QUESTION TOP LEVER HAMMER GUN #35XXX

[ed good]

this is a 12 ga field grade gun with what appear to be the usual twist steel barrels. the top rib is only stamped as follows:

PARKER BROS. MAKERS MERIDEN CONN.

with no indication as to the type of barrel steel.

have never seen this before. have you?

[John Dunkle]

You fellows all set?

I'd suggest you keep it on topic...

Thanks,

John

[Dave Purnell]

Here's one.

[ed good]

wow! luverly damascus pattern. who redid it?

also, your roll stamp pattern is smaller than mine.

[Dave Purnell]

It's Dam-1 Damascus from 1884, on a grade 1 top action. Dale Edmonds did the refinish. He said it was the largest Damascus pattern he'd ever seen.

Dave

[Dean Romig]

That came out really nice Dave.

[Bill Murphy]

Dave, I have a rare D1 gun with extra large pattern like yours. Shortly after I found my gun, I saw another for sale on the internet for a reasonable price. Is the gun I describe the one you own? I hope so, because I am sick about missing it. I shot my gun at the Smith versus Parker hammer gun shoot in 2010. It was the first time I had shot it. I think the large pattern looks outstanding when finished like yours. As I remember, the gun offered for sale that I didn't buy had a serial number in the 40s quite close to mine. According to TPS, Parker Brothers made 161 D1 (Damascus barrel grade 1) top action guns in 12 gauge compared to about 2250 12 gauge top action grade 1s in other barrel steels. Your gun is probably the nicest of the 161. I have a baggo top action guns in my collection, but this Grade 1 is exceptional. It was part of a "Lightweight Damascus Parkers" display at an early Connecticut Fine Guns show and at a Maryland Arms Collectors Association show several years ago. Thanks for showing us your great gun. Maybe you could tell us more about it and post more pictures.

[Dave Purnell]

Hi Bill,

The Dam-1 that I have may very well be the one you were looking for. It's number 42732, a 12ga with 30" barrels, made in 1884. It's choked light full and improved modified, weighing 9lbs-2oz, with a 2 frame. It's marked as grade 1 and letters the same. The letter says it was ordered by Shreve and Wolf in San Francisco.

The wood is in very good condition, with visible checkering. There are no remaining case colors. Unfortunately, the frame has pitting at the bolsters and around the hinge pin. After I bought this gun I found a MoldMender micro welding machine on Ebay for a reasonable price. I intended to get proficient in it's use and fill the pits. But, I'm too shakey for such fine work. So, I sold the welder to a fellow PGCA member who was interested. I'm still hoping he will get up to speed on the use of this machine. He could make a good little business of filling pits and repairing barrel cracks, etc., to the benefit of us all.

Bill, besides being a grade 1, that we both collect and enjoy, there is another feature of this gun that you will like. Remind me to show you the next time I see you.

Dave

[Bill Murphy]

Nine pounds, two ounces is enough to impress me. My D1 is a 28" lightweight on a #1 frame. I will look forward to seeing what different feature you gun has. My gun is #41,238.

[Dean Romig]

Dave, is that a skeleton buttplate I see?

[Dave Purnell]

No Dean, it's a steel plate.

Dave