Here is a pre-1912 loading.....

I have looked through some of my old Union Metallic Cartridge Co. catalogues, and find their 8-gauge shells were only offered loaded with bulk smokeless powder or black powder. I don't find any 8-gauge loadings with dense smokeless powders.

In 1903, 04 and 05, UMC's 8-gauge shell was the "Trap" shell, green in color. Bulk smokeless powder loads were --

5 drams with 1 1/2 ounces of shot
5 1/2 drams with 1 3/4 ounce of shot
6 drams with 2 ounces of shot.

In black powder loads they offered --

5 drams with 1 1/2 ounces of shot
5 1/2 drams with 1 3/4 ounces of shot
6 drams with 2 ounces of shot
6 1/2 drams with 2 ounces of shot
6 1/2 drams with 2 1/4 ounces of shot
7 drams with 2 ounces of shot
7 drams with 2 1/4 ounces of shot.

None of these catalogues mention the length of the shell these loads are put up in. UMC's primed empty 8-gauge paper shell, equivalent to the "Trap" shell, was headstamped "Expert" and was offered in 3 1/4 inch length for $25 per thousand, and 3 1/2 to 4 inch lengths for $28 per thousand.

By 1910, the "Trap" and "Expert" were gone and the 8-gauge offerings were in the "Arrow" shell, Salmon color. Bulk smokeless powder loads offered were listed as being in a 3 1/4 inch case --

5 drams with 1 1/2 ounces of shot
5 1/2 drams with 1 3/4 ounces of shot.

There was no offering of loaded extra length 8-gauge shells.

Black powder loads offered were --

5 drams with 1 1/2 ounces of shot
6 drams with 1 3/4 ounces of shot
7 drams with 2 ounces of shot.

The "Arrow" primed empty 8-gauge shells were stamped HANDLOADED on the side and were offered in 3 1/4 inch length for $25 per thousand and the 3 1/2 to 4 inch lengths for $28 per thousand, and all carried the notation "bulk powder only."

Adding to the above, through the 1915-16 Remington Arms-Union Metallic Cartridge Co. catalogue the 8-gauge offerings remain the same as 1910. By the 1918-19 Rem-UMC catalogue the primed empties are only offered in 3 1/4 inch length, the black powder loads remain the same, but bulk smokeless is only the 5 1/2 drams 1 3/4 ounce load.

Anyone know the going rate for a Parker 8 gauge? I would eventually like to get one for my collection.

That's interesting information on the loadings. I've looked at the overshot card on every factory loaded 8 gauge shell I've ever seen and none have been any heavier than 1 3/4 or 1 1/2. I'd like to have a 2 ounce or a 2 1/4 for my collection.


Destry

Mills, that's like asking the going rate on a Parker, sometimes you can find and 8 ga for $7,000 or $8,000 in fair condition and then up up up :shock:

Good point and I have noticed there is a wide variation of prices.

How many eight gauge Parkers have you seen to have noticed a "wide variation" in prices? Remember, asking prices are not "prices", they are dreams. What variation have you seen in selling prices?

http://www.pugsguns.com/findItem.action?id=867

http://www.pugsguns.com/findItem.action?id=1438

http://www.pugsguns.com/findItem.action?id=1440

http://www.pugsguns.com/findItem.action?id=1437

Here are a few for sale.

http://www.pugsguns.com/findItem.action?id=2318

The coat of varnish may be hiding a decent gun! Good luck in your quest. Cheers!