Value of my Parkers

[Bill Murphy]

The pictures I was suggesting are of the middle part of the gun where the triggers and hammers are. We need a clear close view of the condition of the engraving and screws that are rather unclear in the first pictures. Thanks.

[Carolyn Kluttz]

Bill,

I will try again next week for closer clearer pictures.

Carolyn

Bullets are the shells fired in firearms with rifled barrels, such as rifles and handguns. Shotshells are fired in shotguns such as your two Parkers. You have been given some good suggestions by other members of the PGCA-perhaps I can help you overcome your concern about dis-assembly of the Vulcan hammerless Parker you have-

First off, the term hammerless is a bit of a misnomer- All firearms have hammers, as they do firing pins, triggers, sears and springs- all part of the "what makes it go Bang" mechanism--

The grade 3 10 has external hammers, which means each hammer is cocked by the shooter's hand, when the corresponding trigger is pulled, the sear releases it to fall against the firing pin that is housed in the receiver area behind the barrels- the pin goes forward, hits the primer of the shotshell and fires the shot- The gun can then br broken open with the top lever, fired shell(s) removed, new shells inserted, gun closed- process repeats itself--

The VH (Vulcan grade H -hammerless- Parker Code has the hammers with the firing pins as one piece inside the receiver, to recock the gun there is internal mechanism- on the Parker, there is a curved hook from the barrel lug (the larger center section found on the underside of the barrels) and when assembled, that mates into a cocking piece and slide that moves when the gun is broken open- if the hammer(s) are down, they will recock, if not, the gun will still open and close at the shooter's wish-

To dis-assemble the VH (or any other Hammerless Parker) first open and then close the gun, cocking the hammers- the forearm section will have a metal recessed half-circle style release, pull that up from its and the forearm will come free from the barrels- there is a lug or loop that a tongue engages from this design- it is spring loaded and designed to hold the forearm in position-

Move the top lever over to the right (counter clockwise) and swing down the barrels and lift them free from the receiver- That's it- re-assemble in reverse order- Now you have access to all the areas the other gentlemen have asked about- for more detailed pictures- they will want to see all the stamped lettering and numbers on the flat sections of the receiver (also called the watertable) and on the flats (undersides) of the barrels and also on the barrel lug(s)-- also, the serial number should be the same on the metal bar inside the forearm (called the forearm iron) as found on both the barrels (usually on a side of the lug) and also on the receiver watertable, and also engraved on the triiger guard bow where it is fastened to the buttstock

As with any fine mechanism, never use force- Parkers were all hand fitted, even the VH(E) and the Trojan grades- with proper care they should outlive all of us- best wishes for your mission to sell these "Old Reliables" in a manner favorable to your situation-

[Carolyn Kluttz]

Mr. Morin,

You will be pleased to know that following your precise directions, I was indeed able to easily dis-assemble and re-assemble my shotgun.

Thank you.

Carolyn