1st Parker and love it

[Jeff Stoelk]

I recently picked up a 1901 Parker Bros DH, with Damascus barrels, through an online auction. Serial 106207, grade 3, frame 2, bbl weight 1 (I can't find any info on this #). To me, it appears to be in wonderful condition, but what do I know about old side by sides? It has, at some point had the stock lengthened but done very well with almost matching grains. There is, what I believe to be a flaw, at least until I read an earlier posting. Initially I believed the safety to have been broken, although there are no rough spots. It's just not there. I've considered going to a gunsmith to correct this, however, I just read one of the postings that sometimes they were ordered that way. Any information would be greatly appreciated as I don't want to add something that possibly wasn't there.
The other thing that caught my eye with this Parker was a wonderful leather case. This case had the home town of family painted on it and certainly appears to be period correct. The town has never had more than 1800 people and my family helped to settle it. I've since been able to track down the probable original owner to be one of two brothers that lived in the town and belonged to a local gun club. I'm still continuing to search further and will be submitting a request for any factory information and place it was shipped to for sale, or was it ordered?
I'll do my best to post pictures as I believe it to be in very good shape for 120 year old shotgun

[Jeff Stoelk]

Some more shots of my Parker

[Eric Estes]

The forend wood is not at all Parker. The stock may have started out Parker, but has been reworked extensively if it is not simply a replacement. A picture of the muzzle from the top and from the front of the bore would be good too. The engraving looks very nice as well as the barrel finish though. Thanks.

[Steve Huffman]

The safety has been removed and slot filled I do not think it was ordered that way , For the single trigger not sure about that either.

[Jeff Stoelk]

I appreciate your response about the fore end Eric. All I can say is the wood matches the stock (I'm a woodworker and know wood) and the serial # is embossed similarly and accurately as the rest of the shotgun, and it fits like a glove (not OJ's). Perhaps you know something that I haven't observed and I'm open to being shown if wrong.

As for the safety response, I've felt from the start that there should be a safety and will explore that more. I have my doubts that it was never there and will be pursuing information from the research area of PGCA.

Thank you both for your responses.

[Jeff Stoelk]

Here are the requested photos of the bore and a better shot of the fore end serial #.

[Dean Romig]

Yup, the safety was removed and the slot was filled, no question.

Looks like it was modified to be used as a trap gun.



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[edgarspencer]

The reverse pitched comb (heel of comb higher than nose of comb) Is most surely a trap shooters dimension. The lack of safety, again, a competition feature. The fore end iron length is the giveaway that a beaver tail was not the original configuration.
That period of engraving was, in my mind, the best.
Ordering a research letter could possibly shed light on the safety and stock.

[Bill Murphy]

What a great old pigeon gun, a piece of shotgun competition history. We need pictures of the trigger with all views shown. We may be able to tell you who made the trigger. It could be a Parker retrofit, but not original. Do we know how long the barrels are? We need better pictures of the stock from front to back. Your PGCA letter will be a better deal if you join PGCA and you will get the newsletter also.

[Dean Romig]

We’d like to see a closer clear picture of the name on the case... Jno. something from Manning Iowa...





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[Jeff Stoelk]

First, Thank you, each of you who have responded. It's enlightening and helpful to help understand some of what I've been wondering about. I knew that there had to be some sort of modification but I'm not a learned trap shooter, nor knew the reasons behind them, and this helps.
The research that I've been able to uncover, through the local historical group in Manning, is that: 1 - "Jno" was an accepted abbreviation for "John" in the early 1900's. This fits with one of the brothers. They are pretty sure the last name on the case is "Frahm", which also fits with the brothers. Both were active trap competitors. 2 - The barrel length is a solid 30". 3 - I have joined PGCA, what else should I do to get more benefit from the site? I am putting together a request for Parker research information.
I've included photos that some of you requested. As you can see there was a 1/2" piece added to the butt stock, along with the recoil pad. The addition appears to have been done quite well, with no raised edges, no chips, no cracks anywhere, and up close it appears to be the same type of wood but not the exact same finish (but pretty close). A question that I have, is it all worthwhile to attempt having the safety put back or would I be better to leave it as is, as it was apparently intended for trap? I tend toward leaving it, but I will be very interested in what I get back from Parker.
Thanks again for the help and any further information would be greatly appreciated.

[Jeff Stoelk]

Here are more photos of the stock

[Dean Romig]

Thank you. That answers the quastion - the stock is not original.





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[Jeff Stoelk]

Dean, can you help me out with this. All serial #'s match and from the photos I've seen, it appears similar. Help me to see how it is not original. Not questioning you, just looking to help identify any in the future that I would look at. What should I look for may be a better question. Thanks.

[Dean Romig]

The teardrop drop points are non-existent, the pistol grip extends 1/8" - 3/16" longer than would have been standard for a D grade, the checkering pattern is not consistent with any Parker checkering seen, the "nose of the comb" is way too long and too shallow for an original Parker stock, the wood looks like American black walnut crotch wood when a D grade made before the Remington era would have had imported 'Circassian' walnut.

If you carefully remove the screw holding the trigger guard tang and carefully lift up the tang and rotate it out of the way you would see the serial number stamped perfectly into the wood in the exposed channel.





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[Jeff Stoelk]

Thank you Dean. I always like to get new and helpful information. Have a wonderful New Year. Jeff

[Jeff Stoelk]

You were absolutely right about the serial # not being there. Am I to assume that #'s match on fore end, barrel, receiver are all Parker. The stock then obviously was switched for one reason or another. I'm curious about what you think of the trigger - Parker or not? Also, there is little slide to the side of the trigger that I had not really noticed before I checked the stock for a serial #, what is the purpose for it? I've added another trigger photo that I think is better than the previous, and a picture of the slide in the back position and then in the forward position. Thanks again for the information you've provided.

[Dean Romig]

The slide is the barrel selector.
By putting it in one position or the other you determine which barrel fires first allowing you to one choke or the other first.






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[Chris Robenalt]

Nothing better than the taste of your 1st Parker! Enjoy, and welcome to the club!
Chris, AZ

[Bill Murphy]

Even though the trigger has a selector slide like an original Parker, the slide does not look like a Parker slide. The thing about single triggers is "If it works, it's great. If it doesn't work, it's useless." I hope yours works. Whoever made your trigger, it was not in the gun when the gun was new.

[Jeff Stoelk]

Gentlemen, I thank each of you for helping me out. Yes, Chris I do like my 1st Parker, and I'm currently looking at a couple of others. My only problem is that many are certainly out of my price range and my wife is not all that supportive, but I've quite a few weapons now and intend to continue.
You guys have all been very helpful and I've learned quite a lot. I should thank you for putting up with my naivety. Side by's are new to me and I have no doubt that I'll be back with more questions as I acquire additional examples.
I've a friend who is encouraging me to be looking at LC Smith, AH Fox, and Ithaca as well, which I do on occasion, but I seem to always come back to Parker. They seem to have better fit/finish and consistency. As I said before, "What do I know", I'm a newbie, but I sure like Parker.
Happy New Year to all of you. Later - Jeff

[Dave Noreen]

Interesting gun. Quite a life it must have led with all these modifications. You have done a great job with the picture, so how about a couple more of the barrel flats and the watertable? Perhaps we can deduce something from the markings there. I don't recognize that single selective trigger.

[Jeff Stoelk]

Here are the additional photos you asked for. Hopefully they're adequate. You also got a little sneak view of my 25 yard indoor range, 10' ceiling, 8' wide, under my porch and office. Lots of fun. I just finished sighting in a weapon for my buffalo hunt this coming week. Lest I digress, here are the pictures. Thank you - Jeff

[Richard Flanders]

It sure is a stunning pc of wood for the buttstock.

[Dean Romig]

In your last picture just to the left of the Damascus steel stamp "D" there appears to be a very light stamp... or is it a stain? that looks like an F or something similar. Can you clarify that for us Jeff?





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[Jim DiSpagno]

Dean looks to be a script K

[Dean Romig]

That's a possibility Jim...





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[Jeff Stoelk]

I attempted to get a better photo but it doesn't show up any better. With a magnifying glass and angled lighting it appears to be an "H" with the lower right rubbed smooth. The top portions both appear the same, albeit very light, with the left side going down to the bottom, which has a similar "foot" as appears on the top portions. At least that's the way it appears under those conditions. Hopefully that helps, if not I'll go down and look again.

[Chris Robenalt]

Yes Jeff, there's an arsenal of great American sxs you'll want to explore. I love my Parkers, but my go to guns are my Foxes, especially the 20s. They are the ones I started my collection with. Variety is good, I have all the American doubles you mentioned in your post. Each has something unique to offer and admire. It's not abnormal for our wives to frown on and not support our hobbies such as our love and desire for fine shotguns. I solved this dilemma by having my safes in my garage. The new guns never enter the house, although anymore I don't think my wife cares. Be careful, once you start acquiring you'll find it hard to stop!
Chris, AZ

[Jeff Stoelk]

Yes, I believe there are plenty to choose from and sometimes it's difficult. I've collected quite a few over the years and have now started getting some to replace those that I sold long ago. I consider guns somewhat of "terminal" disease that I just have become addicted to. But I do have to say aside from handguns, rifles, over/unders, pumps, my newest addiction is becoming SXS. I understand the safe issue. When I building our house a couple of years ago, I knew I was going to end up with a 25 yard area due to an additional retaining wall. I affectionately call it "the bowling alley", where I had the safe lowered into it.
I'm currently looking at 4-5 other SXS's, 2 of which are Parkers, a Fox, and a Smith, possibly an Ithaca.
I see you live in Tempe, I used to live in Queen Creek when there were only about 3000 there. Big difference. I'm coming down for a month mid-January to see friends and grandchildren.
Have a great day.

[Chris Robenalt]

Yes, I grew up in Tempe. Still hunt the east valley and into the Superstitions, down to Oracle Jct. I've hunted Queen Creek area from the 70s to 2008 or so, when dove and quail were plenty. I'm a sxs fanatic, although I still shoot my solid rib 1952 26" Browning 20. I'll take it to the grave. Good luck in your endeavors Jeff, and watch out for the Foxes, they're hard to let go of!

[Mike Franzen]

It looks like the unstruck barrel weight is 4 pounds, 1 ounce