Just got my first Parker

[Russell Schilb]

I've always wanted a Parker and was fortunate to get one at an auction recently. I've never done much research on them until getting this one, and I thought this would be a great place to find out a little more about my new old shotgun. It's a 16 gauge with 28" barrels. It appears to be in pretty good condition. Everything is tight and I can't find any nicks or dents anywhere. The bore is clean as a whistle. Also, this seems to be a very light weight 16 gauge. Thanks in advance for any info.

[Bill Holcombe]

Welcome to the forum. It's a blast getting that first Parker. I know next to nothing about the Hammer guns, but others who know more will be along shortly I am soon. It looks like a nice Grade 2 I believe.

[Rick Losey]

wow

what a first Parker

graded 16 on an 0 frame with lighting cuts-


if were April 1st i would think think is a prank


great find

[Brian Dudley]

16g hammer guns on 0 frames (lightweight) are scarce.

Your gun is a grade 2. Also known as a G grade.

It has been completely refinished at some time (barrels, case color and wood). The wood is original to the gun, but the finish and checkering are not.

[Garry L Gordon]

Your new Parker looks like a very, very nice one. You've already gotten some ID information. What does it weigh? You should consider getting a letter. 16 hammer guns are about as good as it gets.

[Russell Schilb]

I just weighed it and it is 6 pounds and 6 ounces. Does the refinishing and redone checkering devalue the shotgun significantly? And, how do I go about getting a letter?

[Brian Dudley]

Does the refinishing and redone checkering devalue the shotgun significantly?


Though a few things are left wanting on your gun, overall the restoration work is not that bad.
The general rule of thumb is that a completely restored gun (properly restored) will be valued at half what a perfect original gun would be. But the market determines that in the end.

Info on letters can be had on our homepage.

[Garry L Gordon]

Check some of the better dealers that carry Parkers. You'll find restored Parkers and the prices they are asking. Of course, these are not the prices paid, and we likely will not know those. Don't be confused by the suggested price from someone who knows Parkers but really does not know what the restored guns are going for. This is a complex matter.

I would suggest that you not think of how much your gun is worth (unless you bought it to sell, in which case it's late for valuing it). The merit of your gun is not what someone who doesn't want it says it's worth if you like your gun and feel ok about its value to you.

Enjoy your gun! Don't worry about what someone says it's worth if you plan to keep and shoot it.

[Garry L Gordon]

BTW, that is a nice, lightweight 16 hammer gun. Most, even "0" frame guns, weigh much more that this. It would be good to have the barrels checked. Lots of weight can be cut out in lapping the barrels.

[Russell Schilb]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to take it to a smith and get it checked out. I'd love to use this gun. This gun is not leaving the family. I'm an old retired guy and was just curious about the value, because I feel like I got it really cheap. 700 bucks.

[Garry L Gordon]

You have a very nice 16 and should feel good about what you paid for it. Take care of it, and send us all some pictures of the game you shoot with it (or if you are into clays, some pics for that). I have two grade 2 16s, none as light as yours, but both on the "0" frame. They are a delight to shoot.

[Todd Poer]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to take it to a smith and get it checked out. I'd love to use this gun. This gun is not leaving the family. I'm an old retired guy and was just curious about the value, because I feel like I got it really cheap. 700 bucks.

That sounds like a respectable reasonable price to me as buyer/shooter. Sounds like you bought it right. I have seen some others in worse shape go for more than that. Like someone said earlier their are bunch of rabbit ear guys here that will weigh in. Definitely though want to shoot low pressure loads through that gun if it checks out like RST. I think if your not used to hammer guns there is a dedicated thread to hammer guns on the site and you can learn a bunch about it just reading the banter on the thread. Some real knowledgeable people that know their stuff and willing to help on this site.

[Russell Schilb]

Are there any records that show how many 16 gauge 0 frames hammer guns were made?

[Dean Romig]

Yes there are records that show those numbers but to the best of my knowledge they can only be found in the Grades section of The Parker Story.

$700 is outrageously cheap!! That would make me really gun-shy (to coin a phrase) and I would worry a LOT about what's wrong with the gun..... like unsafe barrels.....

I recommend that you DO NOT shoot it until the barrel walls are properly measured.

The refinish looks like a decent job and it only INcreased the value of the gun, judging by the extreme wear to the buttplate - I'm pretty certain the gun was in pretty poor condition.

Sorry to rain on your parade (I love lightened 0-frame 16 hammer guns as much as anybody - I've had six or seven of them and still have four) but you need to know the truth.






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[Brian Dudley]

And, the tables (based on records) do not go into frame sizes.

[Russell Schilb]

Thanks for the info. Really don’t care about the value. I’m just excited about an old Parker. I am taking it to a reputable gunsmith to get it checked out. If it passes, I will be hunting with it. My grandfather had one, but was regretfully stolen many years ago. This one is here to stay.

[Dean Romig]

Mr Schilb - just on the off chance you may not know... The barrel wall thickness needs to be measured fully around each tube and for it's entire length.
The most critical areas are at the forward end of the chamber where the forcing cone begins and for at least 12" - 15" forward of that.
Also of concern is the forward half of the barrels ( keeping in mind that the rear half of the barrels absolutely need sufficient thickness - far greater than the front half) where the minimum thickness should be .025" or thicker. Some folks are comfortable with a bit less but I would never advise less than .025"

I say all this because not all "reputable gunsmiths" know how to properly measure antique shotgun barrel walls.

Please get back to us with the measurements your smith comes up with. We can give good advice based on his accurate measurements.

Regards, Dean






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[Russell Schilb]

I will, Dean. Thanks.

[Michael Meeks]

You should consider a membership to PGCA. It will save you some money on a letter for your gun and there are many other benefits. You would get a lot of enjoyment and additional knowledge from the accompanying subscription to Parker Pages.

[Russell Schilb]

Nothing like Coronavirus to help me to do things on my "to do" list. I did take everyone's advise and joined. And, I did get the letter on my old shotgun, which was very informative. It was as follows:

Dear Mr. Schilb,

Parker shotgun, serial number 43607, was ordered by Hart & Co. of Louisville, KY on June 9, 1884 and shipped on October 18, 1884. According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 16, it was a Quality G, Top Action Hammer gun, 16-gauge. It featured Damascus steel barrels with a length of 28 inches.

Price was $80.00 plus $15 for a 16 bore gun.

According to Parker Bros. Stock Book No. 16, the stock configuration was a capped pistol grip and its specifications were: Length of Pull: 14-1/4, Weight: 7 pounds and 2 ounces.

According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 30, the gun was returned on September 29, 1891 by E.G. Sebree of Hendersonville, KY to install a new butt plate, clean and reblue barrels, and tighten up the action for a price of $8.50.

It's pretty cool finding the history out about this gun. Owned by a Kentucky Colonel who was a Railroad Baron who even has a town named after him. Quite the history!

[Garry L Gordon]

You've got some interesting history for that gun. Thanks for following up and sharing the research letter's info.

[Joe Dreisch]

How did the barrels check out? Are they safe and, if so, are you shooting the gun?

[Chris Robenalt]

Would like to say welcome and very pretty shooter! Most of mine aren't that pretty, but they are all original. I usually look at the bores, and look for an unaltered tight action. Make sure your barrels are on face. Then I check the wood for cracks. If all looks to be sound, then I shoot em! You should consider the next step, and join the PGCA. Lots of camaraderie, and people ready to help with all or any questions you have. It's a great move if you join. What's your next Parker?
Chris
Tempe, AZ

[Russell Schilb]

Embarrassingly, I still haven't got the barrels checked. And, consequently haven't fired her yet. Still on my list of things to do. Even though I'm an old retired guy, I stay really busy helping my son. He has an antique gun business. He has probably 30 or 40 old Parkers that I salivate at every time I go to his shop. I will post again after getting everything checked out, and maybe some good quail pictures!

[Russell Schilb]

I have been a member, Chris. I must have just let it lapse. I'll renew and get caught back up on things. When I got the gun, it stated that it had been professionally refinished, but at the time I didn't find out by whom. From everything I've read, it's pretty hard to get who did it without the previous owners name, which I don't have. And yes, I will be shooting her soon.

[Dean Romig]

Embarrassingly, I still haven't got the barrels checked. And, consequently haven't fired her yet. Still on my list of things to do. Even though I'm an old retired guy, I stay really busy helping my son. He has an antique gun business. He has probably 30 or 40 old Parkers that I salivate at every time I go to his shop. I will post again after getting everything checked out, and maybe some good quail pictures!

Being in the old gun business your son must have the appropriate measuring tools, no?





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[Rick Losey]

maybe your son should also get a membership and post the ones for sale

[Russell Schilb]

He does, Dean. But, he does very little repair. Next time I'm up at his store I'll take the gun with me and measure it myself. But, I'll still have it checked professionally. I might just bring another one home with me when I go. He's got a lettered one owned by Andrew Hallidie from San Francisco. Lots of history there.

[Alfred Greeson]

Wow! Great gun. You are in good company here when you speak of old retired guys, lots of us hanging around and Parkers are a great hobby, whether you have one or a dozen. I still have a lot to learn but to other members, are the lightning cuts on the frame not rare on an 0 frame? The 16's built on the 0 frame, which is normally a 20 gauge frame, are sought after and a joy to carry and shoot. Enjoying your find, we have very knowledgable members who are great to offer advice and their knowledge, well worth the cost of membership which you will continue to enjoy. Honestly, start shooting a Parker and you will probably find that you have found your new best gun!