Greetings

[Robert Fuller]

New kid on the forum and looking for help on researching info on a Parker SxS Top Lever Hammer gun that was rescued from the rafters. From what I can make out on the barrels and water table the serial number looks like P6390 (circa 1875?). Want to give the old girl a well deserved warm and dry place to stay........I've attached some picts in the hope that you all can help me with a little history on her. Appreciate any insight you care to share......

Thanks,
BobF

[Dean Romig]

Hi Bob and welcome to the PGCA website.

If you go to our Home page and look at some of the Parker Bros. shotguns there, the grades and how to identify your Parker Bros. shotgun you will see that yours is not a Parker Bros. shotgun but rather an inexpensive import riding on the good name of Parker Bros. Yours likely says T. Parker or S. Parker or some such... but it is unfortunately not even distant kin to the Parker Bros. shotguns we are enamored of.

[Robert Fuller]

Dean,
Thanks for the quick response......I'll definitely look into the import aspects you refer to. The hammer side plates are engraved only with "Parker" but thanks for the clues........talley ho!

[OH Osthaus]

Robert- unlike most of the Belgium junk with the Parker name we see, your gun's proof marks show it to be a British gun from Birmingham, although a lower grade maybe made for export. there were several Parkers in the gun business in England dating back to the 1700s.

what I find interesting is the 12 in a diamond -I am not an expert on British marks - but that mark I thought was later and from the London proof house for chamber length. Possibly there was a later alteration done by a London repairman.

posting it on the doublegunshop.com board may get you a better answer.

[Robert Fuller]

Thanks for all your help.......I actually did some searching on the Birmingham Proof houses (2)and found some interesting pictures and info....as I frequently tell my children....."it's not the destination, it's the trip that counts." Looks like I'm hooked on pulling on the thread until I unravel this sweater.....I'll post what I find just for posterity.......Appreciate everyone's help.....

Thanks,
BobF