Parker Gun Collectors Association Forums - Trying to find info for Shotgun

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Trying to find info for Shotgun

i just purchased a Parker and Company Black Powder Shotgun. Does anyone out there know anything about these? It has a Number 17 on the under side of each barrell.
I am new to the site and stumbled upon it while looking for info for the Parker Shotgun.
Thanks
Mike

We could help you more if you post photos. From what you say, it does not sound like a Parker Bros shotgun

agreed-

the 17 is likely a Belgium proof mark for bore size

pictures will verify it-

do the marks look like any of these?

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture...pictureid=6156

The gun is not a Parker Bros (of Meriden, CT) shotgun.

Parker never built a Muzzleloading shotgun.

Please see photos and advise. And i would like to say thanks to all who have taken of their time to respond. Any help would be greatful. I am not looking to say i have a "million" dollar gun, i just am looking for it's history from a era of time that is gone by. Will be displaying it in my home.
THanks
Mike

The advice you have been given is basically correct.

Yours is not a Parker Bros. shotgun and we are not about such a gun as a Parker & Co. gun.

.

what you have is a late Birmingham England proofed muzzleloader of modest quality

it is not a Connecticut made Parker Brothers gun

Does anyone know anything about it or where i can find any info on it? Gauge, dates, etc.
Thanks
Mike

Mike, the 17 stamp is the gauge of the bores. On breech loading shotguns the bores were measured 9" from the chamber, on muzzle loaders they were measured at the muzzle. Your shotgun doesn't have chokes. The rules of proof say that muzzle loaders with more than one barrel have to be proof fired twice, both a provisional and definitive proof firing. If the maker applied in writing at the time of submission they could be granted an exemption so it only received a definitive proof firing. Your Parker had that done. The VBP under a crown is the single proof stamp the Birmingham proof house used to show that. Otherwise it would have both a provisional and definitive proof mark.

There were several gunmakers named Parker in Birmingham and the Provincial trade that could have made yours. Take a close look at the top of the rib and see if there is an address and maker name there as well. From that we should be able to give more details and a time range the business was operating. Then again, maybe not. Sometimes the name was put on by makers for retailers.