1877 Parker Question

[Tom Poss]

Just picked this 12ga 1877 Parker up at a gun show yesterday--it has a chrome trigger guard, triggers and butt plate--the questions is did the Parker factory offer of produce these type of changes??? Thanks

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[Rick Losey]

no, i really doubt it

[Brian Dudley]

That looks like nickel, not chrome, but sale difference I suppose for sake of argument.

There have been some documented examples of odd parts being plated bu the factory on request. But it is very rare.

Likely yours was NOT factory.

[Steve Huffman]

Try a letter

[Jerry Harlow]

Can't tell by the photos but perhaps silver plated as opposed to chrome? Chrome is a three layer plating with copper, nickel, and chrome. Silver is not. The steel butt plate looks as if it was silver plated and was worn off or flaked off.

[Craig Larter]

I have a Parker D with factory letter documented nickle skeleton butt, so a letter will tell you.

[Bill Murphy]

Tom, I would definitely order a PGCA letter on that gun.

[Paul Ehlers]

I'm in the silver plating camp.

The finish looks very similar to silver plated utensils. I imagine it would have been fairly easy to send the parts over to the factory that made utensils to have them plated on a customers request. After all Parker was in both businesses and both factories were in the same town.

A letter would be interesting for sure.

[Dean Romig]

The Charles Parker Company had a few financial connections with silver and silver plating companies in Meriden around the time your gun was made.






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[Mike Franzen]

What did the guy you bought it from say it was? The frame and little we can see of the wood looks looks really good. Post more pics for us please.

[Tom Poss]

I'll take more pics later this evening--I think it's a really nice example of an early Parker--Tight, clean bores ---looks like no one has messed with it. I've sent for a letter!

[Ken Descovich]

My own personal opinion is that it looks original and period. I would be surprised if it wasn't original. Ken

[Dean Romig]

Silver won’t generally flake or peel like that, it wears to thin areas usually. I think it is nickel plated.





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[Craig Budgeon]

Silver tarnishes, nickel will dull with time and peel easily when friction is applied, and chrome stays bright as long as it is not constantly exposed to the elements. Look at the grip area of the trigger guard, it appears as if the plating is starting to peel and rust along the edges.

[Tom Poss]

Mike--here some additional pictures---http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76652&stc=1&d=1569953671http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76653&stc=1&d=1569953671http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76654&stc=1&d=1569953671http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76655&stc=1&d=1569953671http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76656&stc=1&d=1569953671

[Tom Poss]

More Picshttp://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76657&stc=1&d=1569954037http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76658&stc=1&d=1569954037http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76659&stc=1&d=1569954037http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76661&stc=1&d=1569954037

[edgarspencer]

I agree with the above comments, in that I'm sure it's nickel, and, like Ken, think it's original, or certainly it's been there a long time.

[Dennis E. Jones]

If it is silver I would expect the butt plate to be black with oxidation. I vote for nickel as many early firearms with it were plated to prevent rust.

Just my poor $0.02 contribution.

[Bill Murphy]

I can't wait to see the letter, Tom.

[Michael Moffa]

If memory serves correct chrome plating did not get invented until the late 20's, so its either Nickle or Silver plate. If it smells of sulfur its silver plate.

[edgarspencer]

I don't know what year the process was invented, but I know the 1927 Model A had a chrome, spring steel bumper, and radiator cover.

[Craig Budgeon]

Great memory Edgar. Chrome plating was developed at Columbia University in 1924.

[edgarspencer]

Great memory Edgar. Chrome plating was developed at Columbia University in 1924.
Go figure, cuz I can't remember what I had for dinner last night.

[Tom Poss]

Got my Letter and looks like it's 1878 not 77--ther is no mention of "Nickel" or "silver"--I'm sure it is Nickel!!???http://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76788&stc=1&d=1570570322

[Michael Moffa]

Chrome plating supplanted Nickle plating because Chrome will form a tightly bound oxide layer that stops further oxidation. It's what makes stainless steel stainless. You had to polish Nickle, which took time and elbow grease.

[Chuck Bishop]

Kind of puts to rest the theory that these old hammer guns had 3+ inches of drop. Many did but you'd be surprised how many had modern stock drops of 2 1/2 or 2 3/4 inches at the heel.

[todd allen]

Plating aside, that is a nice gun. Great dimensions for an early gun.

[Jack Cronkhite]

I don't know what year the process was invented, but I know the 1927 Model A had a chrome, spring steel bumper, and radiator cover.

If I remember correctly the first Model A came out late in 1927. Mine is a few months later. Lots of chrome. Not meant to hijack but can’t resist showing the reality of Edgar’s observation. Cheers Jackhttp://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=934&pictureid=12296

[Bill Murphy]

Car guys have nothing on the owner of this 1878 Parker. When Tom Poss and I were barely out of grade school, he was driving an outstanding 1934 Ford. I saw the '34 on a visit to his family's Maryland garage and was suitably impressed. He knows a little about cars. Maybe with a little bit of push, he will tell us about the old girl.

[Tom Poss]

Hi Billy--sure wish I had that old '34 Ford--had a lot of good times in it!!!