Need identification before restoration

[B. Dudley]

If your gunsmith is not at all familiar with the gun and thinks it unusual, you may want to ask yourself if you want them doing any “restoration” work on it.
Most would not even think of restoring the gun as it appears to be in fine overall conditon and operable.

The serial number is 166. First year of Parker Bros production. So 1869 manufacture. Back action with what looks like Laminated steel barrels.
The “F” has nothing to do with the serial number. Or identification of any sorts.

It would be considered a grade 1. Actually in this time period the grade would be designated by the dollar amount paid, I cannot recall off my head what the dollar amount for this one would be. But it is one step up from the bottom. The base grade would be not engraved and have decarbonized steel barrels. This is the next step up likely.

[Jim Copenhaver]

This being the first time I've gone down the restoration process and completely out of my depth, what would be the "best" approach given the following:

1.) We really want to preserve it for the future.
2.) It will remain in the family. NO intention to sell it.
3.) We are willing to invest in it's preservation and restoration.

Is it valuable enough to warrant restoration and if so what approach would you recommend in terms of gunsmith and/or instructions for restoration?

[Mike McKinney]

This is what I would say. Brian is very knowledgeable and respected, I’m sure his comments earlier is good info and with that said and your intro, I would send it to Brian or someone with lots of Parker knowledge for a qualified evaluation and any suggestions. In the vintage gun circle, original is very valuable. By the way join PGCA and learn all you can.

[Bill Murphy]

Aside from removing and peening or replacing damaged screws, I wouldn't think of any restoration. It is a rare and important Parker with features that would be removed or hidden by a restoration attempt.

[BillCorn]

Hi Brian,
I came across what I think is a first year production Parker SxS 12 ga (s/n 287) that is almost identical to the gun referred to in this thread. Same markings in all the same places, just 287 instead of 166.

It needs some love to get it back to life. I’ll need to heal the cracked stock, which is something I can handle. More concerning is that the left hammer holds at half cock but will not hold at full cock. I'm looking for any insights about what may the issue and how complicated it might be to correct that issue.

Thanks in advance for any insights you can share. I can post pictures if you want them.

Bill