I just got my first Parker
 

Hello everyone. I'm new to not only the forum, but also to the intruiging world of Parker shotguns! I've learned quite a bit (compared to the next to nothing I knew prior) in the last few weeks and would love to learn more. I have a 1904 12 gauge GH with a size 2 frame, damascus barrels, and really clean bores with a tight locking action (not sure if these are appropriate terms to use with a double barrelled shotgun).

I would love to learn more about this shotgun! Any suggestions would be much appreciated. The only other Parker that I've touched is an 1897 DH that a friend has, which has been in his family since it was built (really cool). I bought mine in an online auction... (not nearly as cool of a story!)

Any help determining what the "percent of condition", original price, maybe who first owned it, its current value, etc. would be much appreciated. Also, where to buy (or a reloading recipe) appropriate ammunition would be awesome, as I plan to use it pheasant hunting this Fall.

Congratulations, Will! A great production year for Parkers. Post some photos and I’m sure you’ll get some good info. Have you checked to see if there are records for your gun?

Thanks Garry. I have checked this site to see if there are records and it said there ARE; however, I don't have permission to access to them? I'm not sure what I need to do for that? I'll get some pictures uploaded soon. Thanks again.

You would want to order a PGCA letter on your gun, instructions on the home page. The letter is $40 for members of PGCA, much more for non members. Members get a great newsletter and use of the members section of the website as well as cheap research letters.

Thanks Bill. I appreciate your input.

And our “newsletter” is a quarterly 48-page full-color collectible magazine. This alone is worth the $40 annual price of membership.





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Our newsletter is the finest gun collecting magazine produced by a gun collecting organization in the world. Wait, universe. Galaxy? Whatever of those is the biggest our magazine is the best in it. I have not had the time to do it much, but reading BACK issues on line here will fill your knowledge tank very quickly. Welcome, and as Dean has said to me, "Call me when you get to a dozen guns, they're addicting." I promise, this won't be your last.

https://parkerguns.org/forums/album.php?albumid=1136

Uploaded some pictures. Let me know what you think. I'll add more later.

Welcome Will. The barrels are Parker D3 (3 Iron 'Oxford') which was the usual pattern for the GH.
Since the gun is > 120 years old you will of course want to have it checked by a qualified double gun specialist before use. Please see
https://www.shotgunworld.com/threads...-shoot.366087/
Let us know where you are and we might be able to recommend someone near you, with the interest and expertise to properly evaluate the gun.
If the barrels are free of pitting and the wall thickness is adequate, I would suggest avoiding today's pheasant boomer loads and stick to 1 1/8 oz at 1200 fps.

Pretty clean and typical for a well-used yet well-cared-for GH.
Checkering is very worn and could use a recut and a period pad would enhance its appearance. Otherwise, shoot it and enjoy it.





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Thanks Dean. I'm going to inspect the barrels with a bore scope and possibly take it to a gunsmtih. Any suggestions as to where I can find a period-correct pad?

Period correct pads.
Avoid the "Correct Period Pads" that are cheaper. They are notorious for having voids in them and are not returnable. You may find original pads floating around EBay, Gunsinternational, and Gunbroker (Caveat Emptor).

https://connecticutshotgun.co/shotgun-parts-extras/

It looks like a good solid starter Parker.

When you own a Parker you don't just own a shotgun. When you own a PARKER there is a lot of tradition and history that goes with ownership such a gun. That responsibility is not a burden, rather it is a benefit. Some people here admire their Parkers, and own many, which is fine. I own only two, but they are way out of the ordinary.

Owning and shooting a Parker is a privilege

As we discuss the benefits and privilege of possessing the Parker (or other fine shotguns), we sometimes overlook the fact that we are only the caretakers in the life of these fine guns. By the time we come into possession of them, they have already outlived the original purchaser of the gun. Some have had many caretakers in their lifetime. Some have had considerate caretakers, others not so much. I admire those that rescue those unfortunate guns and breathe new life into them.

Mr. Woods, I thank you for your appreciation of my attention to my previously neglected Parkers. I refer to them as a "shooting collection". There was not a pretty face among many of them when they were acquired.