Wall Hanger

[todd allen]

I have had this very interesting old gun hanging around for a few years now.
Serial number 18726 - 1880 vintage, 12 gauge, 26 1/4" bbls ? (cut?) No. 2 frame size.
Significantly off face, but all original parts are there. btw, the brown stuff on some of the metal parts is old varnish, not rust, obviously applied by some ancient handyman.
Can someone help me with grade, and original bbl length?
I am tempted to tighten it up enough to make it a shooter. Thoughts?
Here are some pics.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/luckydogx2/P1080190.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/luckydogx2/P1080191.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/luckydogx2/P1080193.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/luckydogx2/P1080198.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/luckydogx2/P1080197.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/luckydogx2/P1080196.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/luckydogx2/P1080195.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/luckydogx2/P1080194.jpg

[Dave Suponski]

Todd,According to "The Book" the barrels left the factory at 28"

[todd allen]

Thanks, Dave. Apparently the bbl shortening was done by someone who knew what they were doing, based on the bbl rib keels, and bead installation.
There appears to be more than enough bbl wall thickness to tempt me into making this thing go bang again. Then again, it looks great on the wall.

[Dave Suponski]

Todd, Barrel keels are a couple's inch's long so there is a little bit left there. Before you consider firing the ol girl I suggest you have the barrel wall thickness checked very thoroughly and have the gun put back on face for starters.

[todd allen]

Dave, did you happen to see in the book what grade it is?
I'm guessing an "0" grade, due to the Plain Twist bbls.

[Dave Suponski]

Ya.. Todd it's an O Grade gun with a pistol grip stock.

[Richard Flanders]

I thought the 0-grades didn't have that much sideplate engraving. My top lever doesn't. Is this a 1-grade??

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Todd, It appears to be a "friday" gun the engraver did not want to start a new project and spent a little more time on the screw area, I have an O grade that looks like it. Regards Gary

[calvin humburg]

As do I 22266. I thought mine my be a 1 grade by the pictures an grades thanks for the info Hammer gun.

[Austin W Hogan]

I went to the Barre VT gun show in January, 1997. As I was walking across the lot, I saw a distinguished Parker collector entering the building. I saw him turning right in the auditorium as I was purchasing my ticket. I entered the auditorium and saw him half way to the far right aisle; I also saw two Parker lifters on a rack on the corner table. I was a half step behind him when he picked up the 5 grade; I wound up with 18122. Both of these guns have a yellow brown color. The seller indicated he had acquired these when an old hotel was being remodeled, and the two smoke stained guns that had hung over the bar for 90 years were sold.
Look at the "engraving" on your gun with a magnifying glass; it is probably not engraved but roll marked as mine is. Mine also rattles from a loose barrel fit when shaken. I have found some similar guns in the 18 - 22000 serial range. One has had the roll mark engraving chased to appear hand cut; another has a grade two engraved circle on the frame containing either a winged rabbit or a fur footed bird; another has the roll mark engraving and a damascus barrel; perhaps it is a D1 or a D0. I think I mentioned several of these in the DGJ article on grade 2 evolution.
It is interesting that a similarly yellowed roll marked gun has surfaced; do you know the area where it was found?

Best, Austin

[calvin humburg]

I bet mine is roll marked also its the same as above gun lock plate. Interesting stuff Austin. ch

[Dean Romig]

Interestingly there have been a few lower grade hammer guns where the original game species in the engraved circle on the bottom of the frame have been reengraved to depict either a different game species or scroll design possibly with a beak or feet or something else to 'raise an eyebrow' when looking closely at it.

[todd allen]

It is interesting that a similarly yellowed roll marked gun has surfaced; do you know the area where it was found?

Best, Austin

If this question is for me, I don't know much about this gun. I picked it up on some sort of horse-trade at Beinfeld's.