New to this group
 

Hello, I am Cynthia. Being the only granddaughter in the family, my male cousins and brother got all of the guns passed down from our ancestors. My brother recently offered to give me one. It’s an 1879 Parker Brothers. I don’t know what prompted this gesture, but I jumped on the opportunity even though admittedly I don’t shoot or know my way around this type of gun. The serial is 15077 so I hope to request research, I just need to figure out how to answer the questions on the form. I’m interested in learning about this gun and the company. My Grandfather’s were farmers, ranchers and rural mail carriers - so my thinking is this was a utility purchase. They wouldn’t need something they didn’t intend to use and cost would be as important as quality.

Thank you for the opportunity to be included - I hope I don’t ask annoying questions. It’s just new to me.

Cynthia, welcome to the PGCA. 15077 is a 12 gauge lifter Damascus 28" barrel gun. It is a grade 2. You should expect to see very small to no scroll engraving, engraved screws, and probably a steel butt plate. The stock should be a straight grip.
We can answer many questions you may have, and provide "expert" speculation on the rest. Congrats on becoming a Parker owner. I myself own a couple lifter style Parkers. Check the home page for basic info. Enjoy learning and ask away.

Thank you Dean, I will definitely be pouring over the website!! My brother said he believes the stock was replaced but I am not so sure. If it was, maybe it was a part from Parker Brothers because it looks original and has checked engraving. I hesitate to unscrew anything to look for corroborating model number because one screw looks like it is warped from use- not from being removed at any time.

Hopefully this helps- What is the grip type called? I don't think this is straight, right? I read that people could choose some configurations but family legend also says the stock is replaced though I don't know why or when. What is butt type? I’m looking it all up but am not seeing examples to be sure. AI has helped. I just want to fill out the form accurately.

Interesting…
15077 on the barrel flat is more likely to be the order number while the serial number is stamped on the left side of the barrel lug.
Further, the barrels, according to the T stamp with a crescent above and belo, indicates that the barrels are Twist steel rather than Damascus.
Family lore is correct in that the buttstock is a poorly made replacement.





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Minor detail, but it isn't a 'lifter', but called a 'top lever'. 15077, in the serialization, is identified as a lifter, by the letter "U", however the gun shown is a top lever. What is the serial number engraved on the trigger guard?

Then my serial number is 26869 I think - and date is 1882 - is that correct?

Trigger guard
 

Is this the trigger guard info you mentioned? I saw no other writing on the outer metal.

The trigger guard is the lower picture and the SN would be engraved on the tang behind the trigger guard bow.

Your gun is a plain twist Quality T top-action 12g with 30" bbls made in 1882. There are multiple factory record entries.