First Parker firearm, some ID questions

[Benjamin Duncan]

Hi all,

New here as of tonight but very interested to read these threads. I've just acquired an 1889 Parker 10ga, serial #58537 with 32" Damascus barrels, frame size 3 and weight of 5lb 8oz according to the ID page. Was wondering if anyone had additional information as I'm having a bit of trouble deciphering the grade (Not sure about the 2 or the E?) and would like to know as much as possible about it. It's a bit rough around a couple of edges but other than the aftermarket butt plate I think this is probably the most gorgeous gun I own.

Thanks for any and all information.

[John Knobelsdorf II]

The entry in the Parker serialization book, Price & Fjestad, page 221 for 58537 reads as:

D2 H 0 C 10 32

Grade 2, Damascus steel, hammerless, no extras, capped pistol grip, in 10 gauge, made with 32 inch barrels.

The numeral 2 on the water table designates the grade. Also, the letter E does too for a 10 gauge. Note the letter E referred to in the first paragraph quoted below.

If you care to really learn and want to study these guns, just go ahead and get the book as soon as you can. If you don’t get it now, you’ll get it later and wish you had it before.

https://www.amazon.com/Parker-Identi.../dp/1886768374

This is from the page on this website about the Parker Brothers grades:

“The Grade 2 production started about 1875, before the grading system was adopted and it sold for $80 (a 80 Dollar grade). As Parker introduced the named grades they named Grade 2 guns E, F, G, H, EH and GH. The GH and EH describes Grade 2 hammerless Parkers, the other names describe Grade 2 hammer guns. These names were based on various gauge and stock configurations.”

“It was a popular gun for the owner that wanted a gun with more adornment that the average gun and was willing to pay about $20 more for a gun that looked better and was well balanced. The Grade 2 had a higher quality of American walnut which has some figure.”

“Most Grade 2 guns have Damascus or Parker Special Steel barrels. They were significantly better engraved than the lower grade guns. Quail, ducks, snipe and woodcock are common figures in the engraving of the frame sides and bottom; the forend latch and screw heads are also engraved. The checkering was deeper and finer than lower grade Parkers. After about 1880, the hard rubber dogs head butt plate and a white metal shied behind the top tang became standard on the Grade 2. Because of the added embellishments, it was very popular with Parker customers.”

“Ejectors were an option on GH grade. These guns with ejectors (GHE) are desirable to collectors and can add as much as 50% to their collector value.”

Production numbers*:

Lifter Hammer 4,555
Top Lever Hammer 7,582
Hammerless 31,778

See at: https://parkerguns.org/ Look for the link to the page titled “Parker Grades”

[John Knobelsdorf II]

Congratulations on having your first Parker Brothers shotgun.

Here are some comments about what I see in the pictures.

– Longer barrels (like 32 inch) are sought after, and respected more nowadays than they used to be. Great for waterfowl and sporting clays. Recent research and testing have made us all a lot more comfortable with Damascus steel barrels. A lot of us really like the look of composite steel barrels. But see below.

It feels like a pleasant surprise for this one to have survived so long without having the barrels cut short years ago. Many suffered that indignity.

– This can clean up and be a lot of fun to shoot. There is a lot of information on this board about things you can do yourself. And things that are best referred out to somebody who’s done it before.

– You can read a lot of information on this board about the importance of barrel wall thickness, and inspection of Damascus steel barrels. That means before you shoot it, you will be getting it to a smith who can do a good inspection. You probably don’t yet have the gauges for it.

– The forend wood appears original. These pictures leave me wondering about the originality of the butt stock. More specifically, would be expecting to see checkering on the curve of the grip, and also a black grip cap.

Will all be interested in updates as you go along.

[Dean Romig]

You have one of the earliest hammerless Parkers made.





.

[B. Dudley]

It is a very early hammerless. I do t have my book right in front of me, but it is in the first 500 or so made, as I think the first hammerless was in the late 57,000 range.

Overall the gun is in very poor cosmetic condition. You mention a non-original buttplate. I cannot see that, but The whole buttstock is also not original.


Correction as per Daves post below. The gun is in the first couple 1000 hammerless made.

[Andy]

That's one LIGHT 10g gun

[Researcher]

The earliest hammerless Parker Bros. serial number in the order books is 55295, ordered in December 1888. The authors of The Parker Story state they examined 55348, 55755, 55892, 55916, 56208 & 56296. I own 56213.

The Grade 2 hammerless guns in 12-gauge and smaller were Quality GH, while the Grade 2 10-gauge guns, which cost $5 more were called Quality EH.

[Bill Murphy]

Andy, the light weight you refer to is the unstruck barrel weight, not the total weight of the gun, which is only confirmed by the scale, not any markings on the gun itself.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Andy, the light weight you refer to is the unstruck barrel weight, not the total weight of the gun, which is only confirmed by the scale, not any markings on the gun itself.

Joke's on me, got it and thank you! I mistakenly thought he weighed the gun.