New 1874 Parker Just Aquired

B. Dudley · 05-16-2014, 07:24 PM

I had the opportunity to purchase this grade 1 straight grip 12g. Lifter No. 3832. Made in 1874. 30" Stub Twist barrels on a small 1 frame. The gun weighs in at a very nice 7-1/4 lbs. The condition of this gun is great. The photos don't really do full justice as to how much case color is remaining on the gun. Original checkering is clean, all screws are great.

The gun is equipt with rebounding locks.
The 1866 patent date is hand engraved on the trigger plate which is a little different for a grade 1. Also, the trigger guard has the serial number engraved on it. Many guns earlier that this one did not have the humber engraved on the guard bow.

The gun has very modern and shootable dimensions of 14-3/8' LOP and 1.5"/2.5" drops. Chambers measure at just over 2-5/8" and have longer forcing cones indicating being chambered for paper shells originally.

The bores in the gun are near perfect.

Mr. Hoover would get a kick out of this. The bores are both even tapered from chamber to muzzle. Right starts (at 4" from breech) at .7305" and Left at .7270". At 28" Right is .7235" and Left is .7200" There really no noricable choke in the barrels. Maybe a quick .002 or .003" in the last couple inches.
The bore diameters gradually decrease the whole length of the barrels by about .005" - .010" every couple of inches.

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OH Osthaus · 05-16-2014, 07:53 PM

Very nice gun Brian

Eldon Goddard · 05-16-2014, 08:26 PM

It is amazing to think checkering that old is still in that nice of shape. It must not of been handled very much.

Holeshot · 05-16-2014, 11:24 PM

Brian, I am curious how them tapered chokes will pattern, Dave

Mills · 05-17-2014, 07:52 AM

That is a great find.

edgarspencer · 05-17-2014, 08:07 AM

In 1874, the concept of chokes hadn't really been fully accepted, and Im sure a lot of Parkers still had straight walled tubes, or taper bored. Interestingly, I just shot an 1870s Lancaster, with no chokes, at Clays last week and kept right up with the high tech guys.

StubTwist · 05-17-2014, 08:37 AM

Very nice Brian. I have her twin built 1000 or so units later also in 1874. Pictures in my album. Interesting on the chokes as mine do have constriction mod / mod on one barrel and the shorter 28" are cyl / cyl.

B. Dudley · 05-17-2014, 08:38 AM

It just has 30" long chokes.

Tom · 05-17-2014, 08:54 AM

Nice find Brian, I really like those lifters. Looking forward to getting one myself.

ed good · 05-18-2014, 04:17 PM

very nice.

rst makes a dandy 7/8 oz load that should be safe?