fishtail lever
 

Would anyone happen to know what grade of hammerless claims to wear the most fishtail levers? I searched other threads for similar question to no avail.

John, the application of the fishtail top lever was never attributed to a particular grade or combination of grades. We know of examples of the fistail top lever from grade 0 guns all the way up to grade 6 and there may even be some grade 7 Parkers with that feature. We know that it was developed in order to allow an exposed hammer gun to be opened with the right hammer in the fully cocked position and it appears that the leftover stock of fishtail levers was applied to hammerless guns with no apparent preference to grade. Some buyers may even have prefered the fishtail top lever but there may be no evidence of such an order from the surviving records. Personally, I kinda prefer a fishtail top lever on a hammerless Parker.

Thanks Dean, for some reason they really grab my attention also.

I think the fishtail lever adds some level of ergonomics to the operation. And you can't beat the style of it. Here is a question... Has anyone ever observed a V grade with a fishtail lever?

One more thought. What is the smallest bore gun known with the fishtail lever?

John, the smaller bore Parkers are the ones we see the vast majority of fishtail levers on. Many of the larger bore guns could be opened with a cocked right hammer and a straight lever simply because of the width of the frame.

I have an NH 10 gauge hammerless with one and a 12 gauge toplever 0 or 1 grade with one. I really like them as well. The silent auction 8 gauge had one and I have seen another 8 gauge for sale with one

I don't recall ever having seen one on a V grade and it seems they appear on earlier hammerless Parkers.

The fishtail top levers used on hammerless guns had ceased by the time the Vulcan grade gun was introduced.

I have one on a D grade #2 frame gun made in 1893.

My hammer V equivalent (border engraved just like a V)8 gauge made in 1892 has one and I really like it..

Bill, would it be possible to open your 8 gauge hammer gun with the right hammer cocked if the gun had a straight lever?

With my 5 frame 10 hammer I can not open the straight top lever with the hammers back even with a big the receiver. I wish I could. De-cocking the hammers on a big gun like that can be a little "hairy".

dean the mill s silent auction 8 ga is a fishtail...it would open with hammer cocked if it were a straight lever... its on a 7 frame... charlie

If I remember right, the silent auction 8 gauge is mid 1890's. The latest one I own now is an NH from 1891

mills the 8 ga was made 1891 from the letter you gave me... charlie

Ok. I wonder what is the last fishtail Parker?

Dean, I believe it would open cocked. I think I checked it, but you know what happens to your "thinker" when you get on in years.

I don't know about you Bill but I tend to lose small parts. A magnetized steel mechanic's parts bowl would work really well but it's too late for the last one I worked on... :crying:

I have a GHE damascuss 16ga with the fishtail top lever as well as a couple of hammer guns.

I'm guessin that the 16 is on a #1 frame Rich ?

Just for future reference Dean you can put a clean bag in your vacume and vacume up the lost part. I know from preveious experience.

Dean, I've got one of those magnetized bowls, but, I forgot where I put it......

John the 16 I referenced to is an 0 frame. It was sent back to Parker and restocked with a straight grip, BTF (with the reinforced lug), SST, ejectors and a skelton butt.

Mama Mia, what a beautiful gun that must be. I assumed the older stock of levers were not fit on zero frames. I am sure glad to be wrong.

It is!

Speaking of Fishtail levers. Here is a photo of a lever that I converted to a fishtail on a 2 frame for a VH to CH upgrade.

I have seen some very poor attempts at fishtail conversions. This one is pretty much un detectable as a conversion. In regards to style at least.

Attachment 27753

That is cool. Looks like the real thing to me