Dave,

Nice Parker you have there. Grade 1 most likely. Does it have any checkering on it? Hard to tell by the pictures. If it has no trace of original checkering, it may be an O grade (even though it has engraving on the locks). It looks to be in Fair to Good condition overall. Looks tight and solid. My only concern would be the barrels. Look to be pitted on the outside with little finish showing. How are the bores? 32" is a good length, anything longer than 30" is usually a bit more sought after. The hammer screws are not correct. You can get new replacements from Tom Carter here on the Forum.

Thanks B. Dudley,
The stock does not have any checkering but is in very nice condition regardless that it’s 130 years old. Everything seems tight and works freely. I do not want to devalue the gun by cleaning the exterior. I don't know what a "good, better or excellent" bore should look like so I cannot grade them, though I don't see any pitting. I am aware that the hammer screws & washers are not original, but I thought the person that purchases the gun should make the call on the condition (originality) of the piece. By looking at its current condition, I can imagine that this gun has seen many birds over the years, and was most likely treasured by the owner.
It’s hard for me to imagine anyone putting a piece of family history like this gun up for sale.
Now it’s just a nice classic firearm for sale with an unknown history.

Dave: that lifter Parker is the kind of gun that a lot of collectors want. I know of a fine gunsmith in Bend who specializes in refurbishing guns like yours. How are the bores? Wondering how deep the pitting is on the outside of the barrels.

Whatever, it is a nice Parker and if you want to sell it I'm sure there will be people here who will be interested.....I am one of them....

Value? While no expert here, nice guns with good bones in shootable condition go for around a grand. Very nice guns, tho not pristine can go for around 25K or more.

Dave: that lifter Parker is the kind of gun that a lot of collectors want. I know of a fine gunsmith in Bend who specializes in refurbishing guns like yours. How are the bores? Wondering how deep the pitting is on the outside of the barrels.

Whatever, it is a nice Parker and if you want to sell it I'm sure there will be people here who will be interested.....I am one of them....

Value? While no expert here, nice guns with good bones in shootable condition go for around a grand. Very nice guns, tho not pristine, can go for around 2.5K more or less. A quite nice gun can push $4,ooo. A very nice one...oh, maybe has high as 6 or even 8 (The sky is the limit.).

I think your gun is a very nice gun, but not NRA fine because the barrels look pretty pitted to me...The wood looks very nice tho and I'd love to own the gun. I don't have a lifter gun. I would grade it as very good. But like I said, I am only looking at pictures and I am not an expert, and we have some here who will probably disagree with me.

Good luck! Sorry that you cannot keep your Parker. They sometimes become a family member. A company called RST makes shells especially for your gun that will not blow it up. Actually the barrels of these guns can be quite strong....without seeing it, of course; I have no idea how robust your Parker is....it might be unsafe to shoot, so find out before you try her out. You'll have to order RST shells through the mail.

Hi Steve,
The gunsmith in Bend had been out of the shop for several weeks, and I have yet to make contact. I am definitely in the mood to sell. If you have any more suggestions or need any photos or info, please feel free to ask. When I have enough supporting information, where or how would I go about listing my gun?
Thank you,
David

I have purchased two rather expensive shotguns this year so my quota is used up. So I'm not in the market for a new gun, but yours is a pretty nice gun, at least from what I can see.

Google gun auction sites, there are a bunch of them and select the one you like best and deal with them, then you'll get in touch with the nation wide market. I've never sold a gun on one of them, but I very seldom sell a gun. I hoard.

I'm sure there are guys on this site who have sold guns on the web and certainly they will be able to give you more info that I.

Dave you can indeed buy another Parker but time with your son is fleeting, I also admire you for spending quality time with him! I certified my son when he was twelve years old, thru PADI, those days in the quarry, and in the ocean I will always remember, he was a big boy for his age and used twin fifty tanks, I still look at the photo's I took of him with that old Nikonos camera still have it! Gary