Need information on Parker 12 gauge DH

[Chrisgray]

Hi there,

A friend of mine asked me to research his shotgun. He told me it was a parker and said it had belonged to his grandfather, long passed away.

I started researching Parkers and here is what I found out.

1.) The top of the barrel says the following:

"Parker Brothers Makers Meridien Connecticut Damascus Steel"

2.) The markings on the underside of the barrel indicate the following:

Frame Size= 2
Barrel Weight= 4-6 (superscript)
Serial #= 85657
Grade= 3 or D
Gauge = 12 (based on dropping a snap cap in the chamber)

I'm attaching a couple of photos of the shotgun, a closeup of the receiver, and the serial number.

Here are some specific questiosn which I have:

1.) Is this gun shootable with the correct ammuntion?

2.) If I need to have a gunsmith check it out in Southern California (LA area), can anyone recommend someone who could do that?

3.) Approximate value? My friend is not interested in selling it but I suggested that he look into getting insurance since it might be valuable.

Thanks for your help

http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt45/chrisjgray1970/singapore5232011006.jpg

http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt45/chrisjgray1970/singapore5232011007.jpg

http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt45/chrisjgray1970/singapore5232011001.jpg

[Dean Romig]

Contact Jim Thyne or Jerry Kitto at Ivory Beads in Covina for value and a recommendation for a gunsmith who can examine it for safe shooting.

[Patrick Lien]

It appears that the front trigger is missing.

Pat

[Dean Romig]

And that the left ejector rod is missing or broken.

[Mark Landskov]

Are beavertail forends less than common? I don't know much about single triggers, but is that some sort of selector where the missing trigger should be? It is a nice looking gun.

[George Lander]

Chris: You friend's Parker, SN 85657, shows in "THE BOOK" as a D3 or D Grade Damascus gun, no extras, capped pistol grip stock, 30 inch barrels, hammerless 12 gauge. It appears that the beavertail type forearm was added later. As noted, only one trigger is showing. Could it be a single trigger gun? And one extractor appears to be missing. Depending on the overall condition of the gun & if the bores are not pitted the gun should be worth in the $1,000 - $1,200 range IMHO.

Best Regards, George

[Bill Murphy]

Because of its interesting modifications, this gun could have some just as interesting provenance. Order a PGCA letter on your gun to see if some important competitor may have ordered your gun. This could add to the interest and value of your gun.

[Dave Suponski]

Gent's, I agree that there is a broken/stuck ejector signal rod in this gun. But I believe we are seeing an early Parker single trigger installed here. A 85,000 serial number gun with ejectors,single trigger and trap forend could be a very interesting gun and if it were mine I would get a letter on it. We could use some more pictures too...

[Paul Ehlers]

I think the left ejector rod is just covered "obscured from view" with foam from the case it's sitting in.

Interesting gun. I fully agree with contacting Jim or Jerry at Ivory Beads in Covina. They will be able to point you in the right direction.

http://www.ivorybeads.com/site/RunScript.asp?ap=asp_counter.asp&p=ASP\~PgDefault.asp

[Dean Romig]

Yup, Covina.

I'll change my previous post. :o

[Dave Noreen]

Looks like a very interesting gun. Started life as a DH-Grade and was at some time back to Meriden for installation of a single selective trigger and ejectors. I strongly recommend getting a letter on the gun from the PGCA historian. My gut feeling is that the beavertail forearm is not "factory" work, but several more pictures of the inside of the forearm and the forearm loop on the barrels may change that opinion. I also second taking it to Jim & Jerry at Ivory Beads.