1890 B4 12ga. Value

[Richard Conway]

I inherited this gun a few years ago and have been trying to determine the approximate value. The numbers seen to vary a lot and I know something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. I sent off and got the research letter and this is what I know. It doesn't have the original butt plate and the engraving appears to be worn off, after all it is 121 years old. It is solid and shoots.

Serial Number : 61097
Grade B4
CH hammerless 12-gauge
Bernard Steel barrels (length of 30 inches)
Stock configuration was a capped pistol grip.
The chokes were patterned RH full (180 # 8pellets in a 30” circle at 45 yards) and LH full (180 # 8pellets in a 30” circle at 45 yards).
The order specified trigger pull set at 3 ½ pounds.
Length of Pull: 14 1/8”
Drop at Comb: 1 7/8”
Drop at Heel : 3 1/8”
Weight: 7 pounds and 12 ounces.

Price was $150.00

The production of Grade 4 guns with Bernard Steel Barrels, C grade, was 473 total. Parker Brothers only built 494 guns total with Bernard Steel Barrels.

This gun was ordered by George Worthington Company in Cleveland, Ohio on April 30, 1890 and shipped on August 4, 1890. According to Parker Brothers order book no. 25.

10270

10271

10272

10273

10274

[Ken Descovich]

I am sorry Richard but I do not see any pictures of a Parker Brothers shotgun.

[Richard Conway]

I think you must be logged in to see them, not sure.

[Ken Descovich]

Richard,
I do see the pictures that you posted, they are not pictures of a Parker Bros shotgun, can you take a close up picture of the name on the shotgun?

Ken

[Richard Conway]

There are five pictures with the post. There is Parker markings on the side plates and the barrels are the same benard steel barrels in the books. You can see the serial numbers in the pictures.

[Bill Murphy]

That is not a Parker shotgun. Please post the picture of the Parker markings.

[Jack Kuzepski]

I may be wrong but that is a Baker hammerless sidelock gun.

Jack Kuzepski

[Richard Conway]

I will have to take a picture and get back to you. How can you tell it is not a Parker? I was wondering if the stock had been replaced, the forearm appears to be original for sure.

[Jack Kuzepski]

The gun you've shown is a sidelock gun, a Parker (hammerless) is a boxlock. The forearm is orignial to the gun. When you look at the pic of the bottom of the barrels you will see a set of "wings" on each side of the lug. When you look at the water table you will see the corresponding slot for the lug and those wings. To my knowledge, only Baker shotguns had them. See the rod that goes thru the lug, when you put the gun together that rod will be pushed the other way when you put the forend on. That rod is the cocking mechanism for the locks. The top of the reciever looks like a Baker.

Jack Kuzepski

[Richard Conway]

Jack, You are correct. I got out a large magnifiying glass and it says Barker Gun on the side not Parker. I was told it was a Parker and never looked that close. Not being a gun collector i never paid that much attention. I never even heard of Barker until today. I inherited several guns, I guess I better check them all very close to see what they are. It might make it easier to value than a Parker. Thanks so much for your help. It is amazing what the experts know about their items.

[Dave Noreen]

You might want to check out this site --

http://www.bakercollectors.com/index.php?p=1_6_History-of-William-H-Baker