Early parker bros serial numbers

[gary zehr]

Hi Folks,
Does anyone know how to research the lower numbered parker bro serial numbers. I have been trying to research a parker shot gun. Serial number B 245 T. I had heard that Remington Arms in Illion NY has a gun museum that has a old ledger that lists the orginal owners. Can anyone confirm that. Thanks for any information you can provide.

[Richard Flanders]

Are you sure that T isn't a 1? I couldn't quite tell when I zoomed in on the photo you posted in another thread.

[Bill Murphy]

Serial numbers available for research begin at 1500, according to PGCA stock book charts. Order book information starts in 1877. PGCA records are copies of the Remington research files. You can order a PGCA letter on a gun, but the Remington original ledger books are not normally available for research.

[gary zehr]

Hi Richard,
You have me wondering now if the T is a 1 or a 7. Been looking at all the differnet parts and it does look like a T but could be a 1 or maybe a 7. Wonder if there is anyway to find out if letters were included the serial number.

[gary zehr]

Hi Bill,
Thank you for the information on serial numbers. There seem to be a question on the serial no. It looks like B 245 T (shows the serial no. on four different parts of the gun). But The T could be a 1 or maybe a 7. Is there anyway to verify if the older parkers had letters in the serial no. I think I will try calling the remington arms company in NY. Maybe someone there can provide more info on the gun.

[Blind Dog]

Gary, The "Book" has #2451 as a 12ga underlifter with 30" laminated steel barrels. Kinda looks like yours; very nice gun.

[Bill Murphy]

Unfortunately, the people at Remington know much less about these books and guns than the people at PGCA. You are better to correspond with our research committee about your gun. Buy The Parker Story, send us pictures of your gun and markings, then contact our research committee.

[gary zehr]

Hi Fred,
Thanks for the info. Do you have any info on serial no. 2457. Looking at the gun barrel lug it shows a small s and the number 4. Correct me if I'm wrong, I think that means it is a 10 gauge and the grade is S. Also looks to be a zero grade gun. The barrel is a 30" Damascus and is a underlifter. I thought it was made in 1866 but that was the patented date Nov 13 1866. Looks to be made a little later.

[gary zehr]

Hi Bill,
Thanks for your information. I plan on contacting your research committee but I think I need to determine the serial number first. I do have pictures of the parker on the album thread. can try to get better pictures if need be. any info you can provide is welcome. Not trying to sell gun just want as much history as I can get so that I can pass it on to my son.

[Bindlestiff]

I plugged your ser# into the "Parker Identification" web page and it listed you gun as being made in 1874. That is assuming the number is 2457 or 2451. From the picture I saw it looked more like a 1 than a 7, but either way is seems to be dated to 1874.