Parker Identification/Value

[Connor Craig]

I recently came upon (what I believe to be) a parker shotgun. I am not a shotgun guy by any means and after doing some research I am finding myself overwhelmed. So I figured I'd turn to the experts for some wisdom.

From my limited research I believe this to be a 12ga, 1901, DH, size 2 frame, Titanic steel gun.

However, this shotgun seems way too nice, like it was definitely refinished, or maybe is a reproduction. One of the previous owners was a wealthy avid sportsman, and messed with it, like adding an engraved silver grip cap, as well as maybe adding a new stock? This shotgun doesn't look like anything else I've seen.

I was wondering what your guy's thought on it are, and what you think it'd be worth. Most likely not as much as a more period correct parker I'd imagine.

A full album can be found here: https://imgur.com/a/duLQOmk

Thanks!

[Brian Dudley]

The gun is a DH grade (grade 3 hammerless).
And you are correct. None of the finishes are original, or correct. The barrels are re-blued, the frame has been buffed. The engine turning (jeweling) on the frame and barrels are not correct in any way. And the wood on the gun is not factory original (aftermarket replacements not of proper form or from the proper species of wood).
As far as value, it would be pretty low compared to unaltered examples. Maybe $500-700 to most who know what they are looking at. But if it goes bang and breaks targets, there is some value in that.

[Harry Collins]

Conner,

We have a book that list many Parkers by serial number. Unfortunately yours was one of the serial numbers that was not included. The three serial numbers in the book that followed your Parker were all DH guns with Titanic Steel Barrels. 105975 had 30" barrels. 105977 & 978 sported 32" barrels. I was wondering what the length of you barrels? Brian is a wealth of knowledge and I trust his assessment on value, condition, etc. A friend of mines grandfather ordered an AH with Whitworth Steel barrels in 1897. He was a live bird shot and had sent the gun back to the factory five times for minor adjustments to stock and additional sets of barrels with minor changes in pattern. I suspect your Parker was used as a trap or live bird gun with the stock and frond changed to shoot a higher pattern. I can't tell from the pictures on my small computer screen, but it appears the checkering is skip line. Makes me think the work was done in the 1970's.

Kindest,
Harry

[Bill Murphy]

Aftermarket non selective Miller trigger. Gun was reassembled with no thought given to proper screw placement or alignment. A good gunsmith could fix the screw problem and probably end up with a good working shotgun with no collector value. The lack of automatic ejectors and the presence of the Miller trigger probably are signs that the gun will work.

[Phil Yearout]

Looks like it's restocked to pretty modern dimensions - not much DAH etc. Could be a great shooter and ain't nothin' wrong with that!

[Dave Noreen]

Nice that whoever did the rework used a Model 21 style yoke in the beavertail forearm. What is the barrel length? Hopefully the barrels haven't been cut.

The RESEARCH LETTER pick on the home page shows the PGCA has information on this gun to do a letter on how it left the factory.

Also, it is of the time period when the Titanic Steel barrel guns have a K in the barrel steel location on the barrel flats --

88926

instead of the more familiar T in a circle --

88927

[Connor Craig]

Ok, thanks for all the info!

Shame about the value, but it's still an beautiful gun regardless. And yeah, 1970's-ish would be about the timeframe where this gun saw the most use, so it would make sense that the modifications were done then.

It has 30" barrels, although the muzzle end seems to look a little sloppy, to my untrained eye.

And if I were to take this out to shoot clays, would it be safe to run modern 2 3/4 target loads through it?

[Randy G Roberts]

[QUOTE=Dave Noreen;313609]Nice that whoever did the rework used a Model 21 style yoke in the beavertail forearm. /QUOTE]

Dick Washburn was known to do the same at least in some of his upgrades.

[Dean Romig]

Veeery interesting reinforcing layout inside that forend Randy. And a very interesting forend iron engraving and sculpting for strength.





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[Dean Romig]

The wall thickness on the muzzles would seem to indicate some serious choke!!

And the termination of the matting is factory finished... keels in place and all. Ribs may have been re-layed at some point in time.





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[charlie cleveland]

nice gun hope you take her hunting soon....charlie

[William Davis]

If it fits and shoots well somebody will pay for that gun. Top scores have been shot with Parker’s extensively worked over. Take it to the Southern SxS . Market for a shooter is different than collector.

William

[Bill Murphy]

I think we're liking this gun more all the time. I'll stick my nose into the air and guess its weight at 8 pounds, 2 ounces, and the stock drop dimensions at 1 5/8" drop at comb and 1 7/8 drop at heel. I don't know when Pachmayr quit using the Los Angeles 15, California address on their recoil pads, but we've been in zip codes for decades. Very nice gun, deserves to be shot.

[Harry Collins]

Conner,

Yes! Shoot the snot out of that Parker. It should let the smoke out of a clay target, take the head off a turkey, or kill a high flying bird. 60 years ago a gunsmith told me one can put a case of shells a day through a Parker and not hurt it. It will digest 2 3/4" shells with delight.

Harry

Harry

[Jobe Doty]

I am new to the forum, this is my first post and please excuse if this is not the proper way to ask
But how can I tell what barrel length my Parker Trojan, sen no 161908 came with?
It is now 28"

[Brian Dudley]

I am new to the forum, this is my first post and please excuse if this is not the proper way to ask
But how can I tell what barrel length my Parker Trojan, sen no 161908 came with?
It is now 28"

You could order a PGCA letter if available.
Or purchase a copy of the serialization book and look up the number to see what it says.
Or physical examination of the muzzle of the barrels would tell possibly.

[Jack Huber]

I am new to the forum, this is my first post and please excuse if this is not the proper way to ask
But how can I tell what barrel length my Parker Trojan, sen no 161908 came with?
It is now 28"

According to the Serialization book #161908 was a 12ga made with 30" barrels.

[Jobe Doty]

Thank you very much.
I guess they were cut at some time.
Too bad

[Harry Collins]

Jobe,

Yes and No. Yes it is a shame they were cut. On the other hand Trojans were choked Mod and Full for 28" barrels and Full and Full for 30" barrels as I recall. With only 2" removed there likely some choke left. Most barrels were cut because the choke did not match the game pursued. It should make a handy small game gun. I'm not admonishing you in telling the you the proper way to ask a question on the PGCA Forum. If you have a comment on an existing post "Reply" on it. If you have a new question such as the one on your Trojan. Search the forum topics for the one that applies. Go to it and you will find "New Thread" in the upper left.

Kindest,
Harry

[Jobe Doty]

Thank you sir

[Joe Graziano]

I would have fun, shoot it and don’t worry about the finishes. I managed to take a great old shooter, tried to have the finishes restored to original and in the process, destroyed the gun. I would enjoy the gun as is.

[calvin humburg]

If anyone can't find me that gun for 700$ please let me know:corn:

[J. Scott Hanes]

[QUOTE=Dave Noreen;313609]Nice that whoever did the rework used a Model 21 style yoke in the beavertail forearm. /QUOTE]

Dick Washburn was known to do the same at least in some of his upgrades.

I don't know this gentleman, Dick Washburn. Is he still in business? Living? I, too have a forend attachment system similar to this on my SBT. Thanks.

Scott Hanes

[Stan Hillis]

You can buy a container of Birchwood Casey Stock Sheen and Conditioner for a few bucks and, by rubbing it into the glossy finish carefully with a soft cotton cloth, remove that high gloss and have a resulting satin sheen. I did this to a Fox a few years ago that a previous owner had "shined up" way too much. Made it look much less "garish" and a bit closer to period correct. There are other ways to do this, such as with rottenstone, etc., but this inexpensive bottle of stuff works pretty good.

https://www.amazon.com/BW-Casey-Stock-Sheen-Conditioner/dp/B0009TNNYC

Enjoy the gun, "make it yours" by shooting it often. It's stocked way too high for me, but maybe you shoot trap.(?)

SRH