Cases sold with parker hammer guns circa 1882

[George M. Purtill]

This top lever 12 gauge was ordered with 24 others by HD Folsom in 1882. I assume it was sold therabouts with this case. I bought gun and case for $400only because I love the case and have always admired the fitted walnut cases found with this period Parker gun.
The gun is 27607 and is in very rough shape. I would love to have the barrels cleaned up just to show off the case better.

Were these cases a standard Folsom or Parker item?
Who made them?
Any insight is appreciated.

[Rick Losey]

brass shells and reloading tools AND a Parker

:bowdown:

a search will show several threads about the cases and variations

i just want to say nice find, how bad is very rough? can it be brought back as a shooter?

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

George, You did well with that purchase, The case is worth the price you paid for the entire lot!

[George M. Purtill]

brass shells and reloading tools AND a Parker

:bowdown:

a search will show several threads about the cases and variations

i just want to say nice find, how bad is very rough? can it be brought back as a shooter?

Rick
The brass shells were mine [only one parker 12A there[ but the reloading tools came with it as well including some kind of plunger thingy marked Parker.
Rough--- heck I dont know but i wish you wise men lived near me so I could have someone thake a look. Barrels dont face the receiver very well. plenty of pitting in the bores but I dont have tools to measure anything.

[Greg Baehman]

It sure does appear that the case was custom-built to fit the gun...which does suggest the case was Parker-built or Parker contracted, but doesn't rule out an aftermarket purchase.

[Bruce Day]

George, H D Folsom was a distributor to hardware, gun and farm stores and was a major Parker customer. As usual in the lower grade guns, many were purchased for stock. During the time your gun was made, Parker was still making black walnut gun cases with accessories. I have looked at a number of them and have not been able to find a Parker mark on the case, yet we know it was Parker made because of factory records. It is highly likely yours is original to the gun, looking at the close made for the gun fit, and is Parker made. Yours is slighly different than those I have seen in that the shell carrier block is contoured to match the grip curve.

Gary Carmicheal, who responded to you above, is an expert in the hammer Parkers. Although your gun appears to be a lower grade gun, maybe an 0 grade, it appears to be intact and uncut at both ends. If it were mine, I would have the barrels refinished by Brad or Dale to bring out the beauty of the composite steel, the stock refinished , properly of course, to bring out the beauty of the wood, and the action metal cleaned up. Often there are a surprising amount of case colors left on the sideplates of these old hammer guns, which become visible after the crud and dull oxidation is removed.

These cases accumulate a lot of dirt inside and out. I'd carefully clean up the case, and probably handrub new finish into the outside wood if there is just an aged dirt and oil finish remaining.

You have a real prize in that original gun and case combination, something to proudly show and preserve. Nothing wrong with shooting it either and having some fun on birds or targets.

Here are a couple Parker walnut hammer gun cases owned by a friend. I have a hammer C without a case, and long term, I've thought about making or having made a reproduction case. We published dimensions of these cases at one time, and I understand at least one fine woodworker in our organization is starting in.

[David Holes]

Bruce, thanks for the pictures, again. Dave