I was just looking through members albums and found a Wells coach gun and I see what you mean.

Mr. Dennis is a very lucky man. Congratulations!

Brett, here's a comparison of two 10 gauge hammer guns; the "goose gun" on the top has 30 inch barrels, and the one on the bottom has been cut down to 20 inches, apparently for coach gun-type use (the shortening happened a long time ago, and note the alluring wire-wrapped stock). Most of the "guard" guns would have been in the heavier gauges.

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...yname/guns.jpg

Steven, this is the gun I predicted it would be, a very rare 20 gauge Plain Twist Steel barrelled, 0 (zero) grade lifter action hammer gun. The Parker Story, the research vehicle for all things Parker, tells us that there were probably 3 20 gauge Plain Twist lifter guns made out of 11,866 in all gauges. There were probably 2 20 gauge Stub Twist or Twist lifter guns made out of 2,376 in all gauges. In the first generation of lifter action guns, before grading was assigned, there was one 20 gauge made, with Damascus steel barrels, out of 1,983 guns in this pre 1875 era. Some of our researchers have located and written about the surviving 20 gauge lifter action Parkers. I do not know where yours stands in the chronology, but these researchers will come forth with information for you. Both that I am aware of post on this forum and will be reading this thread. I will say that our research files include repair orders for Parkers and may include a repair order for the work on your barrels, if they are, in fact, not original length. Your PGCA letter will include any repair order that pertains to your gun if the pertinent book exists. Some of our old order and stock books have been destroyed over the years and we do not have copies of the missing books. Good luck with your letter. You may get some private messages from collectors interested in purchasing your gun. I, along with many other Parker collectors would be interested in purchasing your gun, so be patient in making a decision.

I wonder where the third one is... :coffee:

Hey Bill and B.Dudley. Thanks sooo much for your insight. I don't think my stepdad knew he had a nice shotgun either. I already got one message about buying it. I told them that I don't even know what it is worth. I will take your advice. I guess the next step is to get a PGCA letter?

Real cool Parker and nice gift from your step dad. A very nice family heirloom. Yep... send for the letter real soon and post what it says. Everyone will be curious what it says.

Definitely get that letter! Then don't jump on anyone's offer before you know it's real value.

That is just too cool having a gun that rare coming out of the woodwork. In good shape too. Not a one of us wouldn't love to own it.

Is it tight? grab barrels and pistol grip see if it has any lash between barrels and frame. GREAT GUN!!! If you sell it let us know because there are gun buyers out there who have no morals and would give you 100 dollars and sleep at night. Point being "bottom feeders" ch O and I being mentaly challanged would probably take it upland hunting what a great light gun.

Looks to be some choke in the barrels.

Does anybody have any idea why the lock plate does not fit so good not trying to be nit picky just wondered.

I am not a gunsmith, but believe that the lockplate, aside from being supported by the opposite lockplate, is otherwise only supported by wood inside the action. The next owner will probably have the wood repaired, bringing the lockplate back where it belongs. It is not something that should be done at this time by less than an extremely talented restorer.