1903 Parker 12 Gauge

[John_Sterner]

Howdy. This Parker (see pictures) was my great-grandfather's. A gun he acquired in barter for medical services provided to a patient. I would love to hear any tidbits anyone can offer on the gun itself or what I might assign as a value for my firearms rider on my homeowners insurance.

As far as restoration I intend to soak/clean the metal, but leave the wood as is, unless someone has other guidance

Serial # 120768 (1903)
Frame Size = 2
Barrel Weight = 46
Grade = P (Parker Steel ??)
Steel = Twist

Thanks!
John

[Dean Romig]

I recommend you do not “soak” any of it but leave it JUST as it is. Maybe a couple of times a year, depending on your climate, apply a thin coat of gun oil simply to maintain its patina.

It is a Grade-1 or PH.




.

[Mark Riessen]

A nice gun, looks like it was treated well and cared for. Mark

[Brett Hoop]

What length are the barrels?

[Brian Dudley]

The gun is in great original, but used, condition. It was very well cared for. Dont do a thing to it. It doesnt need anything and you do want to mess it up.

Those barrels are great!

[todd allen]

Looks like a very nice gun, and a shooter.

[Andrew Clark]

Wow those are great barrels! Many try to reproduce that look and only a select few can ever accomplish that bold contrast! Beautiful!

[John_Sterner]

What length are the barrels?

32" barrels

[George Davis]

What a incredible gift from your great grandfather, enjoy and shoot some sporting clays or trap. To be 117 years old and that condition is extremely rare.

[Drew Hause]

What a treasure John.
The point that is being made is that VERY few vintage Twist barrels still have that degree of black/white contrast; most turn brown or "plum" over time and the contrast fades.
If you intend to use the gun, it certainly deserves a check and internal cleaning by a double gun specialist, with careful attention to the wall thickness and condition of the barrels bores. Let us know where you are and we can likely recommend someone. The gunsmith will also check the head of the stock for cracks - there is a bit of oil staining.
What looks to be a (no doubt hardened) Red Head pad dates to the late 30s or 40s, and you might replace it with a more period appropriate Silvers pad - modern reproductions are available.
Goddard's Cabinet Makers Wax does an amazing job cleaning up, and protecting, the wood.

[charlie cleveland]

this gun is a p grade the p does not stand for parker steel barrels ...you really have a nice gun....charlie

[Dave Noreen]

Your gun is a Quality P.H. --

90050

According to the tables in The Parker Story, there were 11,107 Quality PH/PHE 12-gauge guns with Twist barrels produced, with 970 having 32-inch barrels. From 1890 to 1899 the Quality PH was the lowest priced hammerless gun Parker Bros. produced. In 1899 the Quality VH was added to the Parker Bros. offerings. About 1920, Parker Bros. began offering the option of Parker Steel barrels on the Quality PH/PHE guns. The first gun with Parker Steel barrels in the surviving records is 192515.

[John_Sterner]

Drew,

Thank you so much for the input. I would love to have a qualified specialist, regardless if I intend to shoot it. I split time between zip codes 55345 and 56431. Right now the gun is in Aitkin, MN at zip code 56431.

John

[charlie cleveland]

notice the high brass shell being thrown out of this gun.....charlie

[Andrew Clark]

Your gun is a Quality P.H. --

90050

According to the tables in The Parker Story, there were 11,107 Quality PH/PHE 12-gauge guns with Twist barrels produced, with 970 having 32-inch barrels. From 1890 to 1899 the Quality PH was the lowest priced hammerless gun Parker Bros. produced. In 1899 the Quality VH was added to the Parker Bros. offerings. About 1920, Parker Bros. began offering the option of Parker Steel barrels on the Quality PH/PHE guns. The first gun with Parker Steel barrels in the surviving records is 192515.

I have a soft spot for the grade 1 guns. I own PHE 185252 with Parker Steel Barrels.