DH or GH?

[Justin Julian]

Advertised and appears to be frame marked as a DH. But the engraving pattern sure looks more like a GH. Any theories?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=266110959

[Dave Suponski]

The book says Damascus Grade 3 or D grade. These early hammerless guns varied from what we consider the norm at times.

[Justin Julian]

So what's the consensus.....are these early, less elaborate D grades of comparable value to the later examples? Is it worth the opening bid? The wood sure looks nice.

[Carl Erickson Jr]

I have a GH that was built at about the same time as the gun on GB. While the engraving and quality of the wood are similar, The engraving on the gun on GB is more elaborate. I would like to have that gun!

[Dean Romig]

It is a very early Grade 3 hammerless (DH). The earliest hammerless Parkers had relatively sparse engraving in comparison to that of just a few years later when the level of engraving was elevated to what we commonly see on Parker guns right through the Remington guns.

The thing that perplexes me is the dog's head hard rubber buttplate. But then the 'drop points' aren't cut in the shape we are accustomed to seeing on DH guns of the Meriden era.

[calvin humburg]

Dean has a good point on buttplate. Find out frame size. Is it worth the money thats your call it's a cool gun. BUT as Bruce has told me time and again if you buy a gun with issues is that what you are going to see every time you pull it out of the case?? Issues can be fixed as well. Good luck ch

Perplexes, There you go again Dean. :)

[Bill Murphy]

Yup, that's what the very early DH grades look like. I have one exactly like that. I don't know much about the real condition of the one on gunbroker, but the gun is represented as redone. The pictures sure don't tell you much. The seller is OK, sets up at Allentown and York gun shows, will send you a gun if you send him money.

[Brian Dudley]

It states that the gun was restored. Maybe the buttstock is not original. Though the engraving is light for most D grades, it is more profuse than a G.

[Kurt Densmore]

Some of the one piece hinge pin guns also have a bent top lever. This one has the typical dog on the bottom of the action that the later D grades do not have. A few of the D grades have lettered with the hard plastic butt plate instead of the skeleton butt treatment. If you don't like the plastic butt a good gunsmith can chop the stock and add a silvers pad for a little cash. Wonder what frame size and weight?

Kurt

[Steve McCarty]

I'm holding my early GH up to the pictures of this gun and IMHO the gun for sale has better and more detailed engraving. I think it is a D grade gun. The engraving shows more coverage and it has considerable more detail. Nice wood, but my GH has wonderful wood too.

I also think it is a wonderful gun! I paid a G for mine and this is a better gun by a ways. The damascu barrels look identical to mine. The engraving on the trigger guard is much better than that upon my GH. My gun has very little engraving on the opening lever...none as a matter of fact. The gun in question has a lot.

[Jay Gardner]

Early D, for sure. I have one of a similar vintage with the same style of engraving (but with a squatting setter on the right side). Is it just my eyes or is the screw under the top lever cocked a little?

[Mark Ouellette]

So which Parker guy is going to grab this DH at the last minute for $1600?

That would be a great buy! The barrels are a couple inches too short for me...

Mark

[Steve McCarty]

Oh, I see; someone put about a grand in the re-do. It does look nice. I've got a similar gun. If I was made of $ I'd buy this. I like the gun and it is a good buy.

[Justin Julian]

Surprising that there's no opening bid yet. However, I did ask the seller for the LOP from the front trigger two days ago and never got a response. Perhaps others are experiencing the same thing with this seller and declining to bid as a result.

[Craig Parker]

Justin, I sent email out and no response also. Maybe they are on holidays still but could not stand it anymore. With somethings maybe wrong and maybe barrels honed(dont know) I still like it. Who knows could be a buy. Craig

[Justin Julian]

Doubt its been honed, as it still shows some pits. If the action is tight and the stock's LOP is reasonable, which it appears to be, its hard to see how you could go wrong if you can get it for the opening price. Good luck, and keep us posted!

[Craig Parker]

Well bid held up, guess get in hand and see what it is. If all good will out chasing quail next day. Craig

[Mark Ouellette]

Congrats to you Craig!

When you get the gun measure the minimum barrel wall thickness. Anything else can be corrected and you will still have a screaming Parker for little money!

Mark

[Russ Jackson]

Congrats. Craig ,I sent the seller two e-mails on the Frame size and still haven't heard from him !!!!! Good Luck with her ,she looks like a nice gun ! Russ

[Craig Parker]

Thanks Guy's, When it gets here I'll report back with some info on it. Thanks Craig

[calvin humburg]

I like early engraved guns (but I likes em all) out of the norm tell us frame size, great gun. Heard they took the cheeze factory out of Watonga:cuss:

[Craig Parker]

Calvin, yes moved out to Texas panhandle. I have been up in the Rockies for 4yrs and back for 6mo and the town dries up more and more. No backing or support to hold it here from the uppers I heard, funny thing was held the festival w/o factory here. Will report on gun when it gets here. Thanks Craig

[Craig Parker]

Well got it picked up today and I really like it. Going to measure it out tomorrow, its on #1 frame and LOP 14.5". A big plus I like the all the dogs on it. Craig

[Craig Parker]

Thought I put up some pic's of the gun, I'm behind on measuring bores but plan to get done tomorrow. Any thoughts on who did the work? Thanks Craig

[Justin Julian]

Craig, do you think that's a (high quality) restock? The wood almost looks too proud of the metal at the seams to be 120 years old. I really like the setter on the floorplate. If it locks up tight and the bores look good, I think you made a sound investment. Run a box of RST maxi-lites through her and let us know how she shoots.

[Craig Parker]

Justin, one side is proud with the other flush. Thinking about pulling guard and butt plate to check maybe. Checkering is too strong for age I think too, lockup and bores are great.Got a box of RST out and ready to try. Plus put 32 bobwhites out today to help the poor lonely covey on the farm. All and all I'm happy with it. Thanks Craig

[Steve McCarty]

Nice gun! This looks like a GH to me, and it has a lot of nice case color. The wood looks right to me and similar to my gun. While no expert, this looks like original color to me and very nice indeed. Look at the color on the fences! Great Parker. Enjoy!

Now that I have studied the gun more I think the engraving on the foreplate has more coverage than my GH...might just be a DH...Actually I think so. Anyway, I love your gun.

[Bill Murphy]

Nice gun, good buy. Not a theory, not a maybe. It's a DH grade, as marked. That's what early D grades look like, as several posters have mentioned.