Earliest Hammerless Fishtail Parker

[Mills Morrison]

I am a fan of early hammerless Parkers and one thing I have observed in my searches is no fishtail toplevers on the really early hammerless guns (say, first two years). I was wondering if fishtails were not used on hammerless Parkers at first, when they were added and why, if that is the case. I have a fishtail in the 71xxx range. Does anybody have one earlier? Does anybody have one in the first two years?

[Dave Suponski]

Mills, I have 68805 with a fishtail.

[Mills Morrison]

I figured there would be some earlier than mine, but has anybody seen one below 60,000 or so?

[Brian Dudley]

Rick Losey... does your DH have a fishtail?

[Rick Losey]

Rick Losey... does your DH have a fishtail?

No. But the PH does. I'll check the number

added

the PH is 70168 -

[Rich Anderson]

70253 Is a bit of an odd duck in the realm of Parker guns. It will show in the serialization book as a GH with no extras. It was sent back to Parker and fitted with SST, BTF with the reinforced lug, ejectors, straight stock even a skeleton butt. She's a Damascus barreled 16ga on an O frame.

[edgarspencer]

The fishtail top lever on a hammerless gun is somewhat of an anachronism. It's a holdover from the hammer gun days, where it's shape permitted opening the gun when the right hammer was cocked. My understanding of it's use on hammerless guns was simply to use up inventory. There is a certain ergonomic feel to it, but I doubt it's as much real as perceived.

[Rick Losey]

ergonomics smergonomics


it just looks cool

:cheers:

[Jim DiSpagno]

66346 &66635 both grade 2 hammerless have fishtail levers

[edgarspencer]

ergonomics smergonomics


it just looks cool

:cheers:

Reminds me of Owen Wilson's nose

[Jim DiSpagno]

LOL. Edgar, you never disappoint

[calvin humburg]

Edgar!

[Michael Moffa]

BH 66,xxx with Fishtail, I have to open the safe to get the rest of the numbers.

[charlie cleveland]

0 grade 8 ga serail no 65142 and o grade 8 ga serial no 65145 both fish tails...charlie

[Daryl Corona]

Mills, DH 70658 w/ fishtail. I wish they all had them

[Mills Morrison]

I always assumed they were used on some hammer less guns from the beginning, but it looks like that was not the case. I know the old story about using up inventory but I wonder why they did not use them from the beginning of hammer less production?

I like them too. For some reason they look better on hammer less Parkers

[Rick Losey]

but I wonder why they did not use them from the beginning of hammer less production?


most likely because they were still making hammer guns as well

using up inventory would not make sense until the original product was either stopped or at least reduced

[PAUL PLUNKETT III]

I have often wondered if it was a left handed thing. Myself being Left handed, I find it easier to operate the top lever. :corn:

[Dennis E. Jones]

From the responses the fishtail lever must have been quite common on early hammerless guns. Mine is a G grade 12 gauge #69848. Now I'm trying to remember if any of my hammer guns have one, I think not, but will have to check.

[Mills Morrison]

Nobody has listed one below 66,000 or so. I don't think they were used on the first hammerless Parkers

[Tad Tadlock]

I own # 61155. It is a Hammerless 10 gauge. It does not have a fishtail.