Trying to determine the grade.
 

I have recently acquired a Parker Bros 12 gage shotgun. I have found that all the serial numbers match (9054) and was manufactured around 1877. Frame size 1. Weight is 38. I cant find the grade. My research found that this gun predates the grade system / stamp. I would appreciate any information on the grade.

Thank you,
Eric

It would most likely be the equivalent of the grade 0 but certainly not higher than the grade 1.





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Thanks for taking the time.

It should be either a Quality T if it has Twist barrels a $55 gun or a Quality P if it has Fine English Twist barrels a $65 gun. Now, of course, the question remains where does Stub Twist fall in the scheme of things? A term different than used in the catalogs.

While the barrel steel determines the various grades of the early guns, the grips and gage determine the quality designation.

Where do the "STUT TWIS" barrels fall in grade or quality determination??

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Those barrels look pretty clean and sharp for it's age. Nice looking lifter.

At least it would appear that the engraver spell MERIDEN correctly.

There was a period of time when the lowest Grade guns had plain wood, not checkered. However, by the 1882 price list, the Grade 0 guns Qualities R, S, T & U are listed as being checked.

Attachment 89409

In the earliest catalog I have a copy of the entry-level gun is said to be "plain finished" and have "Best Gun Iron" barrels with a list price of $50. The next gun up the scale has "Decarbonized Steel Barrels" with a list price of $75. All the higher Qualities have the choice of Laminated or Damascus barrels.

Thank you for the information. Very interesting. I just found out the shotgun was my wifes grandfather who acquired it from a man that owed him $7.

That’s a nice looking lifter. The barrels seem to be in great shape. Could you post pics of the stock and forend? Do you have any other history on the gun?

Add pics of the stock. Came from Massachusetts from my wife's grandfather. He got it from a $7 debt during the great depression.

These very early 4-digit serialized Parkers are extremely difficult to identify in regard to dollar-quality or grade is concerned.
Previously I had suggested the gun was the equivalent of a grade-0 but certainly no higher than the equivalent of a grade-1.
Now that we see the checkering pattern of the forend, which is clearly the three-point or “bow tie” pattern, the gun, in my opinion, is in fact a predecessor of the grade-2.





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Looks like your gun has aged gracefully, Eric. Many of us love to shoot and hunt with our hammer guns.

nothing closes together like a early lifter....I m awed every time I close one of mine....charlie

I need to replace the right firing pin spring. Found one on ebay for a #1 12 G firing spring #D545 and was wonder if it would work?

There are members on this site who make new firing pins and springs for lifters. They would be a better bet than a used pin or spring that is 100+ years old.

What would be the best way to find a member that has firing pin spring for sale?

Thanks,
Eric