Serial Number Question

[Frank Formeister]

Dear fellow enthusiasts - I'm a new member who has owned a Parker, that my father gave me, for many years.

Recently, I became interested in finding out more about this gun, S/N 3061. I find this same number many times on various areas of the gun but on the watertable there's a "B" in front of the 3.

Does anyone know what this means and the "F.9R. above it?

Any help or more info on this gun would be appreciated.

[Pa SxS]

Welcome Frank!

What a great old Parker you have! Your gun was made in 1874 and unfortunately we don't really know too much about these Dollar Grade guns because the records don't really tell us much in trying to grade them. The guns were constantly changing in engraving style.

As to the "B" prefix and the F.9.R, we believe they were inspectors marks but again, it's just speculation.

If I had to guess as to the Dollar Grade of your gun based on the barrel steel which is Damascus and the amount of limited but tasteful engraving, it could either be a $100 or $150 Dollar Grade gun. With the presence of the sunburst engraving on top of the bolsters, I'd say it's a $150 Dollar grade gun but it's just a guess.

[Frank Formeister]

Thank you Mr. Bishop for your prompt and experienced reply. Due to the age of this gun would you agree that a research letter might not be helpful in determining any additional information?

[Dean Romig]

Frank, may we see a picture of the checkering style of the forend please? That would help greatly in determining the dollar grade.

It obviously has non-rebounding hammers as depicted by the hammers being in the "half-cock" position away from the strikers. Is the lifter pin at the top of the frame still operational? Some were non-operational just prior to their being discontinued.

Dean

[Frank Formeister]

Dean, hear are some pics you requested, plus a few more. I'm not familiar with the "lifter pin" you asked about, but I don't think I have it.

Thanks

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Frank. The three-point checkering pattern on the forend is believed to be an indication that it is the pre-courser to the Grade 2 and yours has that pattern.

[Dean Romig]

When the lifter is fully depressed does the round pin in the top of the frame protrude?

[Pa SxS]

Frank,

It's always nice to have an official PGCA letter for a gun. In your case, what you would be getting is basic build information plus patterning data.

[Frank Formeister]

There appears to be a round pin between the firing pin breeches but no, it does not lift.

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Larry, yours is one of those that were made non-functional. Later frames didn't have that feature at all due to a design change.