Let’s see some Lifters!

[Stan Hoover]

Maybe this has been done before, but I think these older Parker’s are unique and would enjoy seeing pictures of your Parker under/lifter. (That’s probably not the correct term)
#1 Parker P Grade 8 Gauge 34"
#2 Parker Grade 4 10 Gauge 30"
#3 Parker Grade 3 12 Gauge 30"
#4 parker Grade 3 16 Gauge 30"

[CraigThompson]

Stan I sold the two lifters I had . So I can’t add ! But it looks like yours are in an armory judging by all the others on the back wall !!! Very very nice !!!

[Stan Hoover]

Stan I sold the two lifters I had . So I can’t add ! But it looks like yours are in an armory judging by all the others on the back wall !!! Very very nice !!!

Craig,
Thanks for the comments, that was hastily taken photo in my not so orderly Gun Room, I had thought better when posting but posted it anyway.

I will take another picture without all the background:rolleyes:

Stan Hoover

[Dean Romig]

I’ve sold 3 or 4 lifters and have only 2 left, a Grade 3 10/30” and a Grade 3 16/27”.

Parker 5949 is my Grade 3 10 gauge 30" Damascus with a really nice ball grip. A really good turkey gun which at 9+ lbs is just right for sitting.

Parker 14056 which I forgot to mention, also a Grade 3 12 gauge with 30" Parker-made Laminated Steel barrels. It had a ball grip but has been broken through the wrist and poorly repaired and I've never fired it. It was a gift from Austin Hogan in about 2009.

Parker 18719 is my Grade 3 16/27" with capped pistol grip and Parker-made Laminated Steel barrels refinished many years ago by Breck Gorman when he owned it (a fact that I just very recently learned from Breck.) It's a very nice handling grouse and woodcock gun that is so light I can carry it all day.










.

[Stan Hoover]

[QUOTE=Dean Romig;350844]I’ve sold 3 or 4 lifters and have only 2 left, a Grade 3 10/30” and a Grade 3 16/27”. (Pictures later)

Dean,
Looking forward to the pictures, especially of the Grade 3 16,

my 16 will be soon going for a new butt stock, since it is not original, I might as well make it correct with a ball grip and skeleton butt plate.

However, I'm still having too much fun chasing pheasants with it, still amazed that a 7/8 oz load kills them so effectively.

Stan

[Randy G Roberts]

Nice looking guns Stan. This is the only lifter I own, an 1881 12 gauge, 32".

[Dean Romig]

Wow - that’s a pretty G Randy!





.

[Stan Hoover]

Thanks Randy,

That one has some beautiful wood there, and a 32":)

I would like to keep expanding on these Lifters, perhaps a 10 & 12 with longer barrels, and perhaps a smaller gauge yet:whistle:

Stan

[CraigThompson]

Craig,
Thanks for the comments, that was hastily taken photo in my not so orderly Gun Room, I had thought better when posting but posted it anyway.

I will take another picture without all the background:rolleyes:

Stan Hoover

No that picture is fine ! All the ones on the back wall add to the character of the picture :cool:

[Randy G Roberts]

Stan I would like to come across a few more myself, with long barrels. I enjoy shooting the one I have. I actually shoot skeet pretty well with it, for me anyway. It is a heavy gun at just under 8-13 oz with a MWT of .036 anywhere and that is 8.5" from the muzzle. What next, a lifter event :corn:

[Stan Hoover]

Stan I would like to come across a few more myself, with long barrels. I enjoy shooting the one I have. I actually shoot skeet pretty well with it, for me anyway. It is a heavy gun at just under 8-13 oz with a MWT of .036 anywhere and that is 8.5" from the muzzle. What next, a lifter event :corn:

That is a heavy 12, what size frame is that one? Or maybe it is all in the barrels?

I hadn't thought about a lifter event, but might have to think about that some more:rotf:

[Randy G Roberts]

That is a heavy 12, what size frame is that one? Or maybe it is all in the barrels?

I hadn't thought about a lifter event, but might have to think about that some more:rotf:

It is a 2 frame with an unstruck barrel weight of 4-10. I did not record the finished weight but it is a very barrel heavy gun to me.

[Jay Oliver]

Here a few quick pictures of some of mine. I like the way Stan has them together, I will have to take a picture like that sometime as well. Here they are in order:


Grade 3 10ga. with 28” Laminated barrels on a #2 frame
Grade 2 Equivalent 12ga. with 30” Damascus barrels on a #1 frame
Grade 3 10ga. with 32” Damascus Barrels(early gun and frame size is between a 3 and a 4)
Grade 2 12ga. With 32” Damascus Barrels on a #2 frame I used for trap one winter
Grade 2 12ga with 30” check/hook Damascus barrels and TA firing pins on #2frame
Back Action #171 with 26” Decarbonized Steel Barrels


I have always liked the lifer design as I have mentioned a few times. It's a very natural action that is very fitting for a hammer gun. I did recently acquire a lifter that takes yellow shells. I will post some info on that soon :)

[Dean Romig]

Beautiful guns Jay!!


I added pictures to my first post.





.

[Stan Hoover]

Thanks Dean & Jay for posting pictures of your very beautiful guns.

Now I have so many more questions and things to ponder:o

I would like to see that one that uses yellow shells Jay.:vconfused:

Stan

[Garry L Gordon]

No lifters in my safes...for now, but on my list. You guys are making me drool.:bowdown:

[Reggie Bishop]

If I were a hammer gun guy I would be trying to buy the 20 that Josh L has listed. So Garry you could sell a graded straight stock 20 to fund the lifter. I know someone who might be interested. :cool:

[Wayne Owens]

This is a cased D lifter with Parker accessories and 2 5/8" Track of the Wolf brass shells.

[Jay Oliver]

Great pictures Dean! I know we both like the Parker made laminated barrels like your 16 has.

My grade 3 10 has Parker Laminated barrels(the first picture in my previous post). I shot that gun in the black powder category at the Southern this past year and managed 21/25 with it. I am hoping to make some improvements and do a little better this coming year. Here are a few more pictures that show some nice detail of that gun...

[Arthur Shaffer]

I have pieces of two. The first is a grade 3 10 ga(A) with 9ga barrels, 30" Parker laminate barrels, size 3 frame. Built 1880. The stock was not original so I repaired the broken replacement and inlet it as a pattern. Dan Rossiter has duplicated a new one with forearm from a Circassion blank I sent him and I believe it is on its way back. I am scheduled to send the barrels to Breck next week.

The second I just bought at auction and it has been shipped. It is an early lifter (1874) that looks to be somewhat equivalent to a grade 2 with 30" Damascus barrels. The ad listed it as a 12 gauge. However the serialization book lists it as a 10 gauge. I believe this is before the order books, so I presume the data came from a stock book. The lookup on the website states that info is available for the gun. I have already requested a letter. I contacted the FFL selling the gun and he said he based the 12 gauge ID on the fact that a 12 ga snap cap dropped in and fit. I purchased the gun because of the price. My guess, based on the data in the serialization book and what the dealer told me is that it is a 10 gauge with 10 (B) barrels. No idea of frame size. Right now it's kinda like a treasure hunt. Hope to have some pictures of progress in a month or so.

[Shawn Wayment]

Those are all gorgeous lifters! Mine’s nothing fancy but I love it!

[charlie cleveland]

i have a lifter 8 ga 2 10 ga lifters and the 11 ga lifter....i really like these old lifters...charlie

[Matt Buckley]

1878 $65 Grade 16 gauge Lifter on O frame with 28" barrels

[Mills Morrison]

"The One with the Tape" as the boys know it as it was used on the first duck hunts each of them went on. A Quality 2 10 gauge with 32 inch barrels.

[Jay Oliver]

Shawn that is a nice lifter and great pictures. I have a lifter just 6 numbers earlier than yours, mine is #3492. It is the second picture in my first post in this thread. In a case made by PGCA member Edgar Spencer.

[Mike Poindexter]

1881 Quality E 10 ga with Parker laminated steel barrels. Only fault is the barrels are cut from 30 to 28 1/4 with most of the choke gone. Still throws a killing pattern with Bismuth 2's at 40 yds. No pass shooting with this one.

[Dean Romig]

Nice Grade 2!





.

[Arthur Shaffer]

Mike

Beautiful gun! I wondered if it was built or sold in 1881. I have an 1880 grade 3 in the same spec. Your gun has the later fore end iron but the serial number would place it as an 1878 action. Wondered if you had recieved a letter and it was actually built and shipped in 1881 on a frame in stock? My 1880 has a serial number in the 18000 range.

[Dean Romig]

A fair number of Parkers that originally had the keyed forend were returned for the new Deely style to be installed.





.

[Arthur Shaffer]

A fair number of Parkers that originally had the keyed forend were returned for the new Deely style to be installed.





.

That's interesting Dean. I looked in the serialization book and there are huge gaps around the time of that number, including 13180 to 13261. You may be right in that it may have been returned for the upgrade shortly after purchase.

[Dean Romig]

Chuck may chime in on this.

I personally have seen at least a half dozen that were so-modified.

But, as in the case of guns returned for one reason or another and Parker replaced or added the post-1910 bolt and plate as a standard course of business, there may be no records of the forend modification. But of course this was by request and not a standard customer service practice.





.

[Bill Murphy]

I have Austin Hogan's old lifter "Skeet gun", a #3 frame 32" 12 gauge mega-gun. It weighs around 9 pounds and is a high number gun, one of the last lifters. Austin installed a rubber comb riser that is still there and fits me just fine.

[Stan Hoover]

First picture is of the 12 & 16 a bit closer, the next pictures is of the bottom & trigger guard engraving on the 16. These 2 guns are within 200 in serial #’s, what do you think, same engraver?

[Craig Larter]

Some very interesting and nice examples Thanks for the pictures. I do own one beautiful Parker O 8ga top lever, no underlevers.

[Dean H Hanson]

Hello boys. Not a picture guy. However, 10 and 11. The 20 is a work in progress

[Mike Poindexter]

Here is the factory letter. Chuck Bishop wrote me an e-mail later and said that the discounted price was probably due to a bulk sale to the hardware store that ordered it.

[Mills Morrison]

152

[Dean Romig]

First picture is of the 12 & 16 a bit closer, the next pictures is of the bottom & trigger guard engraving on the 16. These 2 guns are within 200 in serial #’s, what do you think, same engraver?


Stan - Your top gun in the first picture I believe was engraved by Gustauve Young. In any case I believed it was engraved by the same hand that engraved my 16 gauge Lifter No. 18719 but as I look at the years of his tenure at Parker Bros. I'm less sure of my original conviction. Certainly Glahn and Avery were talented enough to copy or imitate Young's somewhat unique signature style if they had admired it.

Take a look at this thread in which I explain his style of engraving.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=29164&highlight=18719

The lower gun I can't say without knowing the serial number but even then it would be an educated guess.





.

[Stan Hoover]

Dean,
I said that wrong, the 16 is serial #18570 and the 12 is 1 year earlier #16600.
My 10 is serial #16349 which puts them within 251 of each other.

I appreciate your knowledge.
Stan

[Arthur Shaffer]

Mike

Interesting letter for several reasons. I believe that explains the Deeley forend on a serial number that is a few years earlier. It is interesting that your gun was shipped just 6 days after order. The 1880 10 gauge I have was ordered and shipped in a few day period late in the year even though the serial number is sequential with guns ordered very early in the year and shipped significantly later. Also like yours, the order book shows that it was ordered as a Damascus gun but it actually shipped with Parker laminate barrels. That coupled with the significant number of D graded guns I have seen discussed that left the factory with Parker laminate barrels has led me to believe that they used the barrels interchangebly. The reason there aren't more examples would be that they just didn't make a lot of the Parker laminate barrrels.

It seems it may have been a common practice to stock completed actions and parts and then assemble guns quickly when an order came in. sometimes after many months or more. I find it telling that both our guns were sold as Damascus but finished very quickly with Laminated barrels at discount prices. My gun, which looks exactly like a $150 dollar grade was discounted $25. Maybe that's how they moved out the remaining Parker laminates.

[Dean Romig]

My research shows that during the years that Parker-made Laminated Steel barrels were manufactured (1877-1879) and likely used in production (and for about another 3 years after the years of their production) there were 166 Grade 2 guns with L in the GRA column in the Serialization book; 37 Grade 3; 5 Grade 4; 2 Grade 5; but only 1 Grade 1 with Laminated Steel barrels.

(Caveat: We do NOT know if all of the guns in this range with the L in the GRA column were Parker-made Laminated Steel but certainly the vast majority of them very likely were. Some may have had barrels of English Laminated.)

I had thought that Grades 3 and higher were the only guns to have the Parker-made Laminated Steel barrels but in the last few years have come to believe otherwise.

Regarding the Deeley & Edge style forend latching system, (from pgs. 99-100 of The Parker Story) this new Charles A. King design was first offered in the 1878 catalog at a $5 charge on guns below Grade 3 but it became a standard feature on all grades beginning in 1880 at no extra charge. The first gun recorded with this new latching system is serial number 11631 .

Further - a quote also from pg. 100 "Some early Parker doubles have been seen with the 1878 forend latch retrofitted, undoubtedly by the factory. These have the new forend latch, the original barrel loop altered, and the hole in the forend plugged where the original key had been." (We recently saw such a forend on the forum by a member who had questions about it.) The patent date is roll-stamped on the latch lever on the lower grades but is hand-engraved on D grades and higher.

Once again I will say that The Parker Story is a most valuable resource in these discussions!!





.

[Arthur Shaffer]

It's a shame no one kept a record (or it is lost) of the number of Parker barrels actually made. I too believe the total number was likely in the 200 range, but I do believe that a significant part of the 211 listed were imports. I can't believe that Parker used up their entire supply of imported laminates and then used almost exclusively what were expensive barrels (to them) on most of the laminate production. I would rather think that they used up their supply of imports on the lower grades in an effort to convert over to their own. It is obvious from reading the Parker Story concerning their production method that they kept a good inventory of parts in stock. So I have to presume they had an inventory on hand when the Parker laminates became available. That would put the real number less than the 211. However, there are multiple occurances of Damascus graded guns that were sold as such with Parker laminated barrels. Counting Mike's gun and the one I bought recently. I have found records of 7 or eight in the last couple of months just by reading old posts here. All but one I found mentioned are Grade 3 or above. That is a significant number compared to the actual L graded guns reported in the records. This would add to the presumed numbers.

Whatever the true number, it is a small number.

[Stan Hoover]

Does the rib legend signify if it was imported Laminated steel or Parker's own laminated Steel? Or how is the difference decided?

[Dean Romig]

The legend on the rib says nothing about where they were sourced. The only ways to tell is by the laminate pattern and most of the Parker-made barrels have a P stamped in the forward area of right barrel flat. NOT to be mistaken with the P inside of a diamond.





.

[Jay Oliver]

Another lifter to share...a late 32" Twist 3 frame 12 gauge, serial #77463 and weighs an even 10lbs. I had posted about it recently in another thread. It is one I should really shoot/hunt with more often. From all of my research, I believe it is the last straight stock Parker Lifter made...

[charlie cleveland]

a great no 3 frame just something special about these guns....I have a hammerless 3 frame....charlie

[Larry Stauch]

This is my only lifter; a 10 gauge, 4559, with 30" Damascus barrels. I've posted it before, but not in a discussion specifically about lifters.
X
X

[Dean Romig]

Larry, that’s a beautiful Parker!
The sculpting on the bolsters would seem to indicate a Grade 3 but the engraving would seem to indicare a higher grade. These were “dollar quality” guns in those serial number ranges so who knows? Do you have a research letter on it?

I love that engraving! It looks like the work of Jacob Glahn…





.

[Stan Hoover]

Larry,
The forward ovals that have the dog in really look allot like my Grade 4 10 gauge lifter even though the sculpting on the bolsters favors a grade 3.

I really like the rear ovals with the hunter and the dog, yours is quite an early gun,
Thanks for sharing,
Stan

[Chuck Bishop]

Unfortunately, the stock book is of no help for Larry's gun. Other than it was a 10ga. with 30" Damascus barrels, the rest of the data is faded away and not readable.

[Stan Hoover]

Jay,

I believe you mentioned a lifter that used yellow shells and possibly posting some pictures of it, how long must we wait:bowdown:

Stan

[Jay Oliver]

I will Stan, give me another few days and I promise I will post some good pictures when I take it out for some sporting clays on Monday.

As a teaser...it's a grade 2 with 29" Parker made Laminated barrels(letters that way).

I will follow up soon...

[Stan Hoover]

I will Stan, give me another few days and I promise I will post some good pictures when I take it out for some sporting clays on Monday.

As a teaser...it's a grade 2 with 29" Parker made Laminated barrels(letters that way).

I will follow up soon...

I apologize for my impatience, that teaser raised my blood pressure just a little :):)

[Jay Oliver]

As promised, here are a few pictures of a 20 gauge Lifter I recently purchased from Josh L. I was going to post some nice outdoor pictures while shooting sporting clays tomorrow, but the weather isn't looking too good here in southern New England. These inside pictures do not do the gun justice, but I wanted to at least share a few.

This is a Grade 2 Equivalent with factory 29" Parker made Laminated Steel barrels. LOP is a 14 3/8" and it weighs 6lbs 5oz. The chokes are almost the same in both barrels at IC/IC. This gun was restored at some point, but not recently. I have shot it at some clays and hope to get out on a preserve hunt in the next week or two(where I will get some great pictures).

I will bring it to the shoot at Major Waldron's on 1/17.

[Mills Morrison]

What a beautiful gun!

[Stan Hoover]

Are you sure those barrels are original length, You could just send it my way since I doubt those barrels are original and I’m sure you don’t want it if it’s not original:rotf:

Sweet lifter there Jay, thanks for sharing,

Stan

[todd allen]

An early 0 Frame 20 gauge Lifter!
I will be wandering around all day in stunned amazement after seeing that!
Jay, that's a beauty! Thanks for sharing.

[Jim Wescott]

Our favorite Parkers are lifters. We have some great wild turkey recipes, for both the guns and the dinner table.

[Stan Hoover]

Great pictures there Jim!

2 more pictures,
1 is the 8 gauge with some SD pheasants in 2020
2 is a photo op of the Lifter family

[Dean Romig]

Here's a magnificent example of seller's remorse. I owned this beautiful D Lifter 12 gauge on the 1-frame for only 5 or 6 years and to this day I can't remember why I ever sold it... but I wish I hadn't. Magnificent engraving!!


.

[Craig Larter]

Very nice display, tell us about the salesman sample boat.

[CraigThompson]

1 is the 8 gauge with some SD pheasants in 2020


I can relate to plunking pheasents with the cannons ! But what you did has to be more difficult than what I did . I carried my cannon in a sporting clays cart and walked around a semi graded circle . You had to carry the big boy thru broom sage etc . :cool:

[Stan Hoover]

Dean,
That is a magnificent D grade, WOW! That has much more engraving than any of my D Grades, is it a later gun? And that wood, very nice!

Craig,
I don’t know much about the canoe, I thought it was pretty neat, it has a glass top, making it nice to display items on it. I picked that up at a DU Banquet.

Craig,
On carrying the big 8 for pheasant, I guess it makes it easier if you’re young and dumb:)

[Dean Romig]

Dean,
That is a magnificent D grade, WOW! That has much more engraving than any of my D Grades, is it a later gun? And that wood, very nice!



Stan, the serial number is 19114 and it was made before the days of rib matting and the doll's head extension. I loved the engraving!

Here's a few more.

.

[Phillip Carr]

Anyone seen a Lifter with a single trigger? I will share more information after I have a look at it.

[Stan Hoover]

A one seen a Lifter with a single trigger? I will share more information after I have a look at it.

:corn::corn::corn:

[Dean Romig]

Anyone seen a Lifter with a single trigger? I will share more information after I have a look at it.


When he was still in Illinois Dave Trevallion had a AA hammer gun with a single trigger but he converted it back to a double trigger. I believe it was a T/A though. I have pictures he gave me and will post a couple if there is any interest.





.

[charlie cleveland]

I would like to see that single trigger lifter....charlie

[Stan Hoover]

I received my 16 Lifter back with the new stock, I’m quite pleased with the work. A before pic and after.

[Reggie Bishop]

Yes that is very pleasing work!

[Stan Hoover]

When he was still in Illinois Dave Trevallion had a AA hammer gun with a single trigger but he converted it back to a double trigger. I believe it was a T/A though. I have pictures he gave me and will post a couple if there is any interest.

A hammer gun with a single trigger is something I've never seen, lifter or top action.

[Brian Dudley]

I have seen a few top action guns with a single trigger. But they of course were not factory. I know that Jim Hall has one that had a miller in it and he had it pit back to double triggers. I think he said that russ bickel put the single trigger in it. But I may be mistaken.

[Phillip Carr]

Here are a few pictures of the lifter. Records for a letter are available so I will
get one ordered today. Has some warts but it’s interesting. Has screws about ever 2 to 4”
On the top rib. Has a single selective trigger that appears to function. Has a crack in the wrist.
Bores are good and locks up tight.

[Dean Romig]

Beautiful Stan - may we know who did that work?





.

[Stan Hoover]

[QUOTE=Dean Romig;360863]Beautiful Stan - may we know who did that work?

Thanks Dean,

I would love too, but, the gentleman says he has too much work and doesn’t want new customers.
so out of respect, I do not give out his name without asking his permission first.

Stan

[Dean Romig]

Trevallion's AA Hammer with single trigger and beavertail forend.



.

[JAMES HALL]

Brian, you are correct.

[Mills Morrison]

Something about Parker hammer guns vs single triggers and beaver tail fore ends that just don't mix

Now Remington era . . . another story

[Brian Dudley]

Trevallion's AA Hammer with single trigger and beavertail forend.



.



That is a miller trigger.

[Brian Dudley]

Stan,
I assume you restocked it for shoot-ability and dimensions? The new comb does look a bit higher than the original one. The stock work looks perfect, great form!

[Dean Romig]

That is a miller trigger.

Looked like it to me Brian but I couldn’t read the word Miller.





.

[Stan Hoover]

Stan,
I assume you restocked it for shoot-ability and dimensions? The new comb does look a bit higher than the original one. The stock work looks perfect, great form!

Thanks Brian,

Since the existing stock was not original, I wanted to make it true to what a Grade 3 would look like.

The letter stated that it would have had a skeleton butt plate, so we added that and I also copied the Grade 3 Ball grip from the 12 that I currently have.
Now this gun I don’t believe had a completely checkered ball grip from new, but I just really admire the fully checkered Parker ball grip.

The reason I don’t think this originally had the fully checkered ball grip, I had the good fortune of connecting with a fellow member who has the consecutive serial number to this gun which is also a 16 Lifter. These 2 16 gauge lifters were ordered by the same gentleman in 1879, and the letter shows they were pretty much ordered as identical guns.
The replacement stock dimensions had a fair amount of drop, but I shot it fairly well surprisingly. I did bring the new stock dimensions closer to some of the other lifters I currently use.

[Stan Hoover]

:)Hello,
We are enjoying the great weather down here at the Southern, I thought I would share a picture of a lifter:)

[Jay Oliver]

That's beautiful Stan! There is nothing better than a lifter that takes yellow shells :)

[Dean Romig]

What a beauty Stan!
I love those barrels!





.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

shucks Stan, you blocked off your score--I know it would be better than mine. What a beauty. I did go 1 for 1 on a big turkey this morning, pictures to follow on another thread. See you at Hausmann's

[Stan Hoover]

Dean,

This is my first Parker with Laminated Parker barrels, they are quite pretty, but of course I’m biased.

I’m not so sure you wouldn’t have topped my score Harold, I really was struggling to adjust to too many different guns:rolleyes: or that is my excuse

Yes Jay, you’re correct on the yellow shell guns, I hope we can shoot them together at Hausmans.

We had great fun, many beautiful guns and I was able to put faces to names, met a number of fellow Parker members.

Hope to see everyone at Hausmans,

Stan

[Kirk Potter]

Beautiful lifters you guys.. :bowdown:

[Dave Noreen]

Phil Carr, what can you tell us about the Baltimore Arms Co. gun in the background in your last picture?

109210

[Joseph Salomon]

Hello and good morning Stan, I am new to this and just purchased a 32" 10gauge Damascus Parker Brothers shotgun 1880 date. Where can I get a new stock for it?

[Stan Hoover]

Hello Joseph and Welcome,

There is a handful of good stock makers out there, our own Brian Dudley is a very accomplished stock maker.
If you give your approximate location, I believe we can make a recommendation on a stock maker that may be close to you to potentially make logistics easier.
The gentleman who restocked my 16 wishes to remain anonymous due to his workload being manageable.

Congratulations on your purchase, please share some pictures!

Stan

[Joseph Salomon]

Hello and good evening Stan,
I appreciate your patience and advice on this shotgun. I am new to this and not even sure it is worth getting repaired? I hope that the pictures help everyone with my decision. Thanks again, I am near San Antonio, Texas

[Brian Dudley]

The gun is a grade 2 lifter in relatively poor condition. The stock had been broken at some time. And someone felt the need to fox what was not broken and add a very long piece of metal to the top tang to help hold the stock together or to help prevent future breakage. I have seen various examples of this many times before.

When it comes to that area and the wood, the only route to take is to reverse what was done and completely replace the wood. That alone would cost many times more than the gun is “worth” given its cosmetic condition. Add on top of that the other issues the gun may have, and well, you can figure it out from there.

It is a 4 frame 10g which is a little different. That would be a heavyweight 10g. The standard frame size for 10s was 3.

[Joseph Salomon]

Hello and good evening Mr. Dudley,
I greatly appreciate your advice on the gun, with that said what do you think I could even get for the shotgun from someone that could repair and not absorb the cost? I have 762 dollars in it now. Thanks again for your opinion on this.

[Bill Murphy]

A #4 frame gun is a scarce bird. Your first move should be to get a PGCA letter on the gun to see whether the first owner is an important shooter. A #4 frame gun is usually special ordered by someone who can be identified.

[Phillip Carr]

Phil Carr, what can you tell us about the Baltimore Arms Co. gun in the background in your last picture?

109210

Dave I just read your post right now. I did not realize the gun was in this picture. Kind of crazy.
I just sold this gun on the Fox forum this morning. Fell for a very rare rifle I had to have, so a few will need to go to another caretaker.
Like a Sultan on a budget I want them all but only a few are forever.

[Joseph Salomon]

Hello and good morning Mr. Murphy,
Thanks for the information. I will do that and see what comes back in the report. I really like the shotgun and their history, so thanks again.

[Brian Dudley]

Hello and good evening Mr. Dudley,
I greatly appreciate your advice on the gun, with that said what do you think I could even get for the shotgun from someone that could repair and not absorb the cost? I have 762 dollars in it now. Thanks again for your opinion on this.

Less than $762

[todd allen]

Here's one from 1874. Me and her have some history.
109392

109393

109394

109395

109396
109397

[Stan Hoover]

Oh my Todd,

That is beautiful!!

[todd allen]

It's a 30" 12 gauge with Perazzi dimensions.

[Brian Dudley]

It's a 30" 12 gauge with Perazzi dimensions.

The dimensions do look great on that one! What a gun!

[Mills Morrison]

Beautiful Todd! And the zebra is cool too. We got one in Namibia and it was memorable to say the least

[todd allen]

The zebra came to me from a friend who was a taxidermist, and went to Africa every year.
Hagan Thompson, from Las Vegas. Passed away a few years ago.
The story was, that a livestock truck was transporting zebras, and got in an accident, killing one of the zebras.
Hagan and his entourage rolled up on the scene, and Hagan asked if he could skin/cape the dead zebra.
They said okay, and here we are. We were visiting with Hagan regarding a deer mount, and my wife spotted the zebra rug, and had to have it.
Interesting side story: Hagan was a really funny and colorful guy. He (and wife) became friends with a retired stripper, who happened to be African American, and who got into hunting from back in her "work days" in Alaska.
Hagan took her to Africa at least once, maybe twice. Lot's of funny stories, but I've already taken this topic too far into the weeds.

[Mike Koneski]

Hello and good morning Stan, I am new to this and just purchased a 32" 10gauge Damascus Parker Brothers shotgun 1880 date. Where can I get a new stock for it?

You will have to find someone who will restock your double. If the stock is damaged and can be repaired, that'll cost much less. Even if you happen to find a stock from another gun, you'll still need to have it fit by someone that knows what they are doing. A new stock will cost you easily $2000 and up.

[Mike Koneski]

Here's one from 1874. Me and her have some history.
109392

109393

109394

109395

109396
109397

Double guns and pool!! Now you're digging where the taters are!! :bowdown:

[Mike Koneski]

How's this for a lifter? Because in Russia women don't lift weights, weights lift women.

[Stan Hoover]

Mike,
Your idea of a lifter is a little skewed, actually really off.:nono:

I'm trying to get that picture out of my head:fg:

[Mike Koneski]

Thanks Stan, looks like my work here is done. :whistle::rotf:

[todd allen]

Ran across this old picture from about 22 years ago. Me and my old hunting partner, Doctors Gresen (he's behind the Camara)
109604

[Garry L Gordon]

Ran across this old picture from about 22 years ago. Me and my old hunting partner, Doctors Gresen (he's behind the Camara)
109604

Todd, that's a great photo!

[Stan Hoover]

This past weekend I had the pleasure of meeting Jay Oliver at Deep River,

Jay had brought his great 20 gauge underlifter and we put the two lifters back together for a few pictures. (I believe these spent some time together before)?

[Mills Morrison]

Now that is awesome!

[Jay Oliver]

I enjoyed meeting Stan as well. Those guns were both made in 1879 with Parker made Laminated steel barrels. It was nice to see them together. Stan's grade 3 20ga. lifter is just beautiful.

[CraigThompson]

Maybe pics of the two Hoover lifter howitzers will soon be in the cards :whistle:

[Stan Hoover]

If you insist Craig,

Yes, another one followed me home, it is a 6 frame 32” grade 2 with fairly open chokes, .018 & .020. Was hoping to take a spin on the practice 5 stand before waving the Southern on Sunday, but weather and time didn’t allow:rolleyes:

[Craig Larter]

Very nice Stan!! Mike Smith told me he bought a second 8 Saturday at the Southern, GH 36" I think. I'm sure we will see it at Hausmann's, looking forward to seeing you and the new cannon.

[Stan Hoover]

Craig,

I was able to shoulder Mike's new 8, it is a monster with 36" barrels. Looking forward to Hausmans also, maybe we can try the Bo Whoop targets.

Stan

[Dan Steingraber]

I happened by just as Mike was wrapping up the deal. It's a beast.

[Christopher J Martin]

Nice!!!

[James Palmer]

10 ga 2 barrel set with original Parker case.

[Dean Romig]

A Grade-5 James?

What a magnificent Parker!





.

[Dean H Hanson]

This gun is truly spectacular!!!!

[Stan Hoover]

Thanks for sharing this beautiful Parker James!

What is the length of the 2 sets of barrels.

Please post more pictures if possible,
Stan

[James Palmer]

This is a grade 6. Original barrel lengths are 32&28. Original case.

Made in 1876 and although not stated as an exhibition gun it is about 5-10 serial numbers away from the one in the book.

More to come.

James

[Wayne Owens]

James,
Your gun looks like the twin of this gun. This gun was built in 1875.

[CraigThompson]

This is a grade 6. Original barrel lengths are 32&28. Original case.

Made in 1876 and although not stated as an exhibition gun it is about 5-10 serial numbers away from the one in the book.

More to come.

James

James do you have any idea of how much constriction in the 28” barrels ? I assume the 32’s are tight and tighter yet .

[Craig Larter]

WOW! What a gun, what frame size??

[James Palmer]

2 frame.

Will check the chokes when I get home.

[Rick Losey]

beautiful gun - must have been made during Parker's blue period :rotf:

[William Woods]

This is my only lifter; a 10 gauge, 4559, with 30" Damascus barrels. I've posted it before, but not in a discussion specifically about lifters.
X
X

Setters all around, my type of engraving.

[Stan Hoover]

10 ga 2 barrel set with original Parker case.

Hello James,

I would sure like to learn more about this 10 gauge, please post some more pictures when you have time.

Thanks,
Stan

[James Palmer]

Here's a few more I have on my phone... can take measurements etc when home on a few days.

Enjoy

[Jay Oliver]

James, that is just too pretty!!! What a wonderful lifter. Our Rhode Island Parker shoot is Saturday 4/13 if you can make the trip.

[Stan Hoover]

Thanks for obliging James,

That is SPECTACULAR

[Garry L Gordon]

Definitely enjoyed!:bowdown:

[todd allen]

That's a beautiful lifter, James! Thanks for sharing.

[Bob Jurewicz]

This is the only lifter I own. #14331 10 GA. PGCA Letter discribes it as Dollar Grade.
Any other info would be welcome!
Bob Jurewicz

[Brian Dudley]

This is the only lifter I own. #14331 10 GA. PGCA Letter discribes it as Dollar Grade.
Any other info would be welcome!
Bob Jurewicz

It would be considered a grade 2 gun.

[Dean Romig]

A Grade 2 with no birds engraved on the lock plates?





.

[Mike Poindexter]

Similar engraving to my Grade 2 10 s/n 13249 with Parker Lam barrels. Both these guns have the square corner at the breech/flats interface.

[jimlott]

Love seeing these guns, here is the only one I have.
$135 Grade, 14 ga. #1147 1872

[Arthur Shaffer]

For your only one, you pulled a Unicorn out of the hay pile!

[Stan Hoover]

For your only one, you pulled a Unicorn out of the hay pile!

That is a good one Jim,

thanks for sharing,
Stan

[Randy G Roberts]

Love seeing these guns, here is the only one I have.
$135 Grade, 14 ga. #1147 1872

Jim, you're being modest. This gun can also be seen on pages 88 and 233 of TPS. It is quite nice. Maybe we will see you at the Southern?

[jimlott]

Jim, you're being modest. This gun can also be seen on pages 88 and 233 of TPS. It is quite nice. Maybe we will see you at the Southern?

Randy, I will not be able to make the Southern. Hope to some year. And I do know it's in TPS, kinda of fun having one of those but there are a lot of guns in that book

[bob lyons]

My only lifter

[Jeff Sweeter]

Here the only two I have.The top one being a 10 on a 2 frame and the bottom being a 12 on a 1 frame.The 10 has a tight action with MWT of +.050 in both barrels and choked. 035 in right and. 034 in left.The 12 is really tight,has MWT of just under .040 in both barrels and .030 points of choke in both barrels.The 10 is a grade 2 from 1878? and the 12 is a PT from 1883?The bores are pretty nice in both guns.I plan on taking a rooster with these this fall.

[Dean Romig]

Very Nice guns Jeff !!





.

[Dean H Hanson]

I have had the pleasure of having Jeff's 12 Lifter in hand.... it is fantastic. Incredible amount of case color, barrels are sublime, fit and finish is wonderful. True brown rust finish on the twist barrels. An 1884 Lifter isn't all that common, only 50 or so after that made. And forget about it boys, I'm first on the list of rejection to own it!

[Jeff Sweeter]

I met Dean and Matt for the first time a few weeks ago at Pheasant Fest and let me tell you,anyone that got within 50 ft of the Parker display found themselves reaching for their wallet and trading cash for raffle tickets.As far as Dean getting my 12 lifter,he worked me over pretty hard,in fact I had to stop on the way home to check if it was in the case yet or he somehow got it away from me.

[GunnerGrilli]

Just love these old lifters!!!!!!!

[Stan Hoover]

Hey Bobby,
Thanks for showing us those great lifters, I think they're kinda like a disease:)

The top one there, are those Twist or Plain Twist barrels? I've not scene many with the welds that pronounced, is it because it was oxidized pretty heavily and then cleaned up? Is that possibly a 20 gauge that formally resided here in NE PA?

The lowest gun in the picture appears to have Stub Twist barrels, or am I wrong? It looks to have beautiful engraving and is possibly a Grade 5?

love the ball grips on the 2 lower guns,
Stan

[GunnerGrilli]

Hey Bobby,
Thanks for showing us those great lifters, I think they're kinda like a disease:)

The top one there, are those Twist or Plain Twist barrels? I've not scene many with the welds that pronounced, is it because it was oxidized pretty heavily and then cleaned up? Is that possibly a 20 gauge that formally resided here in NE PA?

The lowest gun in the picture appears to have Stub Twist barrels, or am I wrong? It looks to have beautiful engraving and is possibly a Grade 5?

love the ball grips on the 2 lower guns,
Stan


Hello Stan!!


The top gun is 17448, formerly the property of Mr. Koneski and prior to him Mr. Austin Hogan. Well documented in quite a few Parker Pages articles. The barrels are 28" "Plain Twist". I am actively looking for someone who can bring that beautiful old 20 back to life.


The lowest gun is a upgraded "A" Grade. The barrels are Stub Twist.


Yes, the ball grips are a favorite of mine as well! The 2nd to the lowest gun is a B Grade, made in 1874.


Bobby

[Kurt Densmore]

As I was pursuing the thread I noticed that Larry Stauch’s very nice lifter photos from 12/25/21 is one serial number lower than one that I am the current caretaker of. There are some similarities and major differences in the engraving pattern. The dollar grade would be nice to know but it seems as though the page of the book isn’t legible. Unfortunately SN 4560 hasn’t been treated as kindly as 4559.

[GunnerGrilli]

As I was pursuing the thread I noticed that Larry Stauch’s very nice lifter photos from 12/25/21 is one serial number lower than one that I am the current caretaker of. There are some similarities and major differences in the engraving pattern. The dollar grade would be nice to know but it seems as though the page of the book isn’t legible. Unfortunately SN 4560 hasn’t been treated as kindly as 4559.

That is a beautiful lifter!!! Thank you for sharing.



Bobby

[Dean Romig]

I’m guessing a $200 quality. It’s so early that there were very few grade standard features yet. Even engraving coverage and design were left up to the engraver after he was told the level to which he should apply his work.





.

[Dan Steingraber]

As I was pursuing the thread I noticed that Larry Stauch’s very nice lifter photos from 12/25/21 is one serial number lower than one that I am the current caretaker of. There are some similarities and major differences in the engraving pattern. The dollar grade would be nice to know but it seems as though the page of the book isn’t legible. Unfortunately SN 4560 hasn’t been treated as kindly as 4559.

That's a beautiful gun Kurt. Is that a mountain lion attacking a deer on the floorplate? What's the butt treatment? Bring that along the next time we shoot.

[Randy G Roberts]

Kurt, is that the 10 bore 2 frame gun? Nice BTW !

[Kurt Densmore]

Dan, I think that it is a dog and a stag. Hard to tell.

Randy, yes, it is a 2 frame 10 ga. 30” bbls, 8lbs 9oz, .030/.035 chokes

The original stock was switched for a lower grade stock and triggered plate. The butt treatment is a non parker old plastic plate. It deserves to be restocked.

[Jim DiSpagno]

It's supposed to be a wolf attacking a stag