Interesting gun - conversion to hammerless
 

This is interesting- I assume many here know the provenance of this gun?

https://new.liveauctioneers.com/item...ess-conversion

why does a Parker looks so much like a Lefever????

If you read the description they are saying the gun was sent to lefever for the conversion

Yes, it is shown on page 8 of the Summer 2016 Issue of Parker Pages on the color Morphy's Auction full page advertisement. Definitely a piece for a collector.

It would surprise me however, if the gun "was given to Lefever by Parker" as the write-up states. There doesn't appear to be anything in the research letter that would indicate Parker Bros. ever bought the gun back from an owner.






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I don't despise it as much as I thought I would.

According to the write up The Parker records show it was returned to change the action type, assumedly from hammer to hammerless?

LeParker
 

So would this be a rare $217.50 grade LeParker?

I find nothing about S/N 2625 in the order book database, there is however a record of the gun in the stock book. Either Ron Kirby or Mark Conrad wrote the letter, it's not in the letter archive. I don't know how the letter could state it was sent by Parker to Lefever if it's not in the order book database as to having an entry in an order book. It is a 11ga. with 2 sets of barrels. It looks like the barrel steel is listed as "iron." About the only thing really clear is the S/N, LOP, barrel lengths, and weight. All the names of individuals are very faded out and I'd be hesitant to state a name/names in a letter. It looks like it would be called a Quality D in later times but back them they just called them Dollar Grades but since there is no record in the order books listing what the price was, it's just a guess.

In the case of establishing provenance we try not to 'assume' anything that is not clearly stated in the archived records.

The letter appears to have been signed by Ron Kirby. We can see the tail of the "y" in Kirby.
Not assuming here, but using deductive reasoning.


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It's a bit of a contraption, since you'd have to break the action open with the lifter then cock the hammers with the sidelever. But it has a crisp look, and the bolsters are great.
Still don't like seeing any Parker with Lefever engraved on the side.....same feeling I get when I see a Ford with a Chevy engine in it.