16 Gauge Lifter

[Matt Buckley]

Here is a gun to get some discussion going and some pictures to look at. I purchased this gun from Josh Loewensteiner. I jumped on it very quickly fearing it was not going to last long once I spotted it. As a side note, Josh is a top notch fellow Parker member who I would recommend all day long for anyone interested in any of his doubles he has for sale.

What we have hear is 16 gauge #12565 $65 dollar grade lifter with plain twist barrels that are 28". This gun was built in 1878 on a O frame with lightning cuts to help with the weight. Even with the cuts it weights in at 6lbs 10oz. The barrels are built heavy with BWT at .037 and .038 and choked .007 and .000. The gun letters with a pistol grip but was sent back in 1880 for new barrels and a new stock so I'm guessing it was switched over to a straight grip at that time.

According to The Parker Story Chart there were 37 16 gauges built in this grade with 28 of them with 28" barrels. Any gauge other than 10 or 12 in a Parker Lifter is a rare bird and I'm thrilled to be it's care taker for the time being. This gun is in amazing shape for being 143 years old and I plan on keeping that up.

You will notice that a radius was added to the frame to eliminate a chance of cracking. That was done by Parker Gunsmith David Fjeline for the previous owner. I suppose collectors who are looking for completely original Parkers would cringe at that but I was happy that was done because I like to shoot my Parkers and I'm not sure I would have purchased it otherwise for fear of it being weak and cracking. Enjoy the pictures and conversation on this nice gun.

[Matt Buckley]

For those wondering, the lifter can still get the job done.

[Steve Huffman]

I see a future home page cover /picture ! Nice very nice

[Jay Oliver]

What a wonderful lifter Matt and it is getting the job done. I like that gun alot...what else would a man need?

I have bought several nice Parkers from Josh as well.

We need to plan a hunting trip together sometime with these old hammer guns!

[Milton C Starr]

Sorry to get off topic but is there any information on that 26" barreled 8 gauge ? What was the 16s and 20s mostly used for during that time period?

[Dean Romig]

16s and 20s were used to take upland birds and waterfowl as well as rabbits and squirrels both for the family pot as well as to sell… same as the 12s and 10s.





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[Matt Buckley]

The 26" barreled 8 gauge in cylinder bore would make a heck of a burglar control Parker.

[CraigThompson]

The 26" barreled 8 gauge in cylinder bore would make a heck of a burglar control Parker.

If I got my paws on it , I’d most certainly try some buckshot loads FIRST .

[CraigThompson]

Matt , nice acquisition ! I have only one hammer gun smaller than a 12 and of course that’s a 16 as well . Mines a top lever 1 frame 30” that also came from the “Lowensteiner Collection” ! Had thoughts of wanting an 0 frame top lever 16 just because a like the lightening cuts :rolleyes:

[CraigThompson]

16s and 20s were used to take upland birds and waterfowl as well as rabbits and squirrels both for the family pot as well as to sell… same as the 12s and 10s.





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So it’s safe to say ALL gauges were used for the pot ! As I’m quite sure “someone” used an 8 and someone else used a 410 to add to the larder .

[Milton C Starr]

So it’s safe to say ALL gauges were used for the pot ! As I’m quite sure “someone” used an 8 and someone else used a 410 to add to the larder .

According to one Englishmen 4s and 8s were pretty effective shooting for shooting groups of gamebirds on the ground. It would probably be frowned upon these days to shoot a covey of quail with a 8 gauge :whistle: .

There is that LC Smith 8 ga on GB I think it is engraved with a quail makes me wonder if thats what the original owner was using it for.

I wouldnt mind getting a 16 gauge double at some point I think a Lefever would be interesting I dont see them show up often.