New Project
 

Much to the shagrin of my wife, I purchased another Parker yesterday. Im looking for some info.
The weapon i'm working on is a 12 ga. #1 on a size 2 frame hammer gun. There is no indication on the barrels of what type of steel was used. All of the Parkers I have seen have all had something on them, like twist,vulcan or trojan. This gun just says Parker Bros. Makers Meriden Conn.
I will be gratefull for any info.

Are there any marks on the barrel flats indicating steel type? What is the serial number? As always, pictures would help.

There is a Lc next to the pivot lug just above the 4 3 weight stamp. There is a + on the other side of the flat. 02 on the lock tang with a 9 with a js under it also on the lock tang.
Serial # 32692 I'm giong to try to get photos up.

Here are the pics

Barrel type
 

Hi Paul, I also have a barrel, #28934, 12 gauge, without type of steel markings. It's from a number 1 frame underlever and has been shortened. It makes me wonder if it could have been a Wells Fargo gun but there is nothing to indicate it was. On the left flat is a 29 and a +. On the right flat is an L and E, barrel weight 3-10, and what I think could be an order number. Also initials JS next to the frame size. Good luck with your research. Tom

This gun has 32" from muzzle to chamber end therefore I presume it is considered a 32"
it doesn't appear to have been cut down.
The idea of yours being a Wells Fargo gun stirrs up lots of cool thoughts, if only the guns could talk !!!

Any ideas on where to get the hammers for this gun ???

Hammers
 

Pau, I heard sometime ago somebody was making them. I'll try to find who it is. Cheers, Tom

Thanks, Tom

The "L" is the stamp for the type of barrel steel. In the case of 32692 it is a L1, Top action, capped pistol grip, twelve gauge with 32" barrels. L1 is the grade - Laminated Steel Grade 1. If it was a Grade 0 it would most likely have been made with Twist Steel or Plain Twist barrels. A great many early lifters in Grade 1 and possibly even Grade 0 were made with Damascus Steel barrels but later the lowest grade with Damascus Steel barrels was the Grade 2. From what I've read in The Parker Story Laminated Steel barrels were used on the Grade 1 Top Action guns. Some have been identified as Grade 0 but I believe the grade identification problem arises because of the price charged for the gun. Discounts were often given and the sale price of the gun was recorded in the book with no actual grade # identification.

Dean, I have a laminated barrel top lever 10 gauge that lettered as an 0 grade. Pictures were posted on this site and there weren't any indications that it was a grade 1. Never know for sure though. It is in Parkers found as latest laminated and as a laminated 0 grade.

Bob and others - please don't take my opinion as being the 'last word'. From what I've read this is the conclusion I've come to. I have some T/A hammer guns with Laminated Steel barrels and they are all identical in every detail but two letter as Grade 0 and one letters as a Grade 1.

In defense of Mark Conrad, our Research Committee Chairman, who has always executed his duties as Researcher and writer of Research Letters with the very highest of ethics and would never have assigned a higher grade to a gun where undeniable proof was not available to support such assignment - it is only my opinion that these guns of mine that I have described are actually Grade 1 Parkers.

Paul,

Not to be critical, but weapons are only used on people.

Congrats on your nuw Parker.

Point taken B. Dudley. Thanks.
Does the laminated steel barrel need black powder or can I use modern shells?

Paul: Before you shoot anything through your Parker please have it checked by a competent gunsmith. If he says that it's O.K. to shoot I would go with shells like those made by RST that simulate black powder pressures without all the mess. IMHO

Best Regards, George

Gun has been through the smith and is ready to shoot some pheasants.
I'll check into the RST AMMO.
Thanks a bunch

Barrel flats
 

Hi Dean, Do you have any idea what the ""E" would stand for that is just above and to the right of the "L" on the right barrel flat? Or the "29" on the left barrel flat? Thanks, Tom

Parker Hammers needed
 

Paul,
Try my gunsmith ....Bill Schwarz of Ellijay, Ga. He has a collection of both LC Smith and Parker parts. He is presently working on a hammer for an old English double that I just bought from him. Tel 706-276-7668.
Good Luck,
Tom Regel

Thanks Tom, I'll give him a call today.:)