The right barrel flat is stamped with the grade. “All” Parkers of grade 3 and higher have the gradecstamped on the right barrel flat. This one has the 6 stamped about halfway down the flat right above the order number.

Depending on the barrel length this gun is among the 20 in 12 gauge with Damascus Steel barrels. None (ZERO) at all are shown with Laminated Steel barrels, making this gun as possibly unique.





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Congratulations on the nice find, I'm jealous.

One question, what kind of gun show must one attend to find a gun such as this beauty, I'm assuming this would only be found at a larger more prominent antique arms show?

I haven't been to any local gun shows recently because they're just not worth going to, nothing even close to a great gun like this one could be found.

Nice gun!

Stan, this particular show is fairly big for our part of the country. It has over a 1,000 tables. RIA, Morphy, and Poulin all have reps/tables at this show. That said, it still has a smaller feel. Interesting thing about this gun is I found it just a few tables away from the Morphy table. Don’t think they were set up yet…..sleeping in I guess.

The early bird… you know the rest.





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Does this mean you will be doing some repair, or restoration work?
Not meaning to weigh in on either direction, but if this gun were to be properly restored, it would be a screamer!
Not that there is anything wrong with how it looks now, just curious.

Issues
 

Todd,
The issues I mentioned are fairly small considering the overall picture. Hammer screws appear to be wrong and one is damaged anyway. Then, the stock comb nose was chipped off at one time and somewhat crudely glued on. But other than that, it is just honest wear with good bores and mechanically sound/appropriate. Based on these issues, I am inclined to find appropriate screws and leave the rest. I do wish the barrels showed more pattern as they are beautiful under the fore end. I will await a letter, complete my research and take it hunting....

Thanks for reply Dean,

Good job on finding it early, enjoy using it, game or targets, you’ll be using a great gun!

Stan Hoover

So nice to see a gun like this go to someone who will honor it with use and care.

Dean

I wasn't questioning the grade. It is obviously a grade 6. However, the Serialization book shows it as a D6, which I suspect is correct as to the official records. I own 18479 which is a 10 gauge listed as a D3 (and lettered as such). However it has Parker Laminate barrels like yours, also not marked D on the action. It was sold as a Damascus gun, not a Laminated gun. I have seen this reported on a number of higher graded Parkers. For whatever reason, I believe that during this period around 1878 to 1880, Parker was selling their made in house laminate barrels on higher grade Damascus guns with no differentiation between the two. My guess was that it was due to corporate pride or marketing. Given the very few higher grade lifters made, I have seen too many references to this situation to make it seem like an anomoly. I had never really tried to find out, but does anyone know of an actual factory L graded gun in this period that has Parker laminated barrels?

Dean, I imagine you know, but wanted to bring it to your attention just in case.
Your Grade 6 hammer gun is featured on the back cover of the
Parker Gun Identification and Serialization book and mentioned by serial number on the Credits page of that book.


Here you go. :cheers: