Serial number 4297

[Rob Marshall]

Mr. Smith, that is a really nice Parker. I hope to own one some day that nice. The engraving looks like fireworks exploding. I really like the Dog guns and the engraving that tells a story, but most of those guns are out of my reach.

I learn something new about these old Parkers just about every day on this site by searching the old threads. I really need to invest in The Parker Story too.

I wonder what is the lightest weight 10ga Parker ever built?

[Pa SxS]

Let me try and explain a few things about how I determined both Rob's and Jeffery's Dollar Grade. Remember, there are no Order Books for these guns, order books started in 1877.

Rob's gun was made in 1874. The stock book shows the barrel steel as Twist. Looking at the 1874 Price list, a 10ga. gun with Twist steel barrels sold for $55,65, or 80 dollars. With Stub Twist steel, I'd say his was either a $55 or $65 Dollar Grade gun.

Jeffery's gun was also made in 1874 but his barrel steel was Damascus. Looking at the 1874 price list shows 4 different offerings in 10ga. with Damascus steel barrels. They could be 105, 150, 200, or 250 Dollar Grades. I stated in Jefffery's letter that the grade could not be determined. I believe it's the $105 Dollar Grade but I can't put it in the letter if I'm not sure. I'm not sure where Jeff came up with $100 - $105 grades. And remember, at this point in time, Parker didn't use terms like D grade or grade 3. That started about 1882.

Also, do not make assumptions on stampings such as the "S" found on both guns. You can think it is for Stokes but you don't know for sure. The stock books list the contractor who signed off on each phase of the gun and the name Stokes is not found on either gun entry. The same holds true for all the other stampings we see on Parker shotguns.