*** 1878 12 Bore Lifter ***
 

This is a new to me 0 Grade lifter . No. 2 frame with 30” Damascus marked barrels that ring true .Nice shiny bores with just a couple small pits . On face and very solid overall. Wood fits tight and is free of cracks . Checkering is excellent and well defined. Serial #13076.
Picked her up at a local shop it had just come in with a bevy of other guns from a WW 1 veterans estate . It was covered with dust and some mold. It honestly looked bad but the bore looked clean . I took a chance and picked it up for $350 out the door. I spent a couple hours cleaning it up carefully as to not harm any of the underlying finish that had patina. I think it cleaned very nicely and I am thrilled with the purchase. This is my first lifter and I do plan on shooting it .

I have a couple other later Hammerless Parker’s so this is not my first Parker. I am however not familiar with the Lifter models. I’m am curious as to the value in the current market ?

Also since I plan on shooting it any advice on do and donuts or care for the lifter model would be greatly appreciated.

Very nice Lifter!!
Is the forend iron numbered the same as the gun?
I ask because the bowtie checkering pattern is that of a Grade-2.





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Dean, the forearm is numbered to the gun . Maybe I’m off on the grading ? I apologize as I am not knowledgeable in grading.

Some more pics. Barrel is serial numbered also 13076.

Forearm

Your gun is a higher grade than a zero (0). It is probably a 2, maybe a 1.

Thanks Bill, is there a definitive way to determine the grade ?

I think Bill is correct that it is not a Grade 0. The wrist and fore end would suggest grade two, but I'd expect a bit more engraving on a grade 2. The letter "U" on the water table has confused me in the past, as it was used to signify a Grade 0 with Twist barrels and a straight stock. In this case, I don't think the U is being used to signify grade, It's shown up in in other guns. Kinda like Waldo. The Damascus barrels are really whats got me leaning towards a 2.
Buy a letter and give Chuck the final word.

I intend to get it lettered. Thanks for the input. Much appreciated.

It looks like a Grade 2 to me too.

In my opinion the engraving style is that of a Grade 1, not a 2. A grade 2 of that era should have a bird on each lock plate.

I have two Grade-3’s that have the U on the water table. Others have disagreed with me in the past regarding this but it’s my opinion the U represents Underlifter.





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Gents: My 10 ga lifter S/n 13249 letters as a Quality E (grade 2) from Mr. Bishop and has identical engraving to the gun in question. Dean you might remember it, it has the Parker made laminated barrels. I bought it from Angel Cruz here about 10 years ago. A few pics follow.

1880 D2:
 

My “short ten” 10 Gauge $85 Grade side plates for comparison.

Well, that makes sense since what he has is a grade 2.

Damascus steel, sculpted bolsters and 3pt checkering are the hallmarks of grade 2 lifters in this period.

Beautiful 10 and great info !

It is a great gun! Especially for what you paid.

Ray, you wanna make a quick 100 bucks?
:)

Yeah, Ray wins the award for getting a good deal on his first Parker purchase. My first purchase was actually a grade 2 of the same vintage, 10 gauge, with a broken stock and I paid about three times what Ray paid. It is still a favorite gun though

Not the first Parker , just my first Under Lifter. I do confess to l being new however to collecting them .

Was Damascus an upgrade as compared to the other types of barrel construction ?

It was an upgrade from Twist.





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ok got it . Then where does Laminated fit in ?

More pics

I’ve seen Laminated Steel mostly on Grade-1 guns but not limiter to that grade.
Depending on the year of manufacture, like the very laty 18&0’s and the 1890’s on both hammer and hammerless guns is when this is more the rule than the exception.






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Got it. Thanks for the great info.

I have a couple of that vintage. It was always my understanding that the Grade 2 was the first grade that had any sculpting on the balls. My guess is that it is a Grade 2.

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Edit

Forgive the stupid post. I posted it not realizing there were multiple pages.

By the way, spend $80 and join while getting the letter, and save $20.

That’s a beautiful gun for your first lifter action. That’s an even better price!! You did well.

The gun shown in the photos of gun grades for grade 2 Lifter does not have birds on it.

Game on grade two hammer guns did not start until the transition period from lifter to top action. Around 24,000 serial range.

Great info guys . I really have a lot to learn . I was off a bit in thinking it was a 0 grade. I am very happy learning more about it. I signed up for the member ship today and intend to get a letter for it.