Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Chuck Bishop for his expediency in researching my shotgun. Thank you!
Note the length of the shells ordered.
Mr. Tibballs was certainly outfitted adequately. The 3-1/4" paper shells were probably empty hulls to be hand loaded. Three inch nickel shells will have to be substituted with 2-7/8" ones, due to availability.
I have identified the Laminated barrel set as “Pointille” pattern, found on many grades of Parkers around c.1890. Some Lettered Damascus guns actually are fitted with Laminate Steel barrels.
Hello Mr. Bruner,
Parker shotgun, serial number 47282, was ordered by H.L. Tibballs of the Washington Territories on February 13, 1886 and shipped on April 4, 1886. According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 16, it was a Quality D, Lifter Action Hammer Gun, 10 gauge. It featured Damascus steel barrels with a length of 32 inches and choked to shoot “close”. Also ordered was a set of 32” Laminated steel barrels requested to be bored cylinder. Accessories ordered were: #320 Shell top gun case $12.00, #87 Ammunition case $7.00, #330 Rod $3.00, #213 Choke bore cleaner $.85, #1145 Breach cleaner $1.25, #31 Closer $1.75, 3 dozen 3” nickel shells $9.00, 200 paper 3 1 4” shells $2.60, #1185 Capper $1.25, and #83 Cartridge belt $6.50.
The price was $185.45 less 20%.
According to Parker Bros. Stock Book No. 17, the stock configuration was a capped pistol grip and its specifications were: Length of Pull: 14 1/2”, Drop at Heel: 3”, Weight: 11 pounds and 1 ounce with Damascus barrels and 10 pounds 11 ounces with Laminated barrels. The chokes were patterned RH 200 pellets and LH 200 pellets of size 8 shot in a 24” circle at 45 yards for the Damascus barrels and RH 125 pellets and LH 125 pellets of size 8 shot in a 24” circle at 45 yards for the Laminated barrels.