1903 Parker Info

[Joseph Gallo]

Hi folks, I am new to this forum. I have a small shop in Northern New Jersey. This week I got a nice looking Parker Brothers side by side. The serial number puts it in the 1903 range. Here is my question... The serial number on the barrel does not match the serial number for the receiver. Is this common and does it affect the value? Any input would be appreciated. I have a boat load of pictures if that helps

Joe G.

[CraigThompson]

#127,370 was 1904 . What’s the number on the barrels ? IMHO if the number on the barrels doesn’t match the number on the water table it detracts from the value .

[CraigThompson]

Just saw the barrel numbers . Thats 1907 I believe .

[Joseph Gallo]

Thanks. I cringe anytime I get a Parker in for resale. They are the hardest things to identify properly. Gets to be a little sticky sometimes when it's a consignment like this one is. Always want to do the best for the customer as well as the buyer. Not easy being the monkey in the middle. haha

[Harry Collins]

The serial number on the frame indicates a GH with 28" Damascus barrels and capped pistol grip. The barrels on the gun now are 28" Vulcan Steel if serial number 148395.

[Dean Romig]

You would do well to get a research letter on the serial number on the frame. It may have been sent back to Parker Bros. To have the Damascus barrels replaced with fluid steel barrels. The ammo companies and gun manufacturers put a big scare into a lot of folks when nitro powders first came out, saying that Damascus barrels were unsafe to shoot with the same loading recipes used for BP and bulk smokeless. Vulcan Steel barrels were the least expensive replacement barrels.

They may not have been factory replacements on yours but if they were, your gun will retain it’s value.

The stock however, is a non-factory replacement and that sheds a questionable light on the barrels being a factory replacement.




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[Brian Dudley]

Well, the mismatched numbers were your first clue to a discrepancy. The poor fitment of the barrels would be the next clue.

The barrels are from another gun. The barrels are VH grade, the gun is a GH grade. It diminishes the value greatly.

[Dean Romig]

Those barrel flats have some pretty odd stamps for 143XXX serial number range....






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[Mark Ray]

pretty light barrels for a 1 1/2 frame...and marked Skeet and Skeet..I think the extra marks are from the gunsmith that fitted the barrels to the gun....probably cut the chokes skeet and skeet at the same time...It also looks like the stock may be straight wristed with a short original tang....? cant tell for sure....a letter on the barrels might tell more of the story as well.

[Joseph Gallo]

More bad news... Lol. Thank you!

[Bill Holcombe]

Just out of curiosity what does the top rib matting say?

I imagine it says Vulcan steel, but curious all the same.

[Mark Ray]

More bad news... Lol. Thank you!

Sure didn't mean any bad new! The worst of the bad news is the barrels aren't original....so now instead you might have a very useful custom Parker.. At least they are parker barrels, and the restock looks sound at the wrist. Are the barrels still the original 28" in length", as the serialization book indicates?

[Rich Anderson]

If Parker had replaced Damascus barrels with fluid steel one I'd think they would number the barrels to match the frame.

[Brian Dudley]

Yes Mark. I did not notice that at first as I was focusing on the barrels. The gun has also been restocked. At very least converted to straight grip from pistol grip and recheckered. But I say a complete restock because of how full the wood is around the action and upper tang of the frame.

[Brian Dudley]

If Parker had replaced Damascus barrels with fluid steel one I'd think they would number the barrels to match the frame.



And they would fit correctly.

[Harry Collins]

I have a GH 12 gauge that came with Damascus barrels, but now sports Vulcan steel barrels factory numbered to the gun.

[Joseph Gallo]

Just out of curiosity what does the top rib matting say?

I imagine it says Vulcan steel, but curious all the same.
Parker Brothers Makers, Meridian Ct, Vulcan Steele

[Mark Ray]

well....to make this gun even more interesting....it looks to me like it either has a SSBP, or a SBP...

[Joseph Gallo]

Sure didn't mean any bad new! The worst of the bad news is the barrels aren't original....so now instead you might have a very useful custom Parker.. At least they are parker barrels, and the restock looks sound at the wrist. Are the barrels still the original 28" in length", as the serialization book indicates?
I believe they are 28 in still. I'm not in the shop to measure them at the moment. The owner of the gun said he has been using it since he is a kid and he is 60 years old.

[Joseph Gallo]

That was all very good information fellas. Thank you all for your input. Thinking I'll throw it up on GunBroker at 999 and see where (or if) it goes. Thank God for forums.

[edgarspencer]

I guess at this point, no one will care that the Fore end wood isn't Parker either.

[Joseph Gallo]

You have a point there my friend....

[Dean Romig]

If Parker had replaced Damascus barrels with fluid steel one I'd think they would number the barrels to match the frame.


Yup Rich - I overlooked that very significant indicator in my earlier post. Parker Bros. would absolutely have numbered replacement barrels to the gun's full serial number located on the frame's water table.






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[Joseph Gallo]

Bottom line is it's just another beater.

[Brian Dudley]

A shooter, yes.

[Mark Ray]

Joseph,

It is killing me wondering what the butt treatment is.....can you show us that?

[Joseph Gallo]

Joseph,

It is killing me wondering what the butt treatment is.....can you show us that?

That is very strange. I'm going to take a very close look at that when I get into my shop tomorrow. We got snowed out today. I'll let you know what I find