Early and Rough, but still a Parker…

[Jay Oliver]

Here are some pictures of Serial# 037, a 12 gauge back action with decarbonized steel barrels. It has been well used. I am restoring #46 and was hoping this would answer some questions, which it did. I hadn’t seen a forend tip from an early back action(as my #46 was missing the forend tip) which has a Schnabel look/influence.

This gun has many condition issues, but I am glad I got it. Barrels are cut to 24” There are a few minor dents that should be easily removed. The bores are pitted, but look to be shootable with light loads/black powder. The barrels do not have a serial number, I am not sure if this was removed or if this is a replacement set of barrels. There are only so many barrels that would have fit this gun, but they could be replacements. Also interesting, is this is the first back action I have seen where the lifter action has been modified so the pin doesn’t go up when the action is open. Maybe it went back to Parker for this…

The left hammer is a replacement and the right hammer, while original, is broken. The trigger plate is a newer replacement, which I new when I bid on it. It has the later patent dates which this early gun would not have had. This gun should have a patent date on the tang, but is not present.

It has it’s share of bumps and bruises, but for an early gun it certainly could be worse. The locks are non-rebounding and original, and work. I was initially thinking this would be a parts gun for my other project, but I think I am going to save this one too.