Is there any way to check to see how a gun left the factory if I were to get the serial #?

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Frank, Yes, there is a serial number list of the vent/rib guns in the Parker Story books, and there is also the possibility of a research letter through the PGCA held Parker/Remington records... Get a serial number and photos, that is a good first step...

Best, CSL
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Can someone look up # 230719 for me please.

230719 is not in the serialization book and according to the website there is no information available for a research letter.

The stock book for that serial number range is missing. I had a gun in that range too and wished I could have got a letter on it.

David ,The letter does not say " Trap " But the gun was sold by H & D Folsom in the correct time period or just very early in the correct time period and does have the Trap Butt Plate ,There are others that have these guns and I don't believe any of them were called Trap Guns in the letters ,but as Dave says ,probably a marketing pitch ,also we have covered this ground a while back as Dean has said and I just tossed this out there for a little fun conversation ! Russ

PARKER TRAP GUNS
 

DH(E) Parkers, stocked and choked to the shooters specification, were the choice of some of history's best live and clay trapshooters from 1890 to 1920. PGCA's John Browning gun is a good example. "Trap fore ends" ventilated ribs and single triggers began to appear prior to WW I ( John Dunkle's gun) and became more popular with time until production ended.
The Winchester M12 and M97 were probably the most popular trap guns of the first half of the twentieth century. Many ordinary 16 yd singles shooters continued to prefer the SxS as the two barrels provided a forward weight bias and a smoother swing.

Best, Austin

A few photos. She appears correct to me. She has seen some changes through her life and she is not single trigger. Her dimensions are 1 1/2"-2 5/8" to an extended 15 LOP.

Frank, your Parker has all the attributes of a Parker trap gun with the exception of the double triggers and the lack of two ivory beads. However, double triggers could have be ordered by the original owner. The vent rib is original Parker Bros and can be verified by the last three digits of the serial number stamped on the underside of the rib between posts 2 & 3 (if memory serves me) from the breech. It has the flat top of the breech to accomodate the vent rib barrels and it appears to have a longer than normal beavertail forend.

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Frank, Yes, she has a few bumps, but I'd say that's a bona-fide 16ga vent rib 1-frame trap configured Parker... Not sure what photo Dean is looking at to see that it has a longer than normal beavertail forend? I did not see an image here that shows the full forend, but I assume it has the long reinforced through bolt... Do you have a photo of the top breach area where the barrels and frame come together?... What is the full name "Hall?" on the leather case, and did the case come with the gun?... That name might help lead you to some information and history on the gun...

Best, CSL
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