[Bruce Day]

So we know this gun was special order only at an extra $15, plus $80 for the base gun, for a total of $95, a lot of money in 1885. Why it is uncheckered is unknown, and not in the gun's order records.

Following are photos of the appropriate level of disassembly .

Several matter are apparent, and I'll be over explanatory for Parker people so that novices might be helped.

Note the SN on most parts including the trigger guard bow and stock inletted channel. That is a factory mark and if not there, they are probably not factory.

External hammer Parkers are easier to disassemble than internal hammer Parkers.

I was able to pull out very little oil from the stock head using a hair dryer. Because of this I conclude there is little oil soaking and no need to immerse the head in a solvent. Nothing is soft, I cannot dig a fingernail into the wood, everything is solid. There is a tiny crack at the end of the right lock, turns out it is a surface crack only....I'll put glue on it and leave it alone. I was able to get out less oil than expected.

There are two cracks on the grip , one on each side emanating from the internal step in the frame tang inletted channel. I can't get these to spread open, they do not extend laterally across the channel, so I 'll simply glue these on each side without trying to dig out the crack line, and let it go at that.

Of some puzzlement are the locks. Look at the sear arms, the half round pegs that extend laterally and contact the top of each trigger block. The left sear arm is considerably worn. The trigger felt normal, the hammer locked fine, but the left sear arm is worn although normally the right gets more use. I think I'll just leave it alone but watch for inadvertent doubling.

The rest of the frame components are fine, photos are shown, I'm not going to completely disassemble them, and they are sufficiently cleaned and ready to be put back together.