New to Site, Forum and Parkers?
 

Hello, I inherited a Parker shotgun recently and I am just beginning to research it. I checked the serial number and it says that there are surviving factory records. When I look at the form to order the letter it asks for serial number, grade and gauge. My question is I have the serial number which is in the 2000's around 1874 but I don't know the grade and gauge. Can I still order a letter with just the serial number? Again I'm brand new to all of this and just looking for some help on getting started. Thank you for your time and help.

I am quite sure that the serial number is all that you really need to provide to buy a research letter. To be certain, the serial number is stamped into the left side of the barrel lug - NOT the barrel flats. The number on the barrel flats of a Parker in the four-digit serial number range is the ORDER number, not the serial number.
The serial number is also stamped on the water table of the frame and on the inside surface (that sits against the barrels) and is also engraved on the trigger guard strap or tang.

Keith,
Welcome to the PGCA forum. If you go to the main page and click on research letters you will find a place where you can enter the serial number and it will tell you if we have information on your gun. On some of the very early guns we do not have enough information to support a letter. If the information is available you should join the PGCA and get a letter and you will save yourself $20.00.

Thanks for your help. The number is not on the barrels but the metal the the left barrel rests upon when the gun is closed. I have some pictures i guess I should try to post. Thanks again.

I clicked on research letters and entered the serial number and it says that there are surviving records. Definately going to join and order the letter. Thank you.

Pictures
 

Here are some pictures of my gun.

Keith,

If your S/N is in the 2000 range we would only have the Stock Book entry. Also, be aware that those real early Stock Book entries are very faint due to fading. I don't want you go to the trouble of ordering a research letter only for me to contact you and tell you I can't read the data.

Either send me the complete S/N by Private Messaging on this site or just tell me the S/N in a follow up post.

I'll get back to you and let you know if I can read the data to support a letter. The Stock Book will not tell you who ordered the gun, just basic build information. I may not even be able to tell you the grade of the gun. It would be good to post in focus closeups of the various parts of your gun for better identification.

Chuck Bishop
PGCA Research Chairman

Keith, thanks for posting pictures.

Sorry to say you don't have a Parker Brothers shotgun made in America. It's a Belgium knockoff using the Parker name.

Sorry...Chuck

that looks like a Belgium proof mark in the second pic and i don;t remember cast steel as a barrel material

does your gun say Parker Brothers on it

or just Parker?

Thanks for the help. I didn't know and you just saved me some money. It only says Parker on both sides of the gun.