Parker 10 gauge
 

I have a Parker 10ga. I have all other info on it other than the grade. There isn't a stamp for the grade. Is it possible to have a pre-grade gun?

Short answer is "yes." You could have what we call a "dollar grade." Best thing to do is post pictures and serial number

Here are some pictures of what I have. The serial number is 37865. I am also planning getting a letter for it as well. It has a 30" barrel. Thanks

A letter would answer your question, most likely. Looks to be a Quality 0 or 1. The straight stock is a bonus.

I just sent off for it.

I also hope I didn't pay to much for it. Not sure if I want to get it restored yet or not.

Straight grip, 10-gauge, Twist barrels should be a Quality S --

Attachment 88844

According to the dating by serial number on the home page, 37865 would be an 1883 vintage gun. The above Price List is dated July 1, 1882.

By 1900, Parker Bros. reduced the twelve entry-level Qualities to four -- Qualities R, S, T & U --

Attachment 88845

eliminating the Laminated steel Qualities I, K, L & M and the Fine English Twist Qualities N, O, P & Q. A while later they they dropped the price differential for grip style and had only the Quality R & T. Still later they dropped the price differential for 10-gauge and had only the Quality T in the catalogs. But we see some late Twist barrel hammer guns stamped P, Aligning with the Twist barrel hammerless gun Quality PH.

Some Terminology Minutia

From the beginning the number designations were Grade and when letter designations were introduced they were Quality. By the 1923 catalog only the A1 Special and AAHE Pigeon Gun were prefaced with the word Quality. The others were AHE, VH, Trojan, etc. By the 1927 catalog Quality is gone and the guns are listed as Parker A1 Special, Parker AAHE, Parker AHE.......Parker PH, Parker VH, Parker Trojan. That remained through the 1934 catalog. Only the large Remington era Parker catalog used the term Grade with the letter designations.

The straight stock was $5 cheaper than a pistol grip in those days.

Thank you for your reply. I am going to have to say though I am still very confused. Lol