Just got my first Parker 12 gauge.

[Rick Parker]

I recently acquired a Parker 12 gauge Hammer Gun. By looking thru the site I have figured out that the Serial # 8430 tells me that it was manufactured in 1876. She has a Plain Twist barrel, however I cannot find the Grade marking. She is rather plain, no engravings, and steel buttplate. The stock is a little different than those that I have seen pictures of...the neck which is usually capped at the bottom is rounded. One of the hammer screws is mismatched and she has a few dings and hickies on the stock and forearm. The bore seems to be in pretty good shape, a good cleaning would do wonders. Some minor rust on the barrels, which I would love to clean, but have been advised to just oil. Also, there is a small ping on the end of the barrel. I have included a pic of it...what would be the best method of repair for that? Somebody please fill in the gaps and tell me what I have....thanks in advance.

[Dean Romig]

The book says your Parker No. 8430 is a 10 gauge PT (Plain Twist in reference to the barrel steel) Underlifter with 30 inch barrels. It is probably the lowest grade and is likely to be a Grade 0.

[Rick Parker]

Dean,
Any idea what the T stands for?

Thank you for the quick response.

Rick Parker

[Dean Romig]

The 'T' with the crescent above and below is Parker Bros. stamp for Twist and was used in reference to Twist, Plain Twist and Stub Twist barrel steel.

[Chuck Bishop]

The T inside crescents represents Twist steel barrels made up of a composite of steel and iron. The ding at the muzzle can be easily fixed by a gunsmith. Have the gun checked out by a competent gunsmith familiar with vintage guns before you consider shooting it. Then if shootable, use only low pressure loads.

[Rick Parker]

and the stock? would that be original? I am full of questions...lol. Based on your earlier comment she is not of any great value being a Plain Jane...but, she is almost 140 years old. How extensive should I clean her? as far as rust removal and such? or just leave the patina and keep her oiled. What are the things I should look for or address before attempting to fire her?

Told ya, full of questions....lol

[Dean Romig]

Rick, it looks like the checkering on the grip is filled with old crud/oil and can be cleaned up to look really nice. One of the things you can do as you clean up the rest of the gun is to properly clean and refinish the wood to its original beauty... but be careful! Use no sandpaper or abrasives, just use light solvents and soft brushes. Be patient... slow and easy gets the best result with these old Parkers. Yes, the stock looks original.

[Chuck Bishop]

We would need better pictures of the entire stock. Most of these early guns were straight grip and I notice your pistol grip trigger guard tang has 2 screws. I'm not quite sure if this is correct for a pistol grip although pistol grips weren't that common on those early guns. Give us more pictures of the gun to help us.

The best way to get rid of minor rust is use a bronze scrub pad found in hardware stores and gun oil. Go lightly and see the rust disappear. You can also use the bronze pad and oil to clean out the inside of the barrels.

[Rick Parker]

notice different screws on hammers...hope this is pics needed to confirm stock.

[Rick Parker]

a couple more pics of stock

[Rick Parker]

Pa SxS, IF this is the original stock, and since you said pistol grips weren't common in that day...wouldn't this set up be a "special order"?, or at least a little more rare? maybe adding to the dollar value of the setup. I know she is a Plain Jane.,.but I am looking for at least something special about her....lol In other words, would it be worth sending the stock to a professional?

Rick Parker

[Rick Parker]

It looks to me that someone had tried to fill something and was sanding it...had to be recent, because it looks to be done with a disc sander that got away from them...cant some people just leave things alone? I bet she was pretty even with all her nicks received over the last 137 years. The stories she could tell if she could talk.

[Chuck Bishop]

The Serialization Book and Stock Book says it should be a straight stock. More than likely, the trigger guard was modified from a straight design to a curved design for the pistol grip, hence the 2 screws seen. It may have been a Parker pistol grip stock off of another gun but it's really not important. The gun is not valuable even with the original stock. Just clean it up and enjoy it either shooting if safe or as a wall hanger.

[Rick Parker]

Thanks for the information. I don't think the gun is worthless...it is a 137 yr old Parker, it should have some inherent value. However, I have no dellusions that I had found an expensive gun. I really like the gun, would love to shoot it, and besides, my name is on it.....Parker....lol How, or where do I find the info you used to answer my questions about the stock? Not that I doubt you at all....quite the opposite, I want to learn as much as I can.

Thanks again,

Rick Parker

[Chuck Bishop]

I'm the Research Chairman and I have copies of the original Order and Stock books.

[Rick Parker]

So? does this information you have tell anything about the original purchaser? or just the info of status as it left the plant? My wife saw me rubbing on it with a cloth, and said that if I did that to her, we would get along better...lol

[Rick Losey]

on a lower grade gun- the original purchaser/receiver may well be a dealer or sporting goods store.

[Brian Dudley]

It looks to me as if that buttstock is a replacement. There are several things about it that do not look correct for a Parker of that era. The guard is longer than a PG guard should be, and it does have 2 screws, which is not correct. The checkering pattern is not correct either, it comes up far too high against the locks. The lock panels are a bit too defined. And the shield on the top is too large and not the correct shape for a Parker.

But, the fit of the stock looks to be good.

The gun does have value, but "value" is all relative. It is not rare or in super high original condition. But it has the value of any other Parker shooter of that age. Not a bad find for your first hammer gun.

[Dave Suponski]

It is my belief that the stock on this gun is original. I once owned an early lifter in the 3000 serial range that had the stock shield that was larger than we are accustomed to seeing and I have also viewed a few others that were likewise. The checkering looks correct albiet pretty dirty with crud. We must remember that the straight grip was very common on early guns but the half pistol grip was the next most seen. Capped pistol grips came much later and ball grips are only seen on higher grade guns.