1912 Parker Trojan

[Bill Thompson]

I wrote about my 1912 Parker Trojan a while ago, and I never got any real definitive information. So, here it is again.

My 1912 Parker Trojan has two sets of barrels - 26" IC/Mod; 30" Full/Full. Both sets of barrels have matching serial numbers. Chambers are 2-1/2".

When I purchased the shotgun, the butt stock was ruined and worthless. I asked a local gunsmith to install a replacement, and the replacement butt stock is quite functional for my hunting and sporting clays purposes.

The gun is in very nice condition. I do not consider it a collector's item, but the two sets of matching barrels must render some value.

Does anyone have an idea of the value of this gun?

[Mike Franzen]

Hard to say without pics. I know of a Trojan two bbl set with a leg o' mutton case. Both bbls numbered to the gun. Barrels marked 1 and 2. Asking price is $900 if I remember correctly. The gun has some issues though. Post some pics and you will get a better evaluation.

[Dave Noreen]

When the Trojan Grade was introduced, it was only offered with 28- or 30-inch barrels in 12-gauge and 28-inch barrels in 16- and 20-gauge. I don't find 26-inch barrels being offered until the mid-1920s.

[Brian Dudley]

The second set of barrels (26") are likely an addition after the fact. Or maybe a later return to the fsctory for the set. It is unlikely that the gun was ordered as a two barrel set since custom orders on Trojan guns were usually not accepted. But it could have been.

A close study of the serial number stamping along with checking for evidence in the fsctory records (via letter) woild be the only ways to try and confirm one way or another.

Most Trojan 12s in decent shape are worth around $1,000 on the current market. And with the additional barrel set, I would think it to be surely worth that. Just for the shoot ability factor.

[allan.mclane]

When the Trojan Grade was introduced, it was only offered with 28- or 30-inch barrels in 12-gauge and 28-inch barrels in 16- and 20-gauge. I don't find 26-inch barrels being offered until the mid-1920s.

As with all things Parker, there seem to be exceptions and wrinkles to everything. My 16ga Trojan is S/N 186773, 1919 cohort, and has 26" original, uncut barrels. Chuck's letter states that the gun was part of a large order from Norway that was cancelled before delivery. Alas, the stock book with this gun's serial number is missing and its actual delivery date and configuration aren't documented.

[greg conomos]

The local gunsmith-made buttstock probably detracts from the value as much as the barrels add to it.