D3 1886 Lifter 2 Barrel Set:

[Bruce P Bruner]

Throwing all caution to the wind I pounded the “Buy it Now” button early this morning. 24 others viewed the new listing before me. Item was listed as a 12 gauge, being a #4 frame and the Serialization Book says 32” 10 gauge, extra code #1, added barrels, I’m confident it’s a ten. Perhaps one set is a 12 and the other is a 10, could be. I PM’d the seller about the bores, since their shop is located in California and they didn’t open until 10am I wasn’t going to wait it out. One set of barrels is definitely Oxford, unstruck weight of 6lbs 14oz, the second set is something else, though both are 32”. The photos aren’t clear enough to identify the pattern. It comes complete with the original leather tri-compartment two barrel case. Serial number 47282, 1886 is getting pretty late for Lifter production. It does however have a “dogs head” butt plate, but that wasn’t going to deter my unbridled ambition. It looked righteous enough for me. Having an instinctive nature I pulled the trigger.
As a huge plus, I just got off the phone with them. He said the bores are beautiful!

[Bruce P Bruner]

A few more.

[Jack Kuzepski]

Congratulations, that is beautiful!

[CraigThompson]

Nice ! I assume you and the set in question are coming to the Vintage Cup :whistle:

[Bruce P Bruner]

I’m still pondering whether it’s a 12/10 two gauge set. Other than that perhaps one set extra full and the other more open. But both sets at 32” is odd to me. Is there such a thing as a four frame 12 gauge? I need to crack open my Parker Book. No such thing as a 4 frame 12 gauge. There were 156 Grade 3 Lifter-Action guns with 32” Damascus Steel “Dam3” barrels. I scanned the Serialization Book for another Grade 3-32” 10 gauge with an extra set of barrels and found none.

[Craig Larter]

Very nice Parker, I almost hit the buy it now button myself but talked myself down. Congratulations!!

[Bill Murphy]

What a gun. I can't wait for the PGCA letter.

[Garry L Gordon]

What an interesting gun...and case(!)

[keavin nelson]

Very nice Bruce, should be great fun to shoot!

[Bruce P Bruner]

I have located the leather case supplied by Parker in Dean Weber’s post earlier this year. His case matches my Lifter case, even the blue interior compartment. The case was called a “pressed seamless case”, though it looks like stitching was later added.
Since there were no cars around in 1886 the case couldn’t be called a “motor case”, a “carriage case” would be more appropriate.
https://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=38658&highlight=barrel+set

[bruce a lyons]

Was on my watch list. Well done!

[Bruce P Bruner]

I held off on the letter request until today. I waited for the shotgun to actually be paid for. It will be insured for the full amount, not that it means anything.
Being a later Lifter (fourth variety 1881-1907) it has all of the desirable design enhancements. Some of the improvements were the solid head plungers (firing pins), enlarged extractor, the addition of the check hook (a positive stop feature when the barrels are opened to the extreme).
By the mid 1880’s lifters were rarely made. The existing stock books show that only about 25 lifter guns were produced after 1890, though they were not dropped from the catalog until 1902. A total of approximately 25400 lifter-action Parker guns were made. The last one found in the stock book was made in 1907.
Information per TPS.

[charlie cleveland]

you done good to buy this one.......I hope one set of the barrels are 12 ga.....charlie

[Bruce P Bruner]

you done good to buy this one.......I hope one set of the barrels are 12 ga.....charlie

Me too Charlie!

[Bruce P Bruner]

I briefly had a conversation with the employee at the Arroyo Grande, Ca. gun shop. I inquired about the previous owner and if there were any accessories brought in with the gun. No luck with accessories. The previous owner was an elderly man who said the shotgun was his grandfathers. He had taken the shotgun in for consignment. I requested the employee contact the gentleman and find out if he would agree to speak with me. It’s my duty to try. We’ll see.

[todd allen]

Gathering all available history on any antique guns we purchase is not always possible, but it is our duty to try.
If there is any existing connections to the guns previous ownership by all means, reach out.

[Steve Huffman]

Not sure if this is out of line but what was the BIN price of this very nice gun?

[Bruce P Bruner]

Too much, always prided myself for getting outrageously low prices for quality shotguns. The exception was this one. I wanted it and that’s about it. I asked myself if I could find another one, umm no. I’m just a short term caretaker anyway, but I guarantee this one is going to make some serious smoke for me.

[todd allen]

These old Parkers are good at turning clay into diesel smoke!

[davidboyles]

Well done responses from a collector and appreciator of fine old arms. Know you will enjoy hopefully finding out more history on this Big Boy just as I have on my small collection of Parkers and growing collection of J P Clabrough's.

[Bruce P Bruner]

My interpretation only, knowing some records are missing.
The Serialization Book lists 43 Parker Lifter two barrel sets.
8 gauge - 1
10 gauge - 15
11 gauge - 1
12 gauge - 26
Early “D” quality (quality or grade indeterminate)
28” - 3 12 gauge
32” - 2 12 gauge
Early “O” quality, four digit sn. quality code zero
30” - 2 12 gauge
32” - 1 10 gauge
Early “DS” quality, low quality decarbonized steel
26” - 1 11 gauge
Early “T” quality, twist steel used on low grade guns
26” - 1 12 gauge
Grade 2 guns (E,F,G & H) with Damascus steel barrels
24” - 2 1- 10 gauge, 1- 12 gauge
28” - 2 10-gauge, 1- 12 gauge
30” - 5 1- 10 gauge, 4- 12 gauge
32” - 1 10 gauge
“PT” quality code, grade 0 guns with plain twist barrels
26” - 2 1- 8 gauge, 1- 12 gauge
28” - 4 3- 12 gauge, 1- 10 gauge
30” - 3 12 gauge
“D3” Grade 3 guns with Damascus steel
28” - 3 2- 10 gauge, 1- 12 gauge
30” - 2 10 gauge
32” - 3 1- 10 gauge, 2- 12 gauge
“D6” Grade A guns with Damascus steel
30” - 2 10 gauge
“L2” Grade 2 Laminated Steel
30” - 1 12 gauge
“T0” Grade zero with twist steel
30” - 1 12 gauge

[GunnerGrilli]

Bruce that is a Fantastic Parker, you did well to pick that one up. Congrats sir. Very nice.


Bobby

[Bruce P Bruner]

Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Chuck Bishop for his expediency in researching my shotgun. Thank you! :bowdown:

Note the length of the shells ordered. :eek: Mr. Tibballs was certainly outfitted adequately. The 3-1/4" paper shells were probably empty hulls to be hand loaded. Three inch nickel shells will have to be substituted with 2-7/8" ones, due to availability.
I have identified the Laminated barrel set as “Pointille” pattern, found on many grades of Parkers around c.1890. Some Lettered Damascus guns actually are fitted with Laminate Steel barrels.

Hello Mr. Bruner,

Parker shotgun, serial number 47282, was ordered by H.L. Tibballs of the Washington Territories on February 13, 1886 and shipped on April 4, 1886. According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 16, it was a Quality D, Lifter Action Hammer Gun, 10 gauge. It featured Damascus steel barrels with a length of 32 inches and choked to shoot “close”. Also ordered was a set of 32” Laminated steel barrels requested to be bored cylinder. Accessories ordered were: #320 Shell top gun case $12.00, #87 Ammunition case $7.00, #330 Rod $3.00, #213 Choke bore cleaner $.85, #1145 Breach cleaner $1.25, #31 Closer $1.75, 3 dozen 3” nickel shells $9.00, 200 paper 3 1 4” shells $2.60, #1185 Capper $1.25, and #83 Cartridge belt $6.50.

The price was $185.45 less 20%.

According to Parker Bros. Stock Book No. 17, the stock configuration was a capped pistol grip and its specifications were: Length of Pull: 14 1/2”, Drop at Heel: 3”, Weight: 11 pounds and 1 ounce with Damascus barrels and 10 pounds 11 ounces with Laminated barrels. The chokes were patterned RH 200 pellets and LH 200 pellets of size 8 shot in a 24” circle at 45 yards for the Damascus barrels and RH 125 pellets and LH 125 pellets of size 8 shot in a 24” circle at 45 yards for the Laminated barrels.

[Stan Hoover]

Thanks for sharing your great acquisition Bruce, that is a great find.

Stan

[Bruce P Bruner]

I requested some more photos before the gun was packaged for shipment. I was pleasantly surprised when I learned that the gun will ship to my home. Considering it’s being shipped from California it’s one more blessing I can count. The packager said the 12 gauge shell was loose fitting. Chambers look clean. The breach walls appear rather thick. Looks as if it’s in need of good oil wipe down.

[charlie cleveland]

is it a 12 ga.....just hoping for you....charlie

[Bruce P Bruner]

is it a 12 ga.....just hoping for you....charlie

No luck for that Charlie. The Damascus set is choked and the Laminate set is cylinder. Both sets are 10 gauge, letter says 3”. Kind of wonder if it’s really 3” or the norm of 2-7/8”. I’ll measure everything after FedEx shows up.

[Jim DiSpagno]

A set of “Lil Skeeters 10 ga to 12 ga remedies that problem. Like shooting a back bored 12 ga

[CraigThompson]

A set of “Lil Skeeters 10 ga to 12 ga remedies that problem. Like shooting a back bored 12 ga

Blasphemy !!!! If ya got a 10 shoot 10’s in it :rotf::rotf::rotf:

[Bruce P Bruner]

I have more shotgun’s than I have time to shoot. If I want to shoot a 12 there are plenty to choose from. I am aware of gauge reducers, just never felt the need. Jim, I appreciate your thoughtful suggestion. I’m happy to hand load the old fashioned way with all brass shells. They have never failed me. Slow and time consuming, but I have a lot of time on my hands.

[CraigThompson]

Since I’m okay with the 10 gauge 1 ounce load pushed with Green Dot and have seen it break clay birds at a fair clip I may on Monday try my top lever hammer 10 two barrel set on dove and use the set of 26” barrels I shot at Rock Mountain in the grouse walk . Those barrels BTW are both quite quite open as the letter indicates .

[BRIAN HONN]

I am trying to Value a Single Barrel Trap Serial #178518 can anyone help with this I will post pictures within a few days.

[Bill Murphy]

Please post your question in the "Single Barrel Trap" subforum.

[BRIAN HONN]

Bill I see that I posted under wrong thread.

[Dean Romig]

That sir is one of the very best PGCA Research Letters I have ever seen.
Congratulations on every aspect of this aquisition!!





.