New Member (old shooter)
 

Hi,
I have had two Parkers for over 60 years and have finally decided to learn more about them.
Serial Nr. 130380, a 1905 Grade 2 Vulcan which was my grandfather's, then my father's, then handed down to me when I was about 12. I used it a lot for many years, mostly for duck hunting. Not knowing any better, I used "high brass" shells which resulted in a little looseness in the face, about just enough to slip a piece of copier paper in. I have recently returned to SxS clay bird shooting. Is it OK to use this gun with "low brass" target shells? Can I shim the hook a bit?

I'm also curious about the meaning of some of the markings on the bottom of the barrels. There is WF in an oval and a Kf stamped in. Are those from Parker or perhaps gunsmiths' IDs? There are also a couple of small crosses stamped on either side of the grade 2 stamp.

And finally, the forend has the gun's serial number but is clearly marked on the lever mechanism "Pat'd March 26, 1878." That's way before the gun was produced. Seems strange.

My other Parker is the new one, Serial number 196846, a late 1921 Trojan 2. I got it in trade when I was 15 for three Model A Ford wheels. It's in great shape and has seen a lot of use but id still tight-faced. But like the other, has
several markings on the barrel such as WF with a small x below it and 12 stamped close to the grade 2 stamp. Gunsmith marks?

Sorry for the wordiness but would love to hear your collective opinions.

Can you post photos, especially detailed ones of the barrel flats and water table?

Sorry, can't figure out how to attach images! Any suggestions?

Kirk:

I will Private Message you about doing so.

Kirk's gun ser. no. 196846

Kirk's gun ser. no. 130330

Thanks for posting these, Russell. I hope to see comments about the various narkings.

Kirk

Many members of the Parker Brain Trust are on the road returning from having attended the annual Parker Gun Collectors Association Hall of Fame dinner and Southern Side-by-Side.

So, as best as I can offer for the first gun ser. no. 196846

First photo: OV on barrel flats signifies a Trojan.

Second photo: if is J.B. in an oval, and not J. G. , it is “not fully understood”, according to THE PARKER STORY (TPS) on page. 590. And if it is the initials J. G. it may also be "not fully understood".)

The smallish number 1 in the center is according to TPS “not fully understood”.

The 12 on the barrel lug is the gauge, and the 2 is the frame size.

The 4 is the unstruck barrel weight, the OV stands for Trojan and the HT over A, according to TPS on page 590, is “not fully understood”.

The second gun ser. no. 130380:

First photo: V for V-grade, or number 0 quality gun.

It was the base grade Parker gun until the introduction of the Trojan in 1912.

Second photo: Top left of barrel flat is WK, for long-time Parker manufacturing supervisor Walter King.

Small + sign above and below the barrel lug is according to TPS "not fully understood".

The 2 on the lug is the frame size.

The small g on the lug is also "not fully understood", according to TPS, nor is the Kf.

The 4 is the unstruck barrel weight.

Thanks very much. I hope others can offer suggestions to the "Not fully understood" items.