Need identification before restoration

[Jim Copenhaver]

My wife's father just recently handed down a Parker Bros. shotgun which is a family heirloom. I've taken it to a gunsmith who recommended I converse with this group before he started restoration as it seemed a bit unusual.

This is the information we were able to gather from an initial look along with pictures.

Serial Number: 166 F (best guess - see pictures)
British Proofed
30 inch barrel
Lifter Style
Extra Engraving
Locking Lug
Black Powder
12 Gauge
Laminated Steel Barrel
Barrel Text (best as I can make out) "Parker Bros. Maker Meriden Conn Laminated Steel.
It has some proofs engraving in the barrel as well

Thanks in advance for any assistance in identifying this model!

Jim

[Brian Dudley]

If your gunsmith is not at all familiar with the gun and thinks it unusual, you may want to ask yourself if you want them doing any “restoration” work on it.
Most would not even think of restoring the gun as it appears to be in fine overall conditon and operable.

The serial number is 166. First year of Parker Bros production. So 1869 manufacture. Back action with what looks like Laminated steel barrels.
The “F” has nothing to do with the serial number. Or identification of any sorts.

It would be considered a grade 1. Actually in this time period the grade would be designated by the dollar amount paid, I cannot recall off my head what the dollar amount for this one would be. But it is one step up from the bottom. The base grade would be not engraved and have decarbonized steel barrels. This is the next step up likely.

[Jim Copenhaver]

This being the first time I've gone down the restoration process and completely out of my depth, what would be the "best" approach given the following:

1.) We really want to preserve it for the future.
2.) It will remain in the family. NO intention to sell it.
3.) We are willing to invest in it's preservation and restoration.

Is it valuable enough to warrant restoration and if so what approach would you recommend in terms of gunsmith and/or instructions for restoration?

[Mike McKinney]

This is what I would say. Brian is very knowledgeable and respected, I’m sure his comments earlier is good info and with that said and your intro, I would send it to Brian or someone with lots of Parker knowledge for a qualified evaluation and any suggestions. In the vintage gun circle, original is very valuable. By the way join PGCA and learn all you can.

[Bill Murphy]

Aside from removing and peening or replacing damaged screws, I wouldn't think of any restoration. It is a rare and important Parker with features that would be removed or hidden by a restoration attempt.

[Dean Romig]

I would recommend a professional cleaning simply to remove crud and grime on both the wood and metal parts but NOT to erase the handling marks put on it by your ancestors - those scars and marks are part of the gun’s history and the stories it woul tell if it could.





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[Alfred Greeson]

First year production is of course a very special find. It is a great piece of history to the Parker community. What everyone is saying, it's original condition is super important and you would not want to do any restoration to take away from that.

[Daniel Carter]

What exactly is restoration? This question is a constant here. It can mean the cleaning of 110 years of accumulated grime and internal crud revealing honest wear of an honest good condition gun or the complete striping of all finish from all surfaces.

What does the owner wish to accomplish? Do they think this will enhance value or desirability? Is the gun abused as in the VH i bought at auction that had a coat of duck boat paint on it?

The post should state what the desired end result is and then advice can be given. Some may want to see it as it was the day it was finished as a display piece, others will have their own desires.
If I was so blessed with a gun handed down from my grandfather ( and i am) all i would do is clean it and cherish it.

[Drew Hause]

This is the 1869 Price List

https://photos.smugmug.com/Damascus/Parker/i-pqLf9kh/0/46ea4d92/XL/1869_Parker_Price_List-XL.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/Damascus/Parker/i-pqLf9kh/A)

The Laminated Steel rough forged tubes were sourced from and proved in Birmingham.

[Mills Morrison]

Good advice is given above. Brian would be a good gunsmith to clean it up a bit.

[Jim Copenhaver]

I would like to thank everyone for the great advice.

I'm going to play it safe and just have it cleaned. It does have a damaged barrel (right barrel, at the end, misshapen due to being dropped, perhaps?)

I remember the gunsmith (Vince Capon, of Fayette Gun Shop, who came highly recommended locally) noted a few other small issues, but I can't remember the specifics. He was able to determine it was an earlier model but suggested appraisal/assessment with a parker expert before taking any action.

Regardless, I'll contact Brian and follow up with him to go over options as far as cleaning/care is concerned.

Everyone has been fantastic on this journey through our family history so far and I can't wait to see where it leads!

Thanks again,

Jim

[BillCorn]

Hi Brian,
I came across what I think is a first year production Parker SxS 12 ga (s/n 287) that is almost identical to the gun referred to in this thread. Same markings in all the same places, just 287 instead of 166.

It needs some love to get it back to life. I’ll need to heal the cracked stock, which is something I can handle. More concerning is that the left hammer holds at half cock but will not hold at full cock. I'm looking for any insights about what may the issue and how complicated it might be to correct that issue.

Thanks in advance for any insights you can share. I can post pictures if you want them.

Bill

[Arthur Shaffer]

What you list in this note makes more sense because they are repairs, not modifications. I would include the barrel ding, as it should be a relatively straight forward repair.
These guns are rare as they made so few of them. Many active collectors have not added one to their collection due to the inability to find a nice original gun. The gun will likely use value if you do a refinish to the wood and metal. In that vein, it may be advisable to at least get a quote on repairing the cracked stock because it is important to make the repair while altering the finish as little as possible.

Also keep in mind that these first model gun were not as robustly designed, in my opinion, as the future models. They are completely serviceable when held to the pressure levels for which they were designed, but probably more than the others if subjected to higher pressure loads. Use light 2-1/2" loads such as RST and you should enjoy it for years. Have the barrels checked by a knowledgeable smith.

[allen newell]

Jim, Dan Cullity in Sandwich, mass can fix your barrel. Or larry DelGrego too for that matter

[Dean Romig]

Larry DelGrego is deceased.





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[allen newell]

I did not know that Dean. When did he pass and what was the cause

[Brian Dudley]

I did not know that Dean. When did he pass and what was the cause

https://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=42132


Here is a thread where you commented Allen about his passing…. I know there are others too.

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Brian.





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[allen newell]

Brian, my memory is unfortunately fading these days

[Alfred Houde]

Restoration: an act of restoring or the condition of being restored, such as a bringing back to a former position or condition.

Conservation: a careful preservation and protection of something.

Preservation: the act, process, or result of preserving something, such as the activity or process of keeping something valued alive, intact, or free from damage or decay.

These terms tend to be used interchangeably or even the same meaning, but they are each very different. Especially in how we tend to historical, vintage, or artifact firearms.