Recently aquired a DHE

[Expensive Habit]

I am new to the world of Parker Brother's Guns and enjoying it very much so far. I was very excited to find this site! My husband and I picked up a DHE at auction last week and I am trying to find out as much as I can about it. Value, history, and anything else I can find out! I will be sending for a research letter right away.
Any help anyone can give would be wonderful!

I have been doing a little looking around and comparing, and have noticed that our DHE does not say titanic steel or anything else for that matter on the barrel rib. Most of the ones I have seen on this site do. Is it common to not have that on the rib?

There are lots of proof marks etc under the barrels that we can't see very well or photograph because we can not seem to remove the barrels. They seem loose enough after removing the forend but will not detach. Anyone have any suggestions?
We have located a gunsmith that says he is familiar with Parkers..... so we may go that route if need be.

I have taken lots of pictures and will post a few. I am still trying to figure out percentage of case colors, condition of everything and ????? Kind of confused but I am enjoying the ride so far.

[Dean Romig]

Hello Wendy and welcome to the PGCA.

It looks like the serial number on the trigger guard tang reads 227443 and if this is the case the book shows it to have been made with a capped pistol grip which, obviously, is not the case. I've seen the style of engraving that yours displays on the barrel breech and I don't think it is "Parker" and perhaps someone else can offer an opinion as to who made those barrels. It is also shown to be a twenty gauge with 28" barrels but having been replaced at some time, they may or may not be 28" today.

We caution you about this smith who "says he is familiar with Parkers."
Please tell us where you are so that we can recommend someone who we know is a Parker expert. The problem you are experiencing is known to many of us and it is perplexing, frustrating, and repair should not be attempted by just any smith.

Incidentally, you have a very desirable Parker in very nice condition and it is worth a bunch of money despite the replacement barrels. Please show us some pictures of the whole gun.

Good luck to you.

[J.B. Books]

I think the serno is 227448. Anybody got their book handy?

[Marc Retallack]

#227448- 12ga Grade 3, straight grip, ejectors, 28" Titianic steel barrels

[Wild Skies]

The serial number does appear to be 227448 as Pete stated. The book says it is a DHE 12-ga. with 28" Titanic steel barrels and a straight grip.

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Greg Baehman

The serial number does appear to be 227448 as Pete stated. The book says it is a DHE 12-ga. with 28" Titanic steel barrels and a straight grip.

Helps to have 23" monitor and reading glasses

[Bill Murphy]

You have to tell us where you are and show us a picture of the rib. The little bit of rib we can see is not from the Parker factory. The gun appears to be rebarrelled, but a better picture would comfirm that. One quick fix for the inability to take the gun apart is to fire the gun, empty. If the barrels don't come off, cock and fire the gun again. Often that will free the cocking slide to remove the barrels. When you get the barrels off, lubricate the cocking slide to help free it up. Don't worry about how to identify the cocking slide until you get the barrels off. Post pictures of the bottom of the breech end of the barrels when you get them off.

[Expensive Habit]

Thanks so much for the quick responses and the info!

Sorry I should have included this info in my first post! The serial number is 227448, it is a 12 guage, the barrels are 28" and was told the barrels are belgian nitro proofed. As near as I can tell the gun was made in 1927 or 1928. (two sources, two dates)

I live in Alberta, Canada nearest large city would be Calgary. If you know of a gunsmith anywhere in Alberta that would be fantastic. We are also not far from the Montana border. Not sure of the regs regarding cross border transport etc but I know it can be done with proper permits etc so that may be an option as well.

The picture I have of the barrels and rib do not show the rib very well. I will take some more today and post them. I will try again to remove the barrels following Bill's advice and if successful will have more pics to add.

There is a small rust spot on the butt plate and I am wondering if it is ok to rub it with a little oil? As you can tell I do not know alot about these or any other older shotguns and I would like to do things correctly.

I really appreciate the help!

[Bob Brown]

Wendy, I was at that auction last week. Nice gun, but the Belgian made replacement barrels were the reason I didn't keep bidding on it. The cocking hook was not releasing the barrels, though in the quick look I took the slide didn't seem to be binding. If I had it in hand I would use a curved dental pick to reach in and push the hook back. I live near High Level, Alberta, so I'm a fair distance away.
In my opinion the best gunsmith for doubles in Alberta is Dave Henry in Bentley. The company name is D.Henry Gunmakers. If you don't know Bentley it is between, and a little west, of Red Deer and Edmonton. He is British trained, but he has worked on a few of my Parkers and I was very happy with the result. Welcome to the world of Parkers.

[Expensive Habit]

Hi again everyone, Thanks to Bill Murphy's tip the barrels are now off and pictures have been taken. I hope they are clear enough.
Thanks to Bob Brown for the tip about the gunsmith here in Alberta.
I realize that this gun may not be particularly valuable but I am enjoying the
hunt for info and I am hoping for a shootable gun no matter the monetary value!

Thanks again everyone!!