Nickel Plated Lifter

[Bruce Day]

Gentlemen, I am posting two photos of a nickel plated Parker 0 grade that is owned by a person well known in the gun industry. The issue is whether the plating is original. He has asked me to look at the gun.

The factory stock book does not show plating, there is no order book. I look at the sharpness of the engraving and stamped letters and see no indication of polishing, which leads me to believe the plating is original.

We know that many guns, such as Mod 12's, were aftermarket plated.

Thoughtful comments are appreciated.

[OH Osthaus]

it is my impression that the plating was often done on guns to be used around salt water.

what is the gauge and barrel length? heavy waterfowler?


looks interesting - when looking at the pictures, the side plate Parker engraving seems to have nickle inside the letters so not engraved after plating, but the pat. no stamping looks like bare steel, they would be finer lines to get into.

I assume plating after market, but it was by a craftsman who refitted the parts well and knew how to apply it properly

thanks for posting it

[ed good]

once had a vh with similar plating.

[Gunner]

Charles Parker certainly owned enough factories and sold myriad plated products that if an order for a nickel plated gun was received it could have been filled without any problem.
Many contemporary guns of the period could be ordered with a nickel finish so its not far fetched to imagine that someone might order a plated Parker and the request honored for a price.
Imagine the possibility and not the usual experience.
Erick

PS How original is the rest of the gun? That should be considered a factor when evaluating the originality of the plating.

[Bruce Day]

Thank you Eric. I had entirely forgotten that the Charles Parker Company had ample plating facilities and did that as part of normal operations.

As previously stated, the order book is missing and the stock book is not illuminating.....they seldom are.

[Dean Romig]

Eric makes a very valid point when he suggests it was likely done at one of the plating companies that Parker had financial interests in.

Bruce, may we see a picture of the left side?

[Autumn Daze]

The nickel plating is clearly very old. Interesting....

[B. Dudley]

By the little that I see, the Checkering on the forend is less than legit.

[Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)]

Bruce

As you know, Parker nickle plated some triggers and firing pin bushings. The lifter button appears to be copper colored which would be consistant with plating of that era. The parts were first plated with copper to bond the nickle.
The engraving sharpness is normal for plated parts, the coating is quite thin.
The overall color and patina is consistant with plated handguns of that era.
Parker seemed to be very acomodating to customers wishes, it would not surprise me if the plating was original as a special order.

Brad

[John Truitt]

my C grade hammer gun has a nickel coated trigger guard that appears very similar.

I think Parker would do what the customer asked