J.P. Clabrough & Bros.
 

I took the colorblind test and this is what happened. I held a J.P. Clabrough at a gunshow in Wyoming last year. I just loved the detailed engraving and fell in love with it. However it was just too far gone to take home, I knew the expense would be too great to bring it back to life even at the negotiated price of $450. Ever since that day I have been on the lookout for one with more condition and that I wouldn't have to rehabilitate. Today ended my wait. Please open the link provided and let me know what you think, good or bad, it's okay. I am excited, it will ship as an antique to my doorstep tomorrow.
https://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...n_id=101622619

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GI made me sign in to see the listing. The pictures look good, but not much in the listing. The proofs are black powder only. I hope the gun checks out because it looks pretty good.

Ken

I talked with the seller when we finalized the deal. He said he thought the barrels measured at 30-3/16 and the bores were clean. Comparing similar vintage Parker shotguns I see similarities between this one and the higher quality Parkers. It will be interesting to measure the center to center of the bores and compare with Parker frame sizes and the overall weight of the gun. I can tell from the photographs that drop at the heel is pretty substantial. Also, considering Parker valuations I believe that this shotgun has a great amount of enhancements for a very reasonable price. Agree?

Very nice...No rehab needed on this one. Does J.P.Claybrough & Bros. have a grading system. If so, do you know where this one stands?

I no longer have the Clabrough book, so I cannot look it up, there are now factory records
the book's author described grading instead of by numbers or letters codes- there were low, middle, middle/high and high, with plenty of variation in each

but I think that one qualifies as top/high grade - very nice - mine falls into the middle/high range as a very early low hammer variation- mine has the same hammer engraving, and has a mix of scroll and game scene engraving, but it has a butt plate not a checkered butt

Claybrough serial numbers are a little odd -they changed the lock design at one point to what they called a low hammer - and restarted the numbers at 1 at that point.. that one looks like the "Low Hammer" variation


they are well made guns in the nicer grades

I have researched, I have seen pricing and history but no grading levels. In my opinion earlier guns should be more desirable because later after the company changed hands a couple of times they exported arms to their California location that probably weren’t of the same quality. When import tariffs were imposed by the US Govt. the company went toes up. Just speculation.

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It appears to be a top level Clabrough, built on a W. & C. Scott bar action. Very good condition for its age, too. If the barrel walls are thick enough, it should be safe with modest smokeless loads. Best to have it checked out by a pro however.