Top level hammer gun opportunity

[Bill Graham]

Just getting into Parker's with a broken down VH. There's a top level hammer gun I found, but I'm very ignorant about them, even to the point of not knowing if they were ever faked.

Would someone be willing to share some insight on these images (the best I could manage at this time)?

[Jim DiSpagno]

That is NOT a Parker Brothers hammer shotgun. From the hammer configuration and the shape of the dolls head extension, appears to be a European, possibly Belgian made guild gun. Many of these said Parker on them to take advantage of name recognition in the US gun market. Value is considerably less than Parker Brothers of Meridan Ct. made guns.

[Bill Graham]

One of the other images (blurry) reads "Parker" on the side plate. The barrel rib images could not be read.

Glad I asked here. I was going to make a drive to take a look. Won't be bothering now.

Thank you!

[Jim DiSpagno]

Bill, get a copy of the Parker story or at least the Serialization book to use as a reference point or if in a pinch, refer to this web site under the title of "the grades" and peruse the pictures. Good luck. I have a very nice and collectible hsmmergun here on this site. Pm me or call me at 1-917-763-1797 if you're interested. Jim

[Rick Losey]

the cartoonish engraving makes me think Belgium

proof marks would tell

but it is not always true to say Parker (non Parker Bros) guns are fakes. there was a Parker family in England that made guns for a couple generations- of good quality - honestly using their name - Thomas and Charles come to mind

[Bill Graham]

I have a very nice and collectible hsmmergun here on this site. Pm me or call me at 1-917-763-1797 if you're interested. Jim
Thanks Jim. My means wouldn't afford a nice Parker. I'd worked out trading a Chinese SKS and an old police riot pump for this one. Were it a Parker that would have been a good trade, but the deal's off now.

I will try to get some new images of the cartouche marks to see if it's something to tinker with for little $.

[Chuck Bishop]

Got to admit, the bird is looking back!

[Bill Graham]

Got to admit, the bird is looking back!
Is that a good thing?

[Rick Losey]

Bill

That is just a humorous comment on a recent thread about a period when Parker Brothers hammer gun wore birds looking over their shoulders

[Bill Graham]

I think that's great! Sounds like a fun thread. Oh no, it's a Parker!

[Drew Hause]

Another with Belgian proofmarks

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/20091267/405800111.jpg

The Perron should be on both the action and barrel flats

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/17575181/285985471.jpg

“Parkers” made in Belgium including Parker-Smith-Williams, T. Parker, Thomas Parker (possibly by Pieper), and C. Parker & Co.,
T. Parker New York were made by Crescent,
E.D. Parker shotguns with English proofmarks were listed in the 1895 Clabrough & Golcher catalog,
William Parker was a gunmaker from 1790 until 1840 and one of the forerunners of Parker, Field & Sons, High Holborn, London, 1841-1876,
The lowest grade guns marketed by P. Webley were sold under the name of Thomas Parker, London c. 1900-1920

http://parkerguns.org/pages/faq/IsMyGunParker.htm