Stepped Sideplate
 

On a T latch actioned Parker.

For those not familiar with these guns, the descriptor " T latch" does not refer to the lifter shape, but to a top T shaped latch that swings up and down as the lifter is pushed, and latches into a recess at the barrel breach top. For those who already know that, I apologize for being overly explanatory, but I have met many who did not know.

That gun is fantastic Bruce! What great condition!

Please tell us what sort of 'strikers' those hammers fall on.
I've only ever handled one T-Latch gun and it was so long ago that some of the details escape my memory.

Wow Those look like precussion hammers. Saw a Wesley Richards that was made like that. Almost mistook it for a muzzle loader.

Is the top gun a Parker???

The top gun is a Meriden Manufacturing Co. owned by Charles Parker gun. So, yes, it is a very early "Parker".

Bruce, I did not know anything about the T latch guns. I appreciate you showing yours beautiful gun.

Dennis

Thank you, Dennis, but this is not mine. It is part of Todd Kaltenbach's great collection and was part of our exhibit at the Houston NRA Convention. I thought it might be of interest to Parker collectors because there are few around, this one is in great condition for its age and many are not familiar with these early actions.

Hi Bruce, got your message but the cell that I have does not pick up in the house, so I checked messages when I went out the other day and saw yours, I will send you a PM, gary

Thanks Dean. Were all the Meriden Manufacturing guns built under Parker ownership? I have seen several MM guns and thought there was a connection but didn't know what it was.

Bruce, thanks for this post. It prompted me to dig out these old pictures of the T Latch I owned until about 10 years ago. The pics were taken about 1986. I regret selling it now of course, but I needed the money at the time. The pics will be in separate post because they are coming off my IPad and the image names are all the same when I upload them, so only one will display per post.