Determing the value of a gun.

[Rich Stearns]

At closer look the marking on the latch might not be a 4. Here is a blow up of the shot

[Buddy Harrison]

Rich, The wording following the serial number in one of your latter pictures appears to me to read "PATD May ? 1907"

[Researcher]

The stamping on the ejector forearm irons is "PATD,MAY 7,1901" the date of King & Hayes Patent No. 673641 covering the ejector mechanism.

[Rich Stearns]

Thank you. I would have never figured that out

[Rich Stearns]

Thank you I guess this site can figure anything out on this gun. Once you know what it is I see it.

[Researcher]

The only feature, of non-Parker origin on your gun, that jumps out at me is the gold wash on the Deeley latch on the fore end.

FWIW the Parker Bros. forearm latch is not a Deeley. The Deeley & Edge latch was patent protected (U.S. Patent No. 140482 granted to J. Deely & J.S. Edge, Jr. July 1, 1873) and licensed to E. Remington & Sons April 24, 1879, and was used on their Model 1879 lifter and all top-lever models.

The Parker Bros. forearm latch was a Charles King design Patent No. 201816 granted Mar. 26, 1878, a date often stamped on the latch.

The forearm latch and the metal tip of the forearm were normally color case hardened, not blued and gold washed as 217264 now is.

[John Davis]

The operative word here is “normally.” Never say never with a Parker.

[Craig Larter]

So zero case color and 100% blue on major parts. Gold and blue on components never before seen on a Parker. 1950's white line recoil pad. Stock finish and detail look redone. It's a great Parker but I still believe it has been restored, refinished at some point. Just my opinion as a Parker student in training.

[Researcher]

The other thing that I have always wondered is do you think the gun came with the pad on the stock?

Perhaps the letter from Chuck will reveal if 217264 started life with a recoil pad or not, but it certainly did not have the IMPERIAL "White Line" you have pictured. Fray-Mershon was founded in 1935, but by 1948 it was Mershon Company, Inc.

Here is a link to an earlier thread on Parkers and Mershon recoil pads.

https://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5709

[Eddie Kay]

Didn't Pachmayer restore shotguns years ago?