Parker 10 Ga. 3-1/2” help

[Todd Porter]

Deer Parker friends, Can someone tell me anything about this old shotgun? The serial number is; 60990. It is a 10 gauge, and a 3-1/2 inch fits. It appears to have a Damascus barrel. There are no cracks in the stock, and it seems a butt cover had been placed on the butt stock for some time because a line is visible from dark to light color. The butt plate is in excellent condition because of the cover worn. I can’t find any info on any Parker being chambered for 10 ga 3-1/2”. I have read some chambers have been reamed out or made longer. Any info would be appreciated.

[OH Osthaus]

pictures?


what other markings are on the gun? engraving?


there are records to get a letter, that may reference the chambers

but please keep in mind that the chamber length is not measured with a loaded shell

it is the length of an unfired hull

[John Knobelsdorf II]

There are several around that number that are ten (10) gauge.

Pictures and more details will help.

This is because Price & Fjestad in the “Serialization Book” indicate 60990 will be a 12 gauge. The book is known to have typos, so the actual piece in your hand (and pictures) will let you tap into the forum knowledge bank.

Chamber size is not indicated in the book.

How have you measured the chamber size?

[Craig Budgeon]

Do not shoot that gun with any loads until you have had a DOUBLES EXPERT check those chambers. That gun was not built for 3.5" loads.

[B. Dudley]

Just because a 3.5" shell "Fits" does not mean it is chambered 3.5".

I am sure if they made a 4" shell, it would "fit" as well.

Have the gun properly checked out. Please.

[Researcher]

Back in the 1890s our ammunition companies offered 10-gauge shells in lengths from 2 5/8 inch to 3 1/4 inch. While the heaviest loads the ammunition companies offered were 1 1/4 ounce, I'm sure many old timers were stuffing a lot more in those long cases. The 10-gauge had pretty much settled in to 2 7/8 inch by the turn of the century. NPEs in the various lengths were still cataloged for a while, but none longer than 2 7/8 inch survived The Great War.

[Phil C]

My Grade 2 ( Quality G ) made in 1890 SN 60065 letters to have been ordered with 3” chambers and 100 3” Berdan brass shells.

[6pt-Sika]

I swear for goodness I can’t seem to stop acquiring Parker 10’s . Had what appears to be a rather decent PH arrive at the shop yesterday , this is a mid teens gun I think it’s the youngest 10 gauge I own . Most of mine are 1881-1900 as far as 10’s are concerned .

[Researcher]

Charlie Price did a presentation at the 7th Annual Meeting and Conference at Cleveland, Ohio, July 21, 2001, titled Parker Gun Gauges Over the Years.

Charlie's tables show 10-gauge production peaking in the 1881 to 1885 period with 11,632 made, but even at that behind the 14,470 12-gauges. From then on 10-gauge production fell sharply --

1886 to 1890 --4294
1891 to 1895 --2526
1896 to 1900 ---311
1901 to 1905 ---340
1906 to 1910 ---181
1911 to 1915 ----88
1916 to 1920 ---156
1921 to 1925 ----79
1926 to 1930 ----84
1931 to 1935 -----8
1937 to 1942 -----7

[Todd Porter]

Originally Posted by Todd Porter

Deer Parker friends, Can someone tell me anything about this old shotgun? The serial number is; 60990. It is a 10 gauge, and a 3-1/2 inch fits. It appears to have a Damascus barrel. There are no cracks in the stock, and it seems a butt cover had been placed on the butt stock for some time because a line is visible from dark to light color. The butt plate is in excellent condition because of the cover worn. I can’t find any info on any Parker being chambered for 10 ga 3-1/2”. I have read some chambers have been reamed out or made longer. Any info would be appreciated.

Here are some pics, please bare with me