Need help with my Parker Gun

[Shawn Campbell]

To whomever can help me:

I need help identifying my Parker Gun. Have attached photos, and can take more if necessary. I'm new to this forum.

Whatever help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Shawn

[edgarspencer]

It certainly looks like a VH, but your pictures aren't enlargeable so I can't read the SN on the fore end.

[Shawn Campbell]

Hi Edgar -

Serial # is 119141...and have attached some more photos.

Thank you.

[edgarspencer]

Your serial number is unfortunately not in the serialization book, but I would be confident in saying, that because many around yours are listed, it was omitted in the transcription from the records as many lower grades were. What I am finding interesting is that it appears to have damascus barrels, rather than Vulcan steel barrels one would expect to find on a VH. There are lots of records indicating 'special' orders for an alternative to the standard barrel, and I would suggest you get a PGCA letter on the gun as it may prove to have an interesting provenance. A little hint here, and a shameless plug for the PGCA;
If you join, you will spend less for your membership AND the letter, than if you order the letter as a non-member.

edit:Are all the serial numbers matching? What is the actual inscription on the top rib of the barrel

[Rick Losey]

The first picture clearly shows an oval with a dog

So not a V grade


Shawn. The grade should be on the water table. That is the flat part of the action

A clear picture of that and the flat underside of the barrels would make id'ing it easier

It look to have been well used

[Shawn Campbell]

Hi Edgar -
I will join PGCA and get that letter.
Serial #'s match - 119141
Top of rib barrel says "US Steel"
Inscription on bottom reads: Paid Mar 26, 1873 (or possibly 1878)
Thank you.

[Rick Losey]

Are you sure that is not "Damascus Steel" ?

[edgarspencer]

Rick, my wife and I have our annual eye exam in two weeks. I haven't cleaned my glasses in at least two days, and now, I see the oval. So you're absolutely correct; not a VH, likely a GH.
Shawn, are you really seeing US Steel, or Possibly DamascUS Steel? If it is indeed a GH, also known as a Grade Two, there will be a 2 on the water table (the flat portion on the receiver, just fwd of the breach face)

[Robin Lewis]

Shawn,

On our main web page www.parkerguns.org, on the left side of it is a list that is made up of links to informational pages. Take a look at the one named Technical Information and it will explain the markings on the water table of your gun, that should help you ID your gun. When you think you know what it is, check out the link named Parker Grades and compair your gun to the pictures of other guns of that grade.

[Dean Romig]

I'll toss in my 2 cents here and disagree with both and say it is a GH. The latch has the engraving of a Grade 1 or 2 but not a 3 (or DH). The oval is clearly visible but my first impression was of birds rather than a dog, Damascus barrels would be appropriate for a GH but a PH would have Twist barrels, Further, it has a dog's head butt plate, not a skeleton, and it does not have drop points behind the stock cheeks.

Anyway, that's my opinion.






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[Brian Dudley]

Boy... its pretty bad when a gun is so beat that the grade cannot be easily determined.

It is a GH grade (or grade 2). Check the water table of the frame, it should have a 2 stamped along with the serial number.

[Shawn Campbell]

Hi -
Yes...says Damascus Steel...I was just looking at the photo and it was cut off.
Thank you.

[Robin Lewis]

Why such a negative remark? I don't see the necessity to ridicule someone's Parker.

Boy... its pretty bad when a gun is so beat that the grade cannot be easily determined.

Why didn't you simply say?



It is a GH grade (or grade 2). Check the water table of the frame, it should have a 2 stamped along with the serial number.

[Brian Dudley]

Why such a negative remark? I don't see the necessity to ridicule someone's Parker.



Why didn't you simply say?

Forgive me Robin (and the original poster). My intention was not to ridicule in any way. I was just surprised at the varying responses as to the grade of the gun.

[Paul Ehlers]

Helpful tip to Edgar & others.

To enlarge pictures: Hold down the control key with your cursor over the object you want to enlarge, then use the scroll wheel on your mouse to enlarge or shrink the pictures. When you want to go back to normal size hit the zero "0" key while still holding down the control key.

Works on most web sites including guns international & gun broker. Using this method it was very easy to see the gun is a GH/grade 2.

[calvin humburg]

I agree Robin, thanks. I remember when I was young my dad told me if you don't have anything nice to say keep quite.

[Rick Losey]

actually - for once the phone is handy- its easy to enlarge the pics that way

[edgarspencer]

I'll toss in my 2 cents here and disagree with both and say it is a GH. The latch has the engraving of a Grade 1 or 2 but not a 3 (or DH). The oval is clearly visible but my first impression was of birds rather than a dog, Damascus barrels would be appropriate for a GH but a PH would have Twist barrels, Further, it has a dog's head butt plate, not a skeleton, and it does not have drop points behind the stock cheeks.

Anyway, that's my opinion. .

Earth to Dean, who is "both" ? Not Rick, and I agreed with him that it was not a V grade, saying I thought it was a GH, after cleaning my glasses.
I tried the the control-click, but they wouldn't enlarge.

[Dean Romig]

I was typing that while you were changing your mind.

I also tried the control and use the scroll wheel and ruined the size settings on my PC... Still haven't fixed it even after clicking 'reset to default.'




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[Robin Lewis]

Dean, use the down arrow to make it smaller, that may work?

[edgarspencer]

I was typing that while you were changing your mind.

I'll have to remember that one. Did you learn that from Kathy?

[Dean Romig]

:whistle:






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[Gerald McPherson]

I don't have my glasses on but is that a dogs head butt plate?

[edgarspencer]

I noted that butt treatment also. Even though it's been hunted a lot, and well worn, it's obvious the owner knew just what he wanted, with the steel heel clip and leather surface.

[Dave Noreen]

I think that his the heel portion of a well worn dogs head butt plate with the rest that had been broken away filled in with some leather.

[edgarspencer]

That very well may be right. This whole thread reminds me how badly I need new glasses.

[Shawn Campbell]

There is a "2" stamped above the serial number on the water table, and a "G" stamped below. Does this pretty much confirm that my gun is a GH?

Should I purchase the confirmation letter they offer here? What will it do for me?

What other things can I do to determine the gun's value?

[Rick Losey]

Other than confirm grade and configuration - Barrel length and possibly stock dimensions

It should tell you where the gun was shipped to

For a G. It will likely be a dealer - but you never know

[Ted Hicks]

For my own learning...the forend does not appear to have been checkered. Was this an option for a GH grade?

[Dean Romig]

No, is is worn smooth.





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[Jim Pasman]

Hi Shawn - any "history" on the gun, previous owners, etc.? Looks well used and loved and maybe handed down? :corn:

[Shawn Campbell]

Yes...handed down from my grandfather and has been sitting in my gun cabinet for years. He passed away a long time ago, and nobody else in my family knows anything about the gun. I need to either pass it onto my son at some point or sell it. I'm guessing my situation is typical of many Parker gun owners?

[Jim Pasman]

Yes, if you're lucky enough to have something Parker passed on in the family! It would be great to determine if it's "shootable" and use it. Good luck!

[Dean Romig]

Shawn, if there is even a slight interest you should nurture it.






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