1887 Parker Bros Hammer

[Neal Ercolano]

On a recent trip to Alaska, I stopped into a gun shop that had a side room dedicated to older firearms on consignment. A 10-gauge immediately caught my attention — exposed hammers, clean lines, and a brass stock shield for initials. The price was modest, and the condition looked excellent, so I brought it home.

After a closer look, I realized it was manufactured in 1887, which surprised me because at first glance it could easily pass for a mid-20th century gun. The overall condition is still very sharp for its age.

I’ve attached photos for reference. I’d love to hear from anyone familiar with this model — do I have something fairly ordinary here, or could it be considered a more special/collectible example? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0c5-h0IJdyxZsX3N92kOYw-sQ

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0carXmHefQQfin3ogUMbMtxnw

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0ddl_4M8w1bvcs6akU-ks_VZA

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/006GgA5LaT37HG2Bb284izPgw

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0abICCeV27qr5c5RdOwecbmoQ

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/04fqLQXTv2Ihl2qq4HOZMq2XQ

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/041LCLcQQxRg9-3KOfoLFByqw

[Dean Romig]

Heeey… that might be Richard Flanders’ outhouse stalagmite reducer…





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[Stan Hoover]

Heeey… that might be Richard Flanders’ outhouse stalagmite reducer…





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No,

I think Art may own the famous outhouse 10 gauge, or did own.

I was wrong, it was purchased by Bruce Brunner.

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0e6CFVuRgZtXPqxCcjcU0SqGQ

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0c8jn7T2q4YhC_AxuJWhgIlKw

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0c8jn7T2q4YhC_AxuJWhgIlKw

[Austin J Hawthorne Jr.]

Hi Nick.
It looks pretty worn, but may still be useable if the bores are not pitted or badly dented. Does it rattle when shaken and is the stock sound?

[Neal Ercolano]

Hi Austin,
What’s your real interest in it? It’s a bit off to come on here and say my 138-year-old gun looks worn. This piece has never been in the field and has never been used. The patina on the metal and the darkened wood are simply the marks of time—it’s essentially a museum piece. No checks in the wood, no scratches. I’d love to see photos of your 138-year-old gun so we can compare conditions.

[Austin J Hawthorne Jr.]

Hi Austin,
What’s your real interest in it? It’s a bit off to come on here and say my 138-year-old gun looks worn. This piece has never been in the field and has never been used. The patina on the metal and the darkened wood are simply the marks of time—it’s essentially a museum piece. No checks in the wood, no scratches. I’d love to see photos of your 138-year-old gun so we can compare conditions.

Nick,
It seems as though you have taken my questions as an attempt to demean your gun. I assure you that is not the case. Most of us in the PGCA have purchased our Parkers to use..collect..or refurbish, and with those goals in mind
my questions were meant to offer assistance rather than critisism.
Regards,
Austin

[Bill Murphy]

Your pictures don't show a gun that has never been hunting. We would like to see better pictures in better light. It well may be a museum piece.

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/016uoAOFV338FMhtSJ-YAjotA

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0326Ecp5u6bMIyyMS8YnMpb7w

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0a2-UQSCV88eKrB-gUwOG5HbQ

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/041aEbIuhpSLie_CYRXDpEFvw

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/066IkZqyEa5NmZZ_L1S_-uNtQ

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/046HAH_XxihU4uTUoFUFdGCHg

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0f4-JyF_8XIEL0HEZq2AC1LoQ

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/08bZqBz4sfzw-C0n6MUVms02w

[Neal Ercolano]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/079cbichp6TdLupzKktUiH9EQ

[Neal Ercolano]

Your pictures don't show a gun that has never been hunting. We would like to see better pictures in better light. It well may be a museum piece.
I’ve added a few more photos to better show the condition, as best as I can with my basic iPhone. I took the gun outside in natural, indirect light for a clearer view. Maybe it’s a common piece, maybe it isn’t—I’m not sure. What I do know is that it’s new to me and very special. I also started another thread that shares the backstory on this gun. Somehow these additional photos ended up in a separate thread, but reading the backstory might help put them in context.

[Dean H Hanson]

I am curious. For a gun that has never been in the field or used, why would the screws have been turned. Most notably on the tumblers. Why is there no case color remaining? Why has the checkering become smoothed and worn? Why is the barrel pattern silvered? Why is the head of the stock so dark, as to appear to be oil soaked? I couldn't find the other thread for the backstory, which may answer these basic questions any Parker enthusiast might ponder. The gun is in reasonable condition. Not museum condition.

[Bill Murphy]

That gun has been hunting, end of story.

[Harry Collins]

If you have it restored Laminated Steel barrels look beautiful. I really like your Parker. I have a 10 and 12 gauge Lifter Parkers. Both from 1881. I shoot them ofter. In fact the 12 is my go to sporting clays gun.

[Arthur Shaffer]

Harry

Are those two regular laminate or Parker laminate? The pictures are too small for me to see with any degree of certainty. I am guessing the former but may be wrong. I believe 1881 would be a good time to have procured a Parker laminate.

[Neal Ercolano]

If you have it restored Laminated Steel barrels look beautiful. I really like your Parker. I have a 10 and 12 gauge Lifter Parkers. Both from 1881. I shoot them ofter. In fact the 12 is my go to sporting clays gun.

Dear Harry Collins,

Your guns are absolutely beautiful—stunning pieces, and the pictures capture them so well. I really like the gear too. I never imagined PB 50842 could look that amazing, but if the Alaska 10 gauge can be brought back to that kind of condition, I’d love to know how it’s done.

Thank you for your note—it’s a real pleasure connecting with you here.

Warm regards,
Neal

[Dean Romig]

Harry

Are those two regular laminate or Parker laminate? The pictures are too small for me to see with any degree of certainty. I am guessing the former but may be wrong. I believe 1881 would be a good time to have procured a Parker laminate.

Parker Bros. produced their own Laminated Steel barrels in latter 1877, 1878 and early 1879.





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[Harry Collins]

Both Lifters have Twist Steel barrels. I will try to post a photo of laminated barrels on a Birmingham 14 gauge precussion shotgun. They failed to post. I'll try again.

[Lloyd McKissick]

http://i.imgur.com/QYZAm9Oh.jpg (https://imgur.com/QYZAm9O)

Yet another 1887 Parker hammer. This one is not a museum piece either. Twist steel, 1 frame.

The fellow I got it from is a member here. He used it to take a nice turkey last Spring.

These guns are quite well-made (even in the entry level grades) & are uniquely American tools, to be used in the art of "shooting flying" (or even for home defense, I suppose).

I prefer the former.