parker 8 gauge

[david delahoussaye]

hi I'm new to the forum my reason for joining is that i was given a parker s/s 8g about a year ago. so far its just been sitting in the safe, until the other day i pulled it out and realized that it wasn't a 10g as i thought but it was a 8g. my curiosity got the best of me as I've never seen a 8g before. i am not much of a antique gun collector although i do hunt waterfowl. i would like to know what you guys think of the gun if it is anymore than a wall hanger. if maybe it could be restored or worth it. i have attached some pictures sorry they are not the best. any info would help thank you.

http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/urbanattic13dld9013/slideshow/

[Eldon Goddard]

Looks like a 6 frame grade 0 hammer gun. The book says it should have 34'' barrels. It looks in somewhat rough shape but since it is an 8 gauge it is definitely worth restoring in my opinion. She is a beauty, especially to those of us who love the old 8 gauges. What does she weigh?

[david delahoussaye]

the barrel is 32'' and it weigh's 11.5 lbs. i appreciate the help thank you

[Dean Romig]

Rode hard and put away wet.

It all depends on the condition of the barrels... especially the bores.

In case you were not aware - 8 gauge guns are not legal for use on waterfowl.

[Robin Lewis]

Great candidate for a full restoration. It is not a high grade BUT its an 8ga and 8ga guns have the smallest production numbers. I think you would get your investment returned.

[Brian Dudley]

Oh if we all could be given a Parker 8 ga.

[david delahoussaye]

i wasn't planning on using it to hunt. i live in the san francisco bay area do any of you guys know of someone around this area that i could take it to for an estimate on what it would cost. the only gun smith i new closed a few years back. thanks for the help

[Rick Losey]

with an unusual gun like this one, you are much better of with someone who really knows double guns and specifically Parkers. You won't find another 8 gauge floating around for a second chance

also - what level of restoration is right for this one.

Brian knows Parkers, as does Brad Bachelder and some others, Doug Turnball for example.

talk to one or two of them before deciding where to take it.

[Dean Romig]

with an unusual gun like this one, you are much better of with someone who really knows double guns and specifically Parkers. You won't find another 8 gauge floating around for a second chance

also - what level of restoration is right for this one.

Brian knows Parkers, as does Brad Bachelder and some others, Doug Turnball for example.

talk to All of them before deciding where to take it.

With one minor change.

Depending on the condition of the barrels - it could be a wall-hanger or it could be an investment. Get good advice from the best in the business.

An 8 gauge Parker is a valuable gun and with a proper restoration, could be a very sound investment.

[Bill Murphy]

The 32" barrel length does not agree with the Parker Brothers records. To confirm that you have an original 32" gun and not a cut 34" gun, post a picture which clearly shows the top of the rib at the front sight. An original gun would have a short blank space at the end of the rib matting. In most cases, the absence of this blank space is a sign of a cut barrel. Step one in a restoration is to order a PGCA letter on your gun so you can determine whether it has an interesting ownership provenance, and also if Parker Brothers may have created the 32" barrel length.

[david delahoussaye]

here are some pictures. it looks like it was cut.


http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/urbanattic13dld9013/slideshow/

[Dean Romig]

Affirmative on those barrels being cut... and it was not done in Meriden either.

[david delahoussaye]

so would it just be considered a wall hanger since it was cut? does it hold any value as it sits now?

[Dean Romig]

No. It depends on the condition of the bores and exterior pitting of the barrels as well as any dents to the barrels. The barrels are almost 'everything' as far as the value of your gun is concerned. We can see most of the rest of the gun and it appears salvageable.... but the barrels will determine how far you should go if you plan to have it restored.

[Mills Morrison]

My experience has been old Parker barrels can take a good bit of pitting before becoming unsafe. Of course, the two such barrels I am thinking of were checked over thoroughly by good gunsmiths before that determination was made.

[Bill Murphy]

Your gun still has plenty of value as a shooter with the cut barrels. It probably still has a bit of choke, not that you need much. My favorite 8 gauge is bored cylinder and cylinder and is a very nice shooting gun.

[John Taddeo]

Is there pictures of the rest of the gun.. I cant bring them up...

[Bill Murphy]

Photobucket link at end of first post.

[david delahoussaye]

if you click on the link again you should be able to see them sorry i didn't realize i deleted them.

thanks for all your guys comments and help. restoring it myself may be out of my range, so i might need to find it a new home with someone that is willing to spend the money to bring it back to life.

[Mills Morrison]

If you want to sell your gun, you can join the PGCA for $40 and there is a for sale section in the members only area. As for value, it is hard to say, but you will easily get the $40 investment back

[david delahoussaye]

ok thanks just checked it out. do i need to fill out the application or just pay the $40. one thing said pay the $40 for new member but i noticed a application link below that.

[Mills Morrison]

John Dunkle or Mary Bowes should be able to help you out on that.

[charlie cleveland]

i m glad to see another old 8 ga turn up..she s a beauty for sure ......sad about the barrels being cut but heh 32 inch is still a long barrel...charlie

[Bill Murphy]

In my experience, a #6 frame eight gauge hammer gun would be very unusual. Most are #7 and a few #5 lightweights. We can tell whether your gun is a true #6 frame if you will take a very accurate measurement of the distance between the centers of the firing pin holes and post here.

[Bill Zachow]

Bill, in my experience, 6 frames are more common than 7 frames. For a number of years, I kept track of all the 8 gauges I came in contact with. Over that time period and covering about 40 guns (roughly 10 percent of total production), 6 frames were 3 times as common as the 7s.

[Bill Zachow]

Forgot to mention that my hammer 8 is a 6 frame, one of 4 consecutive serialed guns that went to California in 1892. My hammerless PH is also a 6 frame. I once owned a hammerless DH 8 that was also on a 6 frame. And finally, I once owned an early lifter 8, and that one was on a 5 frame.

[charlie cleveland]

bill you certainly owned your share of differant frame sizes in 8 ga s..i too kept up with the 8 gas that i run across on the net and auction sites..most of the frames i came across were 7 frames a few 6 frames but never a 5 frame..would have liked to have seen that 5 frame for sure.the 2 old parker 8 ga s i have are 7 frames hope to add a 6 frame shortly...charlie

[Bill Zachow]

Good luck with your quest, Charlie. I don't think you will have a hard time finding the 6 frame. Just make sure you have lots of $$$. Those 8 gauges have really gotten expensive, as have all Parkers. The 5 frame gun will be almost impossible. Bill

[Bill Murphy]

Bill Z., I was referring only to hammer guns. All hammerless guns I have seen have been #6 frame, but, conversely, all hammer guns I have seen have been #5 or #7. A D Grade #5 frame 8 gauge hammer gun sold locally not long ago.

[Mills Morrison]

Mine is a 6 frame. It is a GH hammerless.