New member in need of assistance

[Gordon Holman]

Hello, I am Gordon Holman and I inherited my grandfather Edward P. Parker's Parker Bros. shotgun. My grandfather was born in 1864, was a cattleman, ran a group of saloons in Montana, went to the Alaska Gold Rush seeking his fortune, returned to Portland, OR about 1900, bought a cattle ranch east of Burns, OR and in his later years lived in N. ID where he trapped, ran a dude ranch, and distilled liquor during Prohibition. Colorful past.

My grandfather cherished his Parker and from the patina on the stock he used it often. He was a working man so the shotgun was acquired for its utility vs. hanging over the fireplace or on a wall. I found the PGCA via viewing the Gun Values Board website and a post by an individual that directly referred to PGCA as a location for detailed information on Parkers. I was amazed at what I could find so easily and how other members were so quick to provide helpful information to queries.

Here is what I think I know about the shotgun: 16 gauge, patent date of 3/26/78, Serial #144909, safe switch, Parker Bros. engraved on the metal just forward of the triggers on either side of the gun, & when disassembled it reads "Pat'd Jan 18 Aug 16, 1887 May 7 Oct 8 1889 Pat. Aug 15, 1905. A stamped V and 144909. Other ID marks are a WK in a circle, an inverted V with a partial circle under it, something else that looks kind of like an e with a mark to the right, a 1 and 909 engraved on the back end of the barrels. I also believe the V refers to the VH model. I don't believe it has ejectors. The safe switch appears locked and I have not tried to force it so the triggers can be pulled.

I have taken photos of the entire shotgun but most of the ID numbers can't be made out. There is some scaring to the wood stock. The checkering is worn, smooth, and has patina. There is a small chip out of the butt plate and the Parker Bros. logo on the butt plate and near the grip are very well worn. There are some dents on both barrels and you can likely see those in the photos. They are all within 10" or so from the end of the barrels.

I would appreciate any other information you could provide me on this Parker, what I should or should not do to preserve it, what a fair value might be for the shotgun, and should you know of someone who might be interested in this Parker to pass along my story and photos to them. My wife has indicated that if something happens to me that she will turn this into the local police for destruction. That would be a shame. In advance, thanks for your assistance. Gordon

P.S. I guess I don't know how to upload photos so maybe later.