Need a Little Help

Ben Swilly · 10-18-2013, 02:09 PM

Same story as usual - inherited Parker ser # 959** from father and trying to get some info.
Can someone please tell me what these number on the barrel flats mean.

I determined the gun was made in 1900, 3-11 is barrel weight and frame size is 1 1/2 per you technical information page, but there are a "3", a "4", a "D" and a "c" that I can't figure out. May just be meaningless stampings but curious.

Dean Freeman · 10-18-2013, 02:11 PM

3 is the grade of your gun (or a DH grade), Unless its a 4 or C grade; and D is for Damascus bbls. 4 is for how many people will try to buy the gun from you today. Very nice, can you post more pics for us? That 11/2 frame is quite a nice touch too.

Bill Murphy · 10-18-2013, 05:00 PM

Extremely early for a 1 1/2 frame, I think. D is for Damascus. This looks like a really nice light little gun.

wayne goerres · 10-18-2013, 07:58 PM

The D is for damascud the 3 -11 is the weight of the barrels The grade mark will be on the water table. it will be right above the serial no. and should be a 3 or a D both of witch would be a D grade. The C may be an inspectors mark or a remington repair code. Have no idea what the 4 is.

charlie cleveland · 10-18-2013, 08:05 PM

i think the 4 is the grade of the damascus barrels... charlie

Ben Swilly · 10-20-2013, 03:38 PM

Thanks for the responses.

Bill, total weight is 7lbs 2oz. I thought frame size was 1 but missed the faint 1/2 after it (see photo).

From grandfather, father, to me.

Last fired in 1930's, stored in closet wrapped in blankets, now in friend's gun safe.
As requested some more pictures:

edgarspencer · 10-20-2013, 05:02 PM

I believe Charlie is correct, D4 is the grade of Damascus. It appears to have a Dogs Head Butt Plate, which may have been a special order. Most D grades had either a skeleton butt plate or a recoil pad.
I love the long scallops on the early frames

I don't understand why people are reluctant to post the entire serial number. With that, members will be able to look it up in the Serialization Book and give you it's configuration as it left the factory.
Nonetheless, consider joining the PGCA and order a letter.

Bill Murphy · 10-20-2013, 05:09 PM

It looks like a fine gun. The misaligned screws in the floorplate are probably a result of them being reinstalled in the wrong holes after disassembly. Try filing a perfect fitting screwdriver and switching them from side to side. They will probably line up perfectly. The alternative is to leave them as is until you can get your gun to a real gunsmith. Your gun has at least two special order features and deserves a PGCA letter to inform you of any information on the original purchaser.

Ben Swilly · 10-20-2013, 08:34 PM

I was told by a retired police detective never to post complete serial number.
If gun is not registered, someone can report gun as stolen using your serial number.

Just checked photos of other Parkers on your website and surprised that all floor-plate screws do line up vertically. Will try switching as suggested (only if not too tight). Thanks.

Yes, butt plate has dog's head. Screws line up 11 o'clock to 5 o'clock

I'll try switching those also.

Ben Swilly · 06-14-2014, 07:28 PM

Trying to get an idea of gun's value for posting on Gunbroker.
Blue Book of Gun Values doesn't give table of prices for Damascus barreled guns.
I know it is difficult to price without seeing the gun, but would appreciate an approximate range.