My 1899 Parker 12 gauge

D. Shane Burton · 10-18-2010, 09:21 PM

Hey guys, I just wanted to post some info and pics of my two Parkers, so I can get some feedback about them and also figure out possible value. Any idea on condition?

Parker Brothers 12 gauge, frame size 2, weight = 4, and Kf mark. Both barrel chambers measure 0.812in. The depth to the powder ring in the chambers is 2 1/2in. The choke on the right barrel is 0.740 horizontal and 0.715 vertical (not perfectly round). The choke on the left barrel is 0.735 horizontal, 0.715 vertical. Chokes are ??? Barrel lengths are 24 5/8in.

It has the Parker Brothers and hunting dog buttplate and a plain gold shield on the lower stock. Its serial number is 93289, dating it 1899.

Something inside causes spring resistance when you open the action and it doesn't set the firing pins/triggers. The triggers fall into a fired position if you flip the safety off, but the pins don't drop. I will look into having it repaired. It's condition is the rougher of the two Parkers I have. I'll let the following pictures speak for themselves. I'll put up more after this. In the second picture, the 12 is at the top:

LINKS TO BIG PICTURES NOW FIXED:

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Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Harry Collins · 10-18-2010, 10:10 PM

Shane,

93289 is in the "Book" and listed as a VH with capped pistol grip and 30" barrels. Your barrels have been cut off and are cylinder and cylinder. Don't dispare as this will make a great bird gun. I don't think the cocking hook on the barrel lug has ingaged the cocking lever. Could be it is just cruded up and stuck in a position that it will not catch. Take the barrels off the gun and see if the little hook that hangs between tthe lugs moves freely. It is spring loaded. Let us know.

Kindest, Harry

D. Shane Burton · 10-18-2010, 10:21 PM

Thanks, Harry. I'm disappointed to hear they've been cut down, as I was hoping the gun hadn't been modified. I bought it more as a collector than actual shooter, especially with the mechanical issues. The problem it has will not allow the barrel assembly to slide out of the action, so I can't get it apart in the normal way; any idea what to do? How bad do the cut-down barrels affect the value?

Shane

D. Shane Burton · 10-18-2010, 10:40 PM

Harry, could you check my 16 gauge in the other thread? I'm having a sinking feeling it will be cut-down too, as it has barrels have similar measurements for the choke and the barrels are 24".

Shane

VH20 · 10-19-2010, 12:26 AM

When you remove the forend from the gun, look at the "knuckle", which is the part of the receiver that is normally covered by the curved end of the forend when it is in place. From the knuckle of the receiver, you should see a small pin protruding. If it is not protruding (or if it is, but not far enough) then the cocking mechanism has not disengaged from the barrels. Use some gun solvent and soak the pin and the hole in the knuckle it resides in. Then flick it, tap it, etc. until it pops out (maybe 3/16 or 1/4 in.?). This should cause the cocking mechanism to disengage so you can get the barrels off. Another trick to jar the pin loose is to dry-fire the gun with the forend removed, but it sounds like your gun isn't cocking right, so you may not be able to do that. If the pin won't protrude, let it soak in solvent overnight and try it again later.

Jim

D. Shane Burton · 10-19-2010, 12:43 AM

Thanks, Jim, but that little pin is protruding just like the one on my 16 that's working. I actually have spring tension pushing back against my hand when I move the barrels to the full open position. They won't cock the triggers or let the barrels stay all the way open. They're forced back partially closed by spring pressure if I let them go. Hmm...

Shane

Ed Blake · 10-19-2010, 08:39 AM

In terms of value they are worth more as parts guns than anything. I would be very hesitant to shoot either one.

D. Shane Burton · 10-19-2010, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Blake

In terms of value they are worth more as parts guns than anything. I would be very hesitant to shoot either one.

Any idea of a $ value? I know what I paid for them, so I'd like to know where I stand--if I took a loss or not.

Thanks,
Shane

Harry Collins · 10-19-2010, 11:48 AM

Shane,

I have a few Parkers I picked up for $350.00 and less that I shoot. I would have to have yours in hand to know if I would shoot and use them.

Harry

D. Shane Burton · 10-19-2010, 12:22 PM

Harry, since the 16 GA barrels were only cut approximately 2 inches, making them about Improved Cylinders, would they be safe to shoot, do you think? Especially if I had a gunsmith put the slightly out-of-round one back in round? Check out the picture:

I'm thinking the 16 GA is in good enough mechanical shape to be a shooter, but I'm going to have a gunsmith look it over first. It's a little bit loose. The 12 GA is basically a wall-hanger/parts gun.

http://img43.imageshack.us/i/p9100048s.jpg

Shane