Trying to authenticate this Parker

[James Hunter]

Acquired this percussion cap Parker a few years ago. Sent it off to an "expert" to determine what would be needed to make it usable and verify its authenticity. Didn't go well, he said the barrel was too thin at the end and would need to be cut off. Didn't buy that so the gun has been in the safe ever since. Gun has 36" barrels. I have attached pictures in the hope that someone can give me some info on it. Many thanks!

[John Davis]

Cool gun but it’s not a Parker Brothers. Check the proof marks, probably Belgium made.

[James Hunter]

Many thanks. I did a fair amount of reading on Parkers and was aware there were "non-Parker" Parkers. Figured I ask the experts.

[Brian Dudley]

Apart from the first civil war muskets, charles Parker/Parker Bros didnt make muzzleloaders.

In other words, they never made muzzleloading sporting arms.

[Rick Losey]

the proofs are from Birmingham UK - there were several gunmakers in Birmingham with the last name of Parker starting in the 1700s- I expect your expert knows little of muzzleloaders, if the barrels are rough, cutting a couple inches off isn't going to help.

[edgarspencer]

I expect your expert knows little of muzzleloaders, if the barrels are rough, cutting a couple inches off isn't going to help.

Taking what Rick has said, the thickness of the barrels, at the muzzle, means little apart from being more vulnerable to denting.