1902 DH 30" Damascus:

[Bruce P Bruner]

This Parker was on my watchlist and I got the email that the auction was ending soon. Out of curiosity I brought up the auction to see what the final hammer price would be. The high bid was in the $800's and it was just too low to ignore. I won the auction at $930.50.
It was the gem of an estate collection from a 90 year old who had passed.
The shotgun shows some wear but the Damascus pattern is very vivid and judging by the breech face it hasn't been used much and in original condition. There are still Damascus patterns on the breech end of the barrels, not very typical. I wouldn't normally get too excited about a #2 frame gun, though the 30" barrels are a minimum requirement in my wheel house. Somewhat different on this example, there are ducks on the lower frame trigger plate.
Was it just because it was a Sunday night and the auction didn't receive much attention or has the bottom fallen out on Damascus Parker shotgun values?
I certainly didn't see anything very detrimental in the photos to dissuade my interest in the gun. Oops, a 1903 gun.

[Bruce P Bruner]

More photos.

[David Noble]

What a great deal you got! Good looking gun for sure.
I hope it all looks good after you receive it, but at that price it could have a booger and still be a good deal.

[Bruce P Bruner]

The bores are shiny also. Chuck recently said that Parker letters were slow so I guess I'll do my part and give him something to do. I enjoy giving an old gun a fresh cleaning and oil.

[GunnerGrilli]

Absolutely gorgeous DH!!!!! Nice Job. Heck of a price!!!


Congrats sir.


Bobby

[Bruce P Bruner]

Couple more photos.

[Mills Morrison]

That is a hell of a good buy!

[Garry L Gordon]

And a heckofa nice gun. Great engraving period.

[allen newell]

you got a steal. congrats

[Bill Murphy]

I guess that guy didn't get out much. Nor did his son and grandson. I feel bad for them.

[Brian Dudley]

That is a great gun for the money. The wood is beautifully original. Great clean checkering. The frame is nice with good traces of color in areas. Look at the original blue on the inside of the guard bow.
To me the barrels look possibly to be refinished, but it is really hard to say for sure. There are a few things about them that jump out as suggesting that.

[Bruce P Bruner]

That is a great gun for the money. The wood is beautifully original. Great clean checkering. The frame is nice with good traces of color in areas. Look at the original blue on the inside of the guard bow.
To me the barrels look possibly to be refinished, but it is really hard to say for sure. There are a few things about them that jump out as suggesting that.
I don’t believe this gun has seen the light of day for a long time. If you look at the muzzle and the breach ends of the barrels, those areas can reveal telltale signs of a refinish. It’s almost impossible not to disturb those areas when doing a Damascus restoration or even a slow-rust job, such as buffing and the removal of patina.
I have an original Damascus GH 16 gauge that was supplied by Parker Bros. to the 1898 Boston Show. Aside from the grade of Damascus, the condition and appearance of the barrels on the two guns look very similar.
As always Brian, I appreciate your insightful appraisal.

[Brian Dudley]

Actually the look of the breech face is what is suspect to me. A factory gun should have the breech face polished off bright. On this gun, the damascus pattern is visible on both sides in spots. That is not typical of factory finished barrels. Also, the barrels are completely void of any real signs of wear, which also suggests that they may have been refinished at some time. But, maybe not. It is just observations on this fine example of a DH.

[todd allen]

I would have thought that gun would be in the 3k range. Amazing times!

[Bruce P Bruner]

Actually the look of the breech face is what is suspect to me. A factory gun should have the breech face polished off bright. On this gun, the Damascus pattern is visible on both sides in spots. That is not typical of factory finished barrels. Also, the barrels are completely void of any real signs of wear, which also suggests that they may have been refinished at some time. But, maybe not. It is just observations on this fine example of a DH.
I can't comment on the Damascus patterns on the breech face, though photo forensics are interesting. I submit a possible area of not so recent staining or corrosion. Surely this would have been remedied if refinished. Without having the gun in hand, steadfast observations are difficult at best. There are other small areas of staining and also some scratches in the barrels finish.
Something to consider when evaluating is; Do all of the parts show consistent wear? And if not, why? All in fun...

[Bruce P Bruner]

I would have thought that gun would be in the 3k range. Amazing times!
Interesting times indeed.

[Bruce P Bruner]

I’m very impressed, a brand new one wouldn’t lock up any tighter. A deal of a lifetime. The engraving is crazy good. I’m looking forward to the letter.

[Brian Dudley]

Photos can be funny. The first ones you posted dont show as much color on the bottom of the gun. And these show a ton a beautiful colors. Like you said, photo forensics. You can only go on what you see at the time.

[Bruce P Bruner]

Photos can be funny. The first ones you posted dont show as much color on the bottom of the gun. And these show a ton a beautiful colors. Like you said, photo forensics. You can only go on what you see at the time.
The first photos were from the auction house.

[Bruce P Bruner]

How can I top this one? Never say never.

[bruce a lyons]

Well done! Was on my watchlist. A keeper.

[Keith Doty]

Congrats! I was watching this one trying to figure out where the giant "fly' was, just too nice for the $$. When you get it in hand I hope you torture me with the perfect condition of the bores!

[Bruce P Bruner]

Congrats! I was watching this one trying to figure out where the giant "fly' was, just too nice for the $$. When you get it in hand I hope you torture me with the perfect condition of the bores!
I’m not sure this is torture, I’m not talented photographing bores. Hopefully you got the giant fly. The bores are mirrors.
After dry fireing on snap caps you better bring your “A” game to to open the gun, it’s tight as new.

[Keith Doty]

Wow! Now I'm seriously regretting not pursuing this one, bores is what I was worried about. What a nice gun at a great price, good for you! Glad it ended up with someone that will shoot and appreciate it. Way more color than the auction photos showed.

[Bruce P Bruner]

The factory letter confirms the configuration, the requested chokes were RH modified, LH full. Ordered by the Marshall Wells Hardware Co. of Duluth, MN to be sent to Carl Engal of Butte, MT on November 3, 1904. Carl Engel (1871-1956) owned a successful sporting goods store in the lively mining town of Butte, Montana that sponsored local shooting events with the Butte Rod and Gun Club. He was later deputy sheriff in Butte (1925-1931) during the prohibition years.
The price was $100.00.

[Garry L Gordon]

My favorite year for Parkers -- 1904. Great engraving style and wonderful craftsmanship...and your gun has so much going for it in its condition.

[Michael Moffa]

Ok, in the small world of Parkers, the serial number of one of the Dentist's Rondels in the Fall issue of DGJ is 3 SN's away. Great engraving in that era. Also the next gun that was being written about for a future traveling Dentist article was sold directly to Carl Engle in Butte per the Factory Letter. It is a 2 frame 20. Mr Engle sold custom shotgun loads. He may have been developing heavy twenties 3"s for the latest fad.