Sculpted Bolsters

[Dean Romig]

Some early Lifters had sculpted bolsters similar to the later $100 quality or D grade guns but they were generally lower quality guns.

This one, No. 10165, is a TO "grade" in the Serialization book ( which is more likely a keystroke error and should actually be T0 (zero being the actual quality).

If any others own such a Parker can you please show us some pictures of them and tell us the quality or grade of them?


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[Brian Dudley]

The bead on the bottom of the barrels, following the contour of the frame and extending all the way up and on top of the frond iron is also very "different".

[Dean Romig]

I agree Brian. And that bead is part of the barrel flats not part of the frame as shown here.


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[Brian Dudley]

I know, they always are.

[Dean Romig]

Does anyone else have a low grade Lifter with sculpted bolsters they can share with us?





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[Gary Cripps]

Not exactly what was requested. Would like to know the grade if someone could advise.

[Jim DiSpagno]

Dollar grade equivalent to a grade 2

[Dean Romig]

I say grade 1. A grade 2 would have birds engraved on the lock plates.





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[Jim DiSpagno]

Dean there was a period when that engraving was done buy impression this has Damascus barrels. I had a similar one and letter stated a dollar number but can’t remember what it was and was told equal to a grade 2

[Jim DiSpagno]

Look in my albums Dean. Thanks

[Gary Cripps]

Picture by request.

[Brian Dudley]

Gary, that is a typical grade 2 lifter.

[Dean Romig]

Indeed it is the grade 2 pattern.

Sorry Jim.





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[Jim DiSpagno]

No apologies necessary my friend

[Jeff Wemmer]

Dean,

What's up with the dipped edges of the lockplates just behind the firing pins. To me that's the real anomaly - never seen that before. (on any Parker)

Any foreign proof / maker's marks anywhere on that gun?

Regardless, it'sa a very interesting and attractive gun.

[Dean Romig]

Hello Jeff -

This gun was made before the various features that became standard to the grades were completely adopted. Also this gun was made on the smallest Parker frame size ever made until the 00-frame size for the .410 and I believe the dipped top line of the lock plates was done to allow the wood to be sculpted to avoid interference with the radius of the hammer's arc to the firing pin.

That's my best guess anyhow.

There are no marks from any foreign makers on this or any other Parker aside from Whitworth Steel barrels' stamps and possibly any Parkers that were worked on and/or re-proofed in England and stamped as such.


Maybe Gary Carmichael will look at his 20 gauge hammer Parkers to see if they have lock plates so contoured.




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[Brian Dudley]

I didnt even notice the shape of the lock plates. That is unique for sure.

[Jeff Wemmer]

The whole gun is just, well, different. The barrel flats with their little winglets (a.k.a. beads) remind me of a British "Bar-In-Wood" while the lock plates and action are very "leFeverish".

Does Dean / whoever owns the thing have the letter on it?

Correctly assuming that it's a 12?

Very interesting gun.

[Dean Romig]

Jeff, I don't have a letter and the owner I believe does not either... or he didn't share it with me.





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[Mike Koneski]

Does anyone else have a low grade Lifter with sculpted bolsters they can share with us?





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I'll have to take a look-see.

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Mike. I know I have seen a couple of pictures posted by members here.


I have spent considerable time this morning looking through my file folder "Other Peoples' Parkers" and have come up with some.

Keep in mind that these are all dollar quality guns and design and embellishment standards had not yet been set. These are mostly guns that have been shown on the forum here by members but I don't know who's these are.


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[Mike Koneski]

Here are of few photos of bolsters and side plates on two of my under-lifters. One is very plain, the other with more flair and panache.