Trying to determine the grade.

[Eric Wiens]

I have recently acquired a Parker Bros 12 gage shotgun. I have found that all the serial numbers match (9054) and was manufactured around 1877. Frame size 1. Weight is 38. I cant find the grade. My research found that this gun predates the grade system / stamp. I would appreciate any information on the grade.

Thank you,
Eric

[Dean Romig]

It would most likely be the equivalent of the grade 0 but certainly not higher than the grade 1.





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[Eric Wiens]

Thanks for taking the time.

[Dave Noreen]

It should be either a Quality T if it has Twist barrels a $55 gun or a Quality P if it has Fine English Twist barrels a $65 gun. Now, of course, the question remains where does Stub Twist fall in the scheme of things? A term different than used in the catalogs.

[Craig Budgeon]

While the barrel steel determines the various grades of the early guns, the grips and gage determine the quality designation.

[Dean Romig]

Where do the "STUT TWIS" barrels fall in grade or quality determination??

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[Matt Buckley]

Those barrels look pretty clean and sharp for it's age. Nice looking lifter.

[edgarspencer]

Where do the "STUT TWIS" barrels fall in grade or quality determination??

At least it would appear that the engraver spell MERIDEN correctly.

[Dave Noreen]

There was a period of time when the lowest Grade guns had plain wood, not checkered. However, by the 1882 price list, the Grade 0 guns Qualities R, S, T & U are listed as being checked.

89409

In the earliest catalog I have a copy of the entry-level gun is said to be "plain finished" and have "Best Gun Iron" barrels with a list price of $50. The next gun up the scale has "Decarbonized Steel Barrels" with a list price of $75. All the higher Qualities have the choice of Laminated or Damascus barrels.

[Eric Wiens]

Thank you for the information. Very interesting. I just found out the shotgun was my wifes grandfather who acquired it from a man that owed him $7.

[Mike Franzen]

That’s a nice looking lifter. The barrels seem to be in great shape. Could you post pics of the stock and forend? Do you have any other history on the gun?

[Eric Wiens]

Add pics of the stock. Came from Massachusetts from my wife's grandfather. He got it from a $7 debt during the great depression.

[Dean Romig]

These very early 4-digit serialized Parkers are extremely difficult to identify in regard to dollar-quality or grade is concerned.
Previously I had suggested the gun was the equivalent of a grade-0 but certainly no higher than the equivalent of a grade-1.
Now that we see the checkering pattern of the forend, which is clearly the three-point or “bow tie” pattern, the gun, in my opinion, is in fact a predecessor of the grade-2.





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[Harold Lee Pickens]

Looks like your gun has aged gracefully, Eric. Many of us love to shoot and hunt with our hammer guns.

[charlie cleveland]

nothing closes together like a early lifter....I m awed every time I close one of mine....charlie

[Eric Wiens]

I need to replace the right firing pin spring. Found one on ebay for a #1 12 G firing spring #D545 and was wonder if it would work?

[Bill Murphy]

There are members on this site who make new firing pins and springs for lifters. They would be a better bet than a used pin or spring that is 100+ years old.

[Eric Wiens]

What would be the best way to find a member that has firing pin spring for sale?

Thanks,
Eric