SN 10, 187

[Bruce Day]

An 1877 12ga 0 grade ( dollar equivalent). One frame and light , about 7 lbs. 30" barrels. In original case. I am uncertain if this is a Parker produced case but I am relatively certain that the case is original to the gun. I have never seen these intricate cast brass case corners before, I don't know if they are known to others.

This gun has the original Parker produced twist steel barrels that were provided in the late 1870's. They are historically interesting but because they do not have the iron / steel contrast of the later Belgium made stub twist and London twist barrels, they are not as attractive in my opinion.

This gun is one of few left that is complete and unaltered and not abused. I disassembled and cleaned the action and locks, barrels and stock. I cleaned the dirt off and refreshed the finish without taking off the existing remaining finish.

In historical perspective this gun was made one year after Custer went to Montana and while few ventured into the Comanche controlled country on southwest Kansas , northwest Oklahoma and all of west Texas. That whole part of the country was uncontrolled by the U.S. Army.

[Bruce Day]

Xxx

[Bruce Day]

Unusual cast brass corners top and bottom of case

I shined them with Bartenders Friend The acid took the oxidation and grunge off. They were completely black before and were mistaken for Bakelite. This was the only way to get some brass color back I'll see if I can devise a way for these to slightly oxidize back to get some patina on.

[Harry Collins]

If my count is correct the case holds 134 shells. What a find!

[Bruce Day]

Originally Posted by Harry Collins

If my count is correct the case holds 134 shells. What a find!

I have a theory why the handle broke.

[Dean Romig]

134 shells that is definitely a gun for "Injun Country" with enough left over to feed the family. What a find!





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[edgarspencer]

I am certain you are correct that the case was supplied by Charles Parker. What tells me this is the cast corners were almost certainly made by the Edward Miller Co. Edward Miller was eventually bought by Bradley and Hubbard. The connection of these companies to Charles Parker is well documented. The Miller foundry was strictly a Brass foundry, and Parker's foundry, on site at Cherry St. was strictly and Iron foundry. Bradley & Hubbard also had an iron foundry, and closed their own brass foundry when they acquired Miller.
Without telling me your theory on the handle failure, Bruce, I suspect mine may be similar.

[Bruce Day]

Thanks Edgar. I was uncertain if this was a Parker case, but it now seems to be. Thanks for the information about the brass corner castings. They are very high quality.

I have some pits and striations in the barrels and will work on them. Average wall thickness is mid 30s but I don't like to aggressively hone barrels and would rather live with imperfect barrels.

[Bruce Day]

A Parker made case or even a case provided contemporaneously with the gun is a prized find for many collectors. Many hammer guns seem to have been originally supplied in cases that contain reloading tools and shell holes. We wonder why we find so few of those cased guns today.

I have a story of an event that just happened. A friend found an original fitted cased hammer Parker at a gun show being sold by a tabletop dealer. He was interested, wanted a little time to consider it and continued his walk around. He decided to buy, came back to the table but the gun had been sold to another tabletop dealer, but the case was still there. The purchaser had not wanted the case as it was just an old case in need of repair. My friend was interested in the case and the fellow told him to just take the case and it's free.

So this is how it happens. We have gun dealers with no appreciation for the guns or their history and their only care is how fast they can make a buck off the sale of an old Parker, Smith, Lefever, Holland and Holland. I've heard these people say things to potential purchasers that are clearly false in order to make a sale. A pox on the bunch of them.

[Mills]

Is this a new acquisition? Very nice