1878 Parker bros

[Brandon Hunter]

Parker Bros
Pat'd Nov 13 1866
"MAR23 1875
Ser# 13553 (1878)
Barrel- PLAIN TWIST (30")
Grade- XU
Frame- 2 (10,12)
Weight- 5535?
Overall Length- 46 1/2"

After comparing it to my 870 I'm pretty sure it's a 12 gauge but I'm still not sure what I have here.

[Brandon Hunter]

And I'm obviously having problems shrinking and loading my photos

[Brandon Hunter]

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[David Hamilton]

Try putting a 12 ga shell in it and if it is loose it's a 10. Those lifters are great to shoot if the gun is in good enough condition. I have an earleir 10 that I shoot with 10 ga and 12 ga shells with a guage mate insert. David

[Brandon Hunter]

Simple solution to a simple problem. Lol. Definitely 12. Now I'm just trying to figure out what model it is. Any idea?

[Robin Lewis]

Brandon,

I suggest you go to the main home page www.parkerguns.org (http://www.parkerguns.org) and click on the "Parker Identification" link and the "Parker Grades" link found along the left side of the page. I think you will find all you need to learn there.

[Brandon Hunter]

@Bindlestiff,

I used all the tools to identify everything above and it was a great help. But, the grade "XU" is what's puzzling me and keeping me from identifying the model. I did read that the earliest Parker Bros. shotguns like mine weren't graded.

[John Dallas]

Where in Mich are you located? There are a number of Parker guys here who should be able to help