Hammers

[John Truitt]

Guys this may have been discussed before. If so I am not aware so forgive me.

On several low grade and high grade guns there is a channel engraved/ sculpted into the bottom of the hammers. I cannot find a rhyme or reason. Appears to be early guns but not isolated to any grade.

I find it to be a very attractive feature.

Any info would be great.

[Dean Romig]

John Sir, are you referring to the circumferential groove? If so, I believe it serves no function but is entirely done for aesthetics. I too, like it very much. I have one or two guns with such hammers.




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[John Truitt]

Yes Sir that is it.

Very attractive to my eye.

Some have it and some don't. Seems to be more common to early guns. Just wondering when they stopped/ ceased doing it.

Was it an upgrade option or standard?

[Dean Romig]

Or higher/highest grades? Here's an A-Grade from the Annual Meeting a few years ago. I don't remember whose gun it is but it is truly an amazing Parker.

I love that little spur too! I think this style of hammer is the epitome of Parker hammers.




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[Brian Dudley]

Usually seen on lifters. I personally have not seen any on a top action gun.

[Austin J Hawthorne Jr.]

John,
If you are trying to identify a time span for this feature, I have a 10 ga. Grade 2 underlifter with the groove that dates to 1875

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

John, Hammer guns are special, hammerless guns are great too! but I just like those old hammer guns so much detail in some of the engraving, I have guns that I handle every day and see something unique I missed the last time I held the gun. Just my opinion, course opinions are like some other things every bodies got one! Gary

[davidkerns]

I have seen the same thing on the hammers , it looks like a grinder mark.
I am trying to assemble a grade 2 top lever hammer gun 12 ga and need complete lock and hammer for the right side , and a hammer and the hammer screw for the left side , I also need the wood screw for the triggerguard and front screw for the trigger guard , I can use the internal parts from a lifter , I am told. I am also told 10 ga and 12 ga interchange.
If anyone can assist please let me know.

The photos of this gun are top shelf as is the gun.
thanks Dave

[Brian Dudley]

Lifters have some lock components that are different from Top action guns. Namely the sears and sear springs.

[davidkerns]

thanks for the info , so I wont look for lifter locks , will the hammers work?? will any lifter internal parts be interchangeable?? thanks Dave

[Brian Dudley]

The hammers from a lifter will work on a top action, but they are different from a style standpoint.

Very few other parts interchange in the frames themselves from one style to the other.