Parker Trojan SN 165230

[John Stickney]

I have a Parker Trojan SN 165230, 20ga, 28" barrels. Can anyone supply any additional information? The Photo Link (https://smile.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/u2pUexHaaheu3wA4IKppw4UdUcH1FkKsq2swRn1CUYQ) has all the markings I could find on the shotgun for reference.


Thanks!

[Garry L Gordon]

Looks like an earlier gun with the rib extension.

[Rick Losey]

what else would you like to know?

there are surviving records for a letter, but details on the Trojan grade might be limited

[John Stickney]

This firearm has been in our family for a long time and I have no desire to part with it. I'm curious as to its value for insurance reasons and was a little confused about the Grade of the shotgun because the markings on the receiver did not match anything I saw on this web site. Also, on the receiver it was accidentally double stamped with "Parker Brothers" and some other text and I didn't know if that would increase its value since that would be a unique feature...kind of like double stamped coins.

[Brian Dudley]

If you want insurance value, the blue book is good for that.

[Garry L Gordon]

John, I'm not sure I understand the reference to double stamping, but your gun looks like a sound, well used trojan -- and an early one. Except for the rib extension, I did not see anything extraordinary or especially unique, but it looks like the screws are good and generally timed, and that the finish -- well worn -- appears original. It's looks like a nice gun, and since it's a 20 gauge, more desirable. I'd sure advise membership as the next step for you...and then get a letter on the gun if you want something to support an insurance policy. If you check the various double gun sales websites -- I'd recommend "guns international" as a good place to start -- you can begin to see what people are asking for Parker's lowest grade gun in similar condition. There are still lots of things about your gun that can only be determined with the gun in hand.

It's a very nice gun, and a family heirloom. Enjoy it!

[John Stickney]

John, I'm not sure I understand the reference to double stamping....

https://smile.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/NCbeyIjxSVlnVRlKW0FFr1P8rjNogdUSekqmQRFJwyw

In IMG_3057.jpg (https://smile.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/NCbeyIjxSVlnVRlKW0FFr1P8rjNogdUSekqmQRFJwyw) if you zoom in on the receiver near the bottom of the photo you can see where they stamped "PARKER BROTHERS" and it is like they hit it once, slipped, then hit it again. I tried to link the image above, hope it worked.

[Garry L Gordon]

https://smile.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/NCbeyIjxSVlnVRlKW0FFr1P8rjNogdUSekqmQRFJwyw

In IMG_3057.jpg (https://smile.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/NCbeyIjxSVlnVRlKW0FFr1P8rjNogdUSekqmQRFJwyw) if you zoom in on the receiver near the bottom of the photo you can see where they stamped "PARKER BROTHERS" and it is like they hit it once, slipped, then hit it again. I tried to link the image above, hope it worked.

John, I think I see it, but it is barely discernible to me. I don't recall that any such stamping was more highly valued, but I'd leave that to those with more expertise than I. Again, it looks to be sound and original -- as much as one can tell from photos -- and not anything unusual or unique relative to collector value. If you can get some reliable barrel measurements for the chambers, bore and minimal wall thickness at various points, it could be suggestive of the originality of your gun. Since it's been in your family, it's likely all original, unless of course a previous family member took it to the local gunsmith to have the chambers and forcing cones lengthened or the barrels lopped off to open the chokes (all of which would devalue the gun somewhat). With American guns, "pure" collectors value originality and condition above all, unless there is some unique provenance to the gun. Shooter-collectors, and you will find many here, like to be able to shoot their Parkers and not hurt the condition of them in doing so.

I sure like the pictures you posted and would enjoy shooting a nice, well kept trojan 20 such as that family gun of yours. Thanks for posting the pictures.

[Dean Romig]

The double stamp doesn’t affect the gun’s value one way or the other. We’ve seen that often enough before.

It’s a decent Trojan but certainly not high condition - it’s about average.



.

[Mark Ray]

The die just hopped between hammer blows

[John Stickney]

Thanks for the comments. I need to get some better photos using an actual camera instead of my crappy cell phone pics. I guarantee it is in all original condition with matching serial numbers without modifications. I'll have to get the measurements too. I know the history of that shotgun well and know where it sat for 20 years before sitting in my safe the the past 25 years. What I think makes it even better is I know who owned in, have very old photos of it being used, etc. It's the history I can easily document and put with it that makes it valuable to me at least.

On the other side of the family we have a Westley Richards 12ga with external hammers. It was is grossly poor condition and my dad had a family friend recondition it. It was good for wall hanging and now much else, but like the Parker, I think I can trace its origins as well because I'm pretty sure it came to the USA directly from England when my 4th great grandfather returned for a visit.

It's the stories behind these firearms that excites me and the quality of the workmanship required to produce them.


Thanks again!

[todd allen]

Pretty decent Trojan, in a desirable gauge. Not an Inverted Jenny though.

[Garry L Gordon]

John, It's nice to see someone who has had a gun come to him in a fashion such as yours...and who appreciates and values the gun for what it is. A superb piece of craftsmanship, a slice of history, and an efficient tool. I hope you have someone you can leave it to in your family who will honor it like you.