"New" Top Lever:

[Bruce Bruner]

Hello, I recently traded for an 1885 manufactured "Top Lever" Parker Hammer gun in 12 bore. The gun has mirror bores that I am extremely pleased with. It has a metal butt plate, capped pistol grip, locks up nice and has real strong hammer springs. I have what I believe is a Grade 1, but I am unsure about that. It has modest engraving and lacks the zigzag side panels I have seen on some. The grade designation was not marked on these as you know. Perhaps you more experienced members could share your thoughts with me. I feel the top lever is an under appreciated model based on the information available in the serialization book and the PGCA website. I have been waiting for my "GH" to return from Michigan and this one became available so I decided that I needed it. Please check out my photographs and yes I plan on being a PGCA member as soon as finances settle down a bit. Thank you all, Bruce

[Dean Romig]

Nice one Bruce. Congrats!!

[Mark Landskov]

Very nice, Bruce. Lookit the pattern on those barrels! Yours is the first I have seen marked 'STUB TWIST'. Enjoy!

[Dave Suponski]

Very nice Bruce, I like the late long frame top lever guns. They make great shooters.Congratulations

[calvin humburg]

Yes, and a flower on the rib extention pin cool!

[Bruce Bruner]

I just weighed the old girl and she came in right at 8 lbs. The "Parker Gun Identification & Serialization" book has the gun listed as "ST"- Lower Grade Gun with Stub Twist Barrels, 849 total guns. Also "Capped Pistol Grip" and 30" barrels. All of these identifying features are present. I measured the bores at .724 and .729 at the muzzle, not exactly tight, we could say "Quail#1 and Quail#2. I'll pattern the gun with #7's, perhaps this weekend at 35 yards and count holes in a 36" circle. I'll wager to say 25 yards will look better...Ha Ha

[David Holes]

Bruce, It probably has a bore diameter close to .750. That would leave a nice mod or light full.

[ed good]

is nice gon!

[Bruce Bruner]

Holeshot, I noticed when pushing a mop through the bores there is considerable constriction the last 2" or so. I've been cleaning the bores for days using rubbing compound, "Hoppe's", and "Brasso", all by hand. It seems like the "black" will never end, though considerably less now. I must be careful not to ware the bores too thin! To the touch the bores are smoother than a baby's butt. For a finishing touch I rubbed "Watco" Danish Oil on the barrels exterior and left it for a few hours and wiped off any extra. The front sight bead was ivory but unfortunately has been broken off. It has a very small ivory mid bead so I can still line up the target using the mid bead and the remaining front sight base. I'll not attempt to replace the front sight bead myself. I'll probably end up shipping the barrels somewhere for that task. Thank you all for your kind and helpful replies.

[Rich Anderson]

Bruce you did well my congratulations to you. Now the sickness progresses:rotf:

[George M. Purtill]

...... and yes I plan on being a PGCA member as soon as finances settle down a bit. Thank you all, Bruce

We are the best $40 you will spend. Welcome aboard in advance.
......and thats a nice gun. You will enjoy shooting with us.

[Dean Romig]

There is considerable constriction the last 2" or so.


That generally translates to about 3" - 4" of choke. Just about right I'd say.

[David Holes]

That tells me you have plenty of constriction, I think that really clean stub twist barrels are probably hard to find. I think you have a real keeper . Shoot it and enjoy. Dave

[Mills Morrison]

Very nice gun. :bowdown:

[David Noble]

Bruce, that's a neat 12 bore you've got there, but since you won't need it once your GH gets back from Michigan, I'll be glad to take it off your hands and even let you make a buck or two on it. :whistle:
Just pm me when the time comes.:)

[lee r moege]

Bruce: And another one bites the dust!!! Welcome to the wonderful, frustrating, and satisfying world of Parkers! Very nice piece, congratulations, there are still some out there if you look hard enough and diligently enough. Havea great day and I hope you find a bunch more. Every one we save is a piece of history not thrown in the trash can! Lee.:bigbye:

[Paul Plager]

You just have to love those laminated barrelled hammer guns.
Bruce that sure is pretty. Be careful you dont get a 10 ga. :eek:they are even better than the 12s.:whistle:
I'm glad that another Parker found a good new home.

[Bruce Bruner]

Yes, I appreciate the craftsmanship of yesteryear. Tomorrow I'll be picking up another twist steel side by side. It's been a long wait for the background checks to go through here in Colorado, about 11 days. My new acquisition is a hybrid of solid steel and twist barrels. The first four inches of the barrel and hook system are milled from a solid block of steel (mono-block) and the twist barrels are threaded into it (some way). It's a classic J. Stevens Model 360, made in about 1905. Production only lasted for a year or so. The idea behind this model was to provide twist steel barrels with the additional strength and security of the solid steel mono-block. I'll post photos on the "Other Fine Doubles" forum. I can't wait to pattern and dust some clay's with these classic doubles.