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-   -   fishtail lever (https://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11007)

John Taddeo 07-24-2013 06:57 PM

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.

Dean Romig 07-25-2013 11:33 AM

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.

John Taddeo 07-25-2013 11:44 AM

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

Brian Dudley 07-25-2013 05:25 PM

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?

John Taddeo 10-01-2013 07:58 AM

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

Dean Romig 10-01-2013 08:13 AM

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.

Mills Morrison 10-01-2013 08:24 AM

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.

Dave Suponski 10-01-2013 09:19 PM

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

todd allen 10-01-2013 10:27 PM

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

Bill Zachow 10-02-2013 06:32 AM

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

Dean Romig 10-02-2013 07:15 AM

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

Frank Cronin 10-02-2013 08:50 AM

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".

charlie cleveland 10-02-2013 11:49 AM

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

Mills Morrison 10-02-2013 04:05 PM

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

charlie cleveland 10-02-2013 04:16 PM

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

Mills Morrison 10-02-2013 04:29 PM

Ok. I wonder what is the last fishtail Parker?

Bill Zachow 10-02-2013 05:44 PM

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.

Dean Romig 10-02-2013 05:52 PM

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:

Rich Anderson 10-02-2013 07:24 PM

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

John Taddeo 10-02-2013 08:33 PM

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

wayne goerres 10-02-2013 09:16 PM

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.

Bill Zachow 10-03-2013 05:52 AM

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

Rich Anderson 10-03-2013 08:27 AM

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.

John Taddeo 10-03-2013 10:04 AM

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.

Dean Romig 10-03-2013 10:10 AM

It is!

Brian Dudley 10-03-2013 04:16 PM

1 Attachment(s)
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

Mills Morrison 10-03-2013 04:21 PM

That is cool. Looks like the real thing to me


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