Top Lever Hammer Fishtail 1888:

[Bruce B.]

There have certainly been some remarkable Parker Bros. SxS's changing hands lately. This one was very fairly priced (not cheap) had recently surfaced in Pennsylvania and it didn't take too much head scratching for me to make the call. This one won't make any headlines, just a nice original hammer gun with an abundance of color, wonderful checking, and nice furniture. The dogs head butt plate is a nice touch also. The gun is a #1 frame, with 30" barrels (chime real nice), a fishtail lever and is tight as when new in 1888. Well it's not a high grade like the ones I've watched recently, probably a lowly O grade, though it is special. This one has some very nice condition. The bores though not totally spotless are shiny and there's no hint of regret in them. The barrels have no dents but show some kind of staining near the breeches. It's nice to have a Parker delivered to my door and not have it require immediate professional attention. So without further delay here are today's photos.

[Holeshot]

Looks like a nice 1 frame. A very enjoyable gun to shoot.

[Dennis]

Very nice find. Congratulations.

Dennis

[Double Lab]

Nice gun Bruce. Enjoy.

[Bruce B.]

Is this photo of the barrels under the forearm representative of the way they looked originally? The reason I ask is because of the other five Parkers I have, four are Damascus and one is "Stub Twist". This one is my only "Plain Twist" and I wonder if this protected area is a fairly accurate time capsule of when the gun was new, though if anything they look just a bit lighter in color. There really isn't much difference between the protected area and the exposed. I'm presuming there hasn't been much change at all.

[oskar]

Bruce, I have an 1887 gun identical to yours. Congrats on the purchase of this nice gun. How is yours choked? Mine is F/F and throws wonderful patterns with 7/8 oz loads.

I'll take a photo of mine with the fore end off the barrels.

Mike

[Bruce B.]

Mike, Both bores measure .716 at the muzzle. I haven't any idea how much constriction there is in the last 3-4 inches. The gun is going to "smoke clay" regardless of the numbers. I have a case of "B&P" High Pheasant 1oz. loads ready to go. I keep waiting for nice weather to load up the family and burn some powder. As of this moment there is at least 17-18" of snow. Winter wont give up it's grasp around here. Fortunately the fire danger is currently Zero. When we were evacuated last summer my wife couldn't believe her eyes. We had 30 minutes to leave and I was totally focused on packing guns and ammo. We left everything else behind and immediately needed to go shopping for stuff like plates, silver, a coffee pot, groceries, bedding, etc. My priorities are unchanged.

[OLD GEEZER]

Bruce: It looks like a keeper and I'm assuming with a 1 frame it is a 12 ga. Thomas

[Bruce B.]

Yes Thomas, you are correct...12 bore.

[Paul P.]

Great find Bruce. I don't have a fishtail gun yet. I'm still waiting for Thomas to find me a 10ga. fishtail
Enjoy the gun.