Rediscovered Old Parker

[Jeff Dafler]

Hello, all, and thank you for all of the great information in this forum and on the site. Over the weekend, I was reexamining some guns inherited from my grandfather and realized that one of the guns is an early Parker. I entered the serial number (01157) into the PGCA search, and it told me the gun is likely pre-1874. I believe it is a 12 gauge with 30" barrels. It seems to be in fairly nice shape for a gun of that age. There is rust and wear, but the only major damage appears to be a left hammer with the top broken off. The action is smooth and the barrels tight.

I'm posting some (poor) photos I took with my phone so you all can have a look. I'm interested in restoring it but don't know the first place to start. Appreciate any advice.
Thanks,
Jeff

[Jeff Dafler]

Some photos of the identifying info...
Jeff

[Brian Dudley]

There is something I really like about early back-actions.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

what part of the country are you located? There may be some folks near you that could give good advice, a good hands on evaluation would help. How are the bores?

[Joe Dreisch]

The straight stock with back action locks is very sleek looking. How do the bores look? A Frontier pad and some solvent would go a long way toward waking this sleeper.

big45metalcleaner.com

[edgarspencer]

You're a lucky man, Jeff. Your gun looks to be in remarkably good shape. GO SLOW. Avoid abrasives. Lots of good intentions turn out to be irreversible. You'll find all sorts of tips and tricks to bring your gun back, right here.
One more word of caution; you're going to find yourself looking at the classifieds, and spending the egg money on more Parkers. Like old age, it's an illness you'll have to learn to live with. No one is even working on a cure.

[Jeff Dafler]

what part of the country are you located? There may be some folks near you that could give good advice, a good hands on evaluation would help. How are the bores?

I'm in NE Ohio, Harold. I plan to take a closer look at the bores this evening and will report back.

[Jeff Dafler]

You're a lucky man, Jeff. Your gun looks to be in remarkably good shape. GO SLOW. Avoid abrasives. Lots of good intentions turn out to be irreversible. You'll find all sorts of tips and tricks to bring your gun back, right here.
One more word of caution; you're going to find yourself looking at the classifieds, and spending the egg money on more Parkers. Like old age, it's an illness you'll have to learn to live with. No one is even working on a cure.

I've had a hard time thinking of much else since I got this gun out to take a closer look! It was actually my grandfather's grandfather's gun. The last thing I want to do is anything that would damage the gun. I plan to just start with some patches and solvents to clean up the bores and action a bit. I'll keep exploring this site for tips and welcome any advice.

[Dave Tatman]

Jeff, I'm located just south of Youngstown in Columbiana, here in NE OH. Where are you located? I'd be happy to catch up with you sometime to take a look at this discovery, if you'd like. And Kenny Graft, who owns Shooting Star Gun Shop in New Middleton, is a great source of information on these old beauties.

Dave

[Gerald McPherson]

I sure hope my grandson gets that excited when he gets my grandpas JC Higgins 12ga pump gun with cut barrels. I once killed 5 Quail on the covey rise with it. Congratulations Jeff.

[Jeff Dafler]

Jeff, I'm located just south of Youngstown in Columbiana, here in NE OH. Where are you located? I'd be happy to catch up with you sometime to take a look at this discovery, if you'd like. And Kenny Graft, who owns Shooting Star Gun Shop in New Middleton, is a great source of information on these old beauties.

Dave

Thanks for reaching out, Dave. I live in Massillon, so not far at all. I'd welcome the chance to catch up with you and Kenny sometime. I'll try to send you a PM if I can figure out how that feature works.
Thanks again,
Jeff

[Brian Dudley]

With a gun like this, proper cleaning and repair, if needed, is all that you really want to do to it. Making it look like new, or doing partial restoration work would not be a good idea.

[Arthur Shaffer]

About 2 months ago, I bid on one very near it in serial number and similar in specification. It had a totally missing hammer and quite honestly was pretty much a wreck. I wanted it because you don't see Parkers this old very often. My oldest is in the 4000 range and a whole other class of gun. This one, too me, is in really nice condition all things considered. The one I bid on went to what I thought was a silly level at the time considering condition. I would let someone knowledgeable examine the gun in person before I did anything bu clean the barrels in a normal way and lube evertyhing to protect it.

[Jeff Dafler]

About 2 months ago, I bid on one very near it in serial number and similar in specification. It had a totally missing hammer and quite honestly was pretty much a wreck. I wanted it because you don't see Parkers this old very often. My oldest is in the 4000 range and a whole other class of gun. This one, too me, is in really nice condition all things considered. The one I bid on went to what I thought was a silly level at the time considering condition. I would let someone knowledgeable examine the gun in person before I did anything bu clean the barrels in a normal way and lube evertyhing to protect it.
Thanks for sharing that story, Art, and the advice. I plan to proceed in just the way you described.
Jeff

[Harold Lee Pickens]

I'm from Ohio also ,Jeff and Dave , born and raised in Belmont County, high school in Jefferson County. Still work and own a farm in Belmont, but now live just across the river in Wheeling, WV.
I shoot/hunt with a couple Parker hammer guns, but nothing as old as yours.

[Bill Murphy]

I believe the Private Message (PM) feature is only available to PGCA members.

[Jay Oliver]

Jeff, That is a nice back action Parker your Grandfather left you. I would put the manufacture date at 1872 based on what I have read. Overall the condition is pretty good. Most back actions I see are very rough.

I have a few that I shoot with black powder and smokeless loads. I have Serial#s 01079 and 01081, not too far from yours. Does a 12 gauge shell fit? Some of these early guns are in a few other gauges: 10, 11, 12, 12b, 14 so that would be nice to confirm.

Then I would gently clean it and go use it as Parker hammer guns are just too much fun to shoot :)