Parker Brothers 1878 Double Barrel 'Damascus Steel' Grade GH 12 GA Shotgun

[Robert P. Smith]

My grandfather left to me this Parker Brothers 1903 Double Barrel 'Damascus Steel' Grade GH 12 GA Shotgun with 30" barrel. This firearm carries the serial no. 117684.

I am interested in obtaining some feedback from the knowledgeable members of this forum about both the condition and the market value of this particular shotgum.

If any additional photographs or information would be helpful, please let me know what you need.

Thanks in advance for any information anyone cares to provide.

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[calvin humburg]

You are one lucky fellow!!! Thats one Great Parker. It's a 1903 gun. How about some closeups of the engraving. Again do you know how blessed you are. Best ch You should join and get a better deal on you letter. Find out more about it. Oh get some good screwdrivers and fix the screws. If you fell you have the ability. Is that a 1 1/2 on barrel lug. What's on the buttplate a dog with woodcock?

[Rick Losey]

looks to be a very nice gun, are the bores as clean as the rest of it?

[Robert P. Smith]

Rick,

Yes, the bores are immaculate.

[Robert P. Smith]

Fishtail: Thanks for the correction re. the date of manufacture.

[Dean Romig]

Robert, if you post more pictures, don't use a white background. Use a neutral or darker background so we can see the details of your gun better.

[Steve Huffman]

Nice gun from what I see ! Is that rear trigger ok ? Looks to be hanging back aliitle maybe just the angle of picture. kind of GH I been wanting.

[Ed Blake]

You must be your grandfathers favorite grandson. Nice gun.

[Robert P. Smith]

How about some closeups of the engraving? What's on the buttplate - a dog with woodcock?

Robert, if you post more pictures, don't use a white background. Use a neutral or darker background so we can see the details of your gun better.

Calvin / Dean: I've uploaded a new set of images below. Thanks for the tips.

Is that rear trigger ok ? Looks to be hanging back a liitle - maybe just the angle of picture.

Steve: after reading your comment, I took a close look and the rear trigger is fine. It operates normally.

You must be your grandfathers favorite grandson.

Ed: I suppose I was his favorite -- I was his only grandson.

[scott kittredge]

WOW, LOVE IT!!!!:bowdown:

[Brian Dudley]

Yes! Beautiful gun! And the gray background made a world of difference in the photos.

Calvin was right. If you take the time, or spend the money to have it done. Timing all of the screws correctly would be a great investment in the gun. Really, that would be nearly anyones major complaint with this gun is the screws. The good news is, that all of the scres that are off are left of 12 o'clock. It is then they are past 12 that it gets more difficult. They might just not be snugged down all the way, or maybe some dirt under the trigger plate is preventing them from being tightened down all the way. The buttplate screws should be facing north/south as well.

What a great thing to remember your grandfather by.

[Dean Romig]

Thanks. That GH is in wonderful condition. I hope you enjoy shooting it often.

The three floor plate screws might simply be in the wrong locations (holes).

[Robert P. Smith]

OK, so I've read the link on this website regarding the availabilitly of a PGCA Research Letter for the Parker shotgun pictured above.

Since I already know a fair amount about this particular shotgun (i.e. date of manufacture, barrel length, gauge, grade, etc.) I'm unclear about what additional value one gains by obtaining a PGCA Research Letter.

I would love to receive a fuller explanation of the benefits that such a letter provides. Anybody interested in expanding on the benefits?

Thanks for your time,

[Rick Losey]

Since you know the basics, what the letter might add is who ordered the gun, and whether or not it had been returned for service.

[Brian Dudley]

You never know how much a letter will tell you. It may not tell you much on top of what you already know and it may give you a lot of additional and very interesting information. Either way, it is a nice thing to have with your gun that is based on hard facts.