Help with a Parker that won't break open

Michael McClung · 08-31-2019, 12:28 PM

Hello All,

I am a new member to the forum and recently in possession of a Parker 12. I have already made a dumb mistake with it, and I am hoping someone can guide me a bit:

The gun is serial #63532. from 1890 according to this website. Appears to be a 12 ga. with 30" Parker Twist barrels. I think it is a PHE from what I have read so far, but I could be wrong. Everything about it seems to work perfectly well.

Another barrel and foreshock came with it, from another gun. That serial number was 82295 and the barrels are 16 ga. Damascus Steel, also 30".

Since the 12 ga. and the extra 16 ga. barrels came to me together, I assumed they were interchangeable. I put the 16 ga. barrels on the receiver (and it seemed to fit perfectly) but now the gun will not break back open. The lever on top will not move to the right to release.

I don't want to force it of course! Does anyone know a way that I can break it open and put the correct barrel back on it? I am happy to post pictures if that would help?

I apologize in advance for this foolishness!

Richard Dow · 08-31-2019, 12:42 PM

Michael: I'm probably the last guy that should comment but until the experts see your post I would try this. Tap the butt of the stock on the carpeted floor a few times to see if that helps. Good luck.

Michael McClung · 08-31-2019, 12:46 PM

As a quick follow up, I have already solved my own issue. There were snap caps in the chambers and they just needed to be bumped a little bit away from the receiver. Naturally I had to reveal my dumb move to the internet before figuring this out.

Let me change my question to this: Am I correct that the gun is a PHE? Can anyone help me with a value for this gun? I will post pictures below. Thank you!

Michael McClung · 08-31-2019, 12:46 PM

Thank you Richard - that is exactly what worked!

Michael McClung · 08-31-2019, 12:53 PM

Hopefully these photos will upload...

Michael McClung · 08-31-2019, 12:54 PM

...and a few more:

Michael McClung · 08-31-2019, 12:56 PM

..and the last ones:

Richard Dow · 08-31-2019, 01:03 PM

P grade. Glad your with us.

Michael McClung · 08-31-2019, 01:11 PM

Thank you, Richard. Glad to have found this forum. My reading led me to believe that the gun is hammerless and has ejectors, and would thus be PHE. Is that the grade, or is it simply P grade, and the other designations are not part of the grading? Sorry if this is a dumb question. I am enjoying learning about it though.

Richard Dow · 08-31-2019, 01:38 PM

Yes. The E is for ejectors