retail number would be based on close evaluation of the gun and it's condition.

[Charles Lorenz]

Thank you.

[Mills Morrison]

That is a great gun . . . and a family heirloom to boot! You don't see that every day. You can surf around here and get some names of the good gunsmiths to use. Make sure you use someone who specializes in vintage guns like yours.

[Charles Lorenz]

It is really cool being able to find out all this info about the gun. I can't wait till I am able to join and save up for a letter. No one is sure in the family if my great grandfather was the one who bought the gun from the factory. When talking with family they don't think he is because for the most part he was poor. I will let everyone that is fallowing know when I find out.

[Dean Romig]

This is not meant as an endorsement nor to exclude any of the fine gunsmiths who work on Parkers, but from personal experience and the experience of others I am in communication with, I will say that Brad Bachelder has a great deal of experience with high grade Parker hammer guns such as yours.

[Charles Lorenz]

Thank you for the advice I really don't know anyone who knows how to work on the older guns. I would much rather get a recommendation then just guess.
Charles