Parker,Meriden Manu. Co. "Gun of 1866", is this one of those? Serial# 188!

[Brian Keating]

Hello,
I would like to inform your association of my resent purchase of Parker shotgun, serial # 188! Very nice original example, not restored or changed as far as I can tell.. There is another # located along side the serial # and that # is 32.. It is 12 gauge, high hammer, "T"-latch, and double barrow!! With my research, it appears to be manufactured in 1867..
I'm no expert, and would like to hear more information on it if possible!! Please educate me!!
Born+raised in Meriden, Ct. and been looking for an affordable Parker for many years--Thanks, BPK!!

[Robin Lewis]

Nice find Brian!

I like the pictures and I would like to ask your permission to use three of them in the T-latch section of the Parker Grades page on this web site. That section doesn't have much in the way of detailed pictures and your close up shots would add to that area. May I copy them?

[Brian Keating]

Yes, please feel free to use any of the pictures posted, thanks for asking, and comment!! Hopefully someone will educate me on this shotgun.. Very proud to own it!! Thanks, Merry Christmas-BPK!!

[Brian Dudley]

That T-latch looks to be in very good overall shape. Way above average.

[David Noble]

That is a survivor for sure!
It appears from the pictures that the extractors are missing. They are long thin square or triangular rods that are held in by the small studs on the barrel flats.
They had an upturn at the chamber that pushed the shells out a bit. They were apparently Parker's first attempt at mechanical extractors and were very rudimentary.
I once owned a T latch gun serial number 70. It still had the extractors but they would fall out easily.
I believe your barrels are decarbonized steel. What length are they?

[Brian Keating]

The length of the barrel appears to be 27.5"!! And, it appears extractors are missing!! Whats the odds of finding a set? Whats that other # (32)refer to? An approx. value would also be helpful! Thanks, BPK!!

[edgarspencer]

BPK, My dad was also born and raised in Meriden. The family had a farm up on Wall St., and my grandfather worked at Parker Brothers. He was not a gun guy, though my dad was. One day when I was pretty small, we were visiting the grandparents (they moved to Wethersfield in 1930) and my dad told me to go upstairs and get a gun that was under his old bed. It was a T Latch just like yours, and I have no doubt it had always been in his family.
I traded it for a 1911 Colt. My dad thought that was smart, but I wish I'd kept the T Latch.

[Brian Dudley]

Finding a set of extractors woild be near impossible. Likely a set woild need to be made. But with these guns, you kind of have to take each one for what it is since they are not something most woild consoder trying to fire again.

The extractors breaking on these guns is VERY common. Since they are so thin with little surface area on the shell rim. The stress of pulling an expanded brass shell out of the chamber causes them to fail.

Your gun may have originally had percussion cap style ignition. And been converted to center fire. Or the firing pins on it could be oriignal. They made them both ways since there were various types of shot shells available at that time.


The fact of the matter is that these guns were only made for about 2-1/2 years and the actual production numbers are unknown, let alone how many are still around today. So any of them are good finds and are a must have for any well rounded Parker collection.

[David Noble]

Brian, I believe finding a set of original extractors would be improbable.
It would not be too difficult to make a set or have them made. As best as I can remember they are square where they bend up into the extractor cuts of the barrel and then filed triangular where they run under the barrels. The short studs in the barrel flats were just swaged over to retain them.
Value? That's subjective. As a general rule these are collector pieces and not shooters.
They are in a sense the Colt Pattersons of Parker sxs's. In an auction like Julia's, a fine example that was presented well and "talked up" could go for a good bit!
I thought I did fairly well when I sold mine about 12 years ago for $1750 but I have regretted selling it ever since.

[charlie cleveland]

david what was the serial no. of the gun you sold....also brian that old 11 ga i bought from you is thisgun i have be close in looks to this early gun shown here...charlie

[Robin Lewis]

Thanks Brian, I placed three of your photos on the web page.

[Robin Lewis]

This a solid looking gun but it sure is dirty. If it were mine, I would get out the Hoppe's #9 and start cleaning the heavy oil buildup away. Then, use some Murphy's Oil Soap to get the grime off the wood.

I want to stress, clean the dirt and grime away but do not change the condition of the gun.... don't polish or buff or scrape. Let the normal accumulation of wear and handling alone, just clean away the dirt.

Any opinions guys, should it be cleaned? If so, are there better ways to approach the job?

That looks like a nice Parker, you have a good find there.

[Brian Keating]

I'll leave it alone!! Like it as she is, and won't be firing it either... I'll leave for the next person to clean or do what ever.. I work on antique motorcycles for my bread+butter, and have learned original is only once!! Thanks, and my pic's look good on the website-glad to help!! One hand washes the other-BPK!!

[David Noble]

david what was the serial no. of the gun you sold......charlie

Charlie, my gun was serial #70. I sold it to a collector named Roger Parker.
I've tried to no avail to get in touch with him to see if he would be willing to sell it back to me. I'm still trying!