New Member from Tennessee

[Franklin Brown]

I have a Parker Bros. 16 Ga. Double Barrel I inherited from my dad. I am 67 years old and as far back as I can remember he had this gun. I think he said he traded for it in 1951-52. I used the Identification Guide on this site to run the serial number and determined it was manufactured in 1897. I am not interested in selling, the sentimental value is greater than any dollar amount, but I would be interested in knowing it’s monetary value. Is there someone who could help me understand all of the stamps and markings? Thanks.

[John Knobelsdorf II]

Welcome to the forum.

Please post pictures, show us as many as you can. *

Condition is most important to value. Configuration after that.

Wish I had a family Parker Bros. shotgun. I would put the value for that at: priceless.

* 85641

[Franklin Brown]

Thanks! This is a great gun, but my dad carried it in woods and fields hunting for about 30 years. So it has some “wear marks”. He stopped using it after he noticed some corrosion in the Twist barrels. I will post some pictures soon.

[Garry L Gordon]

Welcome! What John said, plus if you share the serial number, you might be able to get even more information. You’re young at 67, so you have time to put some of your own wear marks on it.:)

[Franklin Brown]

Thanks!
I have a few pictures I want to upload but will have to resize them.

[Franklin Brown]

Well, looks like that worked. What can you tell me from the markings?

[Dean Romig]

All we can tell you by those pictures is that it is a PH (Grade 1) 20 or 16 gauge on the 0-frame size with Twist steel barrels. Your gun's serial number is not in the Serialization book but you can get a Research Letter on it which will tell you more.





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[Franklin Brown]

Thanks Dean.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

An O frame 16 ga PH is a nice little gun. The exterior of the barrels looks to be in good shape from what we can see. How bad is the pitting in the bores? Can you show us pictures of the stock.

[Franklin Brown]

More pictures.

[Franklin Brown]

More pictures of engraving.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Looks like a nice old shooter, in decent condition. Looks like someone put some shellac on the wood, but that's no big deal. I guessing the bores can't be too bad based on the rest of the gun. Maybe there's a Parker guy near you who could look at it, or a local double gunsmith. I shoot 3/4 and 7/8 oz reloads thru mine.

[Franklin Brown]

Dad shellacked the stock when I was young.
I tried to get a picture of the bores but was not able to.

[Franklin Brown]

If I had a borescope I would try to get some pictures of the corrosion pits.

[Brian Dudley]

Photos of pitting would not tell us anything. If you are looking to determine the severity of pitting, you need to measure the barrels with the proper equipment.

[Franklin Brown]

Photos of pitting would not tell us anything. If you are looking to determine the severity of pitting, you need to measure the barrels with the proper equipment.

How would I do that?
I wonder if there is a gunsmith in my area who can do this?

[keavin nelson]

Franklin,
I have it's sister, my PH 16 0 frame is my favorite mudbat/grouse gun! Many of the old guns we shoot have some pitting in the bores. An inspection by someone knowledgeable about barrel condition and perhaps a bore cam looksee is in order.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

I own it's older step sister ser#66×××. Barrels cut to 26.25 in, pitted, and some very unusual "fix" to the grip. Love the wood however. Also a PH 16 Twist

[Scott Gentry]

Franklin what part of Tennessee are you from? I am in Franklin Tn and have all the equipment to inspect your barrels and would be glad to help.

[Franklin Brown]

Franklin what part of Tennessee are you from? I am in Franklin Tn and have all the equipment to inspect your barrels and would be glad to help.

Kingston.
That is very neighborly! Thank you. Hopefully we can arrange a day for me to come over sometime this spring or summer. 😃

[Franklin Brown]

It’s another year and I have not done anymore with the Parker. I would still like to have the barrel corrosion evaluated, somehow. I would actually like to fire it again for old times sake. I haven’t hunted in decades, but enjoyed it as a younger man.

[Brian Dudley]

Well, make it happen.

[Franklin Brown]

Well, make it happen.

True!