Parker identification
 

Hello! Recently my grandfather passed away and soon after my father and I inherited a T-parker shotgun, stamped on the plate. This gun has always hung above the fireplace at the hunting camp but feeling a little beat up I want to use it grouse hunting this year. Proove old still works sort of thing. Anyhow the stock has a crack and its missing a hammer but I'd really appreciate help making sense of the stamps. I thought I was pretty good with firearms but there are just too many stamps and too much information. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

sorry

your gun is not an American Parker Brothers - which this board is for

from the proof marks - it is an inexpensive Belgium knock off of a British gun,

these are often of modest quality when made, and it is now over a hundred years old

- it should be very carefully inspected by someone who knows old double shotguns if you intend to use it

over the fireplace as a family memory may be the safest place for it

Likely one of many cheap imported guns. Hard to see all of the markings— probably made in Belgium. I’d be leery of shooting it.

It's best purpose is probably as a wall hanger.....

Or, you can dump a lot of money into restoring something that will never be worth the money you spent restoring it.

My advice, go pick up a Parker or other fine American made SxS for your grouse pursuits, and let that one keep it's place above the mantle.... :D

My guess is that your grandfather never used it and picked it up simply as a decoration for the old camp.





.

This one looks like it was maybe sold as wall art.... Price range expected was $200 - $300.

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-l...-c-406456ebb8#

Item Overview
Description
SERIAL NUMBER: 220 DESIGN: Side by side 12 gauge shotgun. Break open action. Improved cylinder choke (right and left barrel). Rabbit ear side hammers. Double triggers. Stamped "Belgian Fine Damascus" on top of barrels. "JM" stamped on the barrel (under forend). MATERIAL/FINISH COMPOSITION: Belgium Damascus steel barrels. Case hardened receiver. Checkered wood semi pistol grip stock and forend. FEATURES: Serrated hammers. Both sides of receiver stamped "T. Parker Belgium". Metal buttplate. CONDITION: Good. Old cracks near side plates. INVENTORY NO. / CATEGORY: 5476/ANT ESTIMATE: $200-$300

Barrels look like sham dam. Iron with a Damascus pattern faux finish etched on the surface to imitate a pattern welded barrel.

The "estimate" for the auction gun was $200 to $300. I doubt that it sold for more than $95.00.