My first Parker - a 12 ga. hammer lifter

[James Fish]

I’ve been registered here for a while, and I’ve had this Parker for a while also, but I’ve been busy with work. Well, now I’m finally ready to stick a toe in. As far as I can tell this gun is all original. Reading posts, I’ve picked up some information on members that deal with parts like offset firing pins and barrel work. What I wanted to do with this post is just start a discussion and put some pictures out so I can benefit from the loads of experience here.

From your very helpful guide to provenance, I’ve been able to deduce the following:
Hammer underlifter
Straight grip
12 ga
S/N 19573 Made 1880
Grade 0 T
Frame size 2
30 inch plain twist barrels

Some obvious problems are that it’s loose, and I believe the screw that attaches the top strap through the wrist to the trigger plate may be a replacement; it’s a very tight fit, and the threads seem a little flattened. I dropped the screw through the top strap with the action off the gun, and the screw head doesn’t fit into the recess without being tapped in. Also, if I try to thread the screw into the trigger plate with the trigger plate off the gun, it turns very reluctantly. Thirdly, if I try to drop the screw through the wrist, it doesn’t pass through easily and again must be tapped through, which is nerve-racking because of the age of the stock.

Here are some photos - sorry for the shadow, the lighting here isn’t very good, but I will take some more photos outdoors later.

[Mike Franzen]

Xxx

[Mike Franzen]

James, welcome to the pgca and thank you for becoming a member. There are people on here who can better direct your efforts than I, so just wait for them to weigh in. I would try to take as clear a photo of any affected part or area on your Parker. Btw … it looks to be a nice gun.

[James Fish]

Hello Mike,

Thank you for the warm welcome - I will take some pictures outside today so the light should be much better. I probably should have just waited, but last night I was itching to get on here and get the ball rolling. I look forward to learning and maybe later being able to pay it down the road and pass on what I’ve learned.

James

[James Fish]

I managed to get out and take some better photos.

These are general photos of the overall condition. You’ll notice that on some lifter is not present. I have the gun apart, and I partially assembled it and just slipped the lifter in for completeness’ sake. It started raining before I got a shot of the left side. When I came back outside, I had forgotten to put the lifter back in.

Shortly, I’ll post some pictures of some of the issues.

[James Fish]

I’m a little suspicious about the screw that goes through the top strap, through the wrist and screws into the trigger plate. I have a notion that this screw is probably supposed to be a tight fit because it has a lot of important work to do, but I don’t like the way the threads look, and they don’t screw into the trigger plate easily when not under stress.

I was able to remove the broken firing pin from the right side because I was able to unscrew what I’m going to call the nipple on the right side. However, the nipple on the left side won’t budge and I’m reluctant to force it. I will need a set of firing pins.

Finally, the breach end of the barrels are loose on the face.

Of course, this is all I was able to come up with using my untrained eye.

Please feel free to correct me on my vocabulary, and to otherwise set me straight on anything you see here. I’m grateful to benefit from the wealth of experience here.