Parker Sample Gun

[Ron Scott]

I was rushed when he showed me the gun. I'll see if I can get another look at the gun. If so I'll take a picture and get the serial number. I think he was calling it a "sample gun / salesmen's gun" in error. When I asked ChatGPT about them I got this:

"Yes, Parker Brothers did make what is referred to as a "salesman's gun," also known as a "sample gun." These guns were created as demonstration pieces for salesmen to showcase the variety of damascus patterns Parker Brothers could offer on their shotgun barrels.

"A Parker "salesman’s gun" typically had different types of damascus steel patterns on each barrel, such as "chain damascus," "fine damascus," or "crolle damascus." The idea was to provide prospective buyers with a tangible display of the craftsmanship and quality of their damascus barrels.

"These guns are quite rare and highly sought after by collectors due to their uniqueness and historical significance. They serve as an excellent example of Parker Brothers' marketing strategy and their emphasis on craftsmanship during the golden age of shotgun manufacturing."

Note that the answer doesn't include the information that these sample guns were all lifter-action guns.

I was thinking that even though it is not a true sample gun it is still rare -- like a rare coin that was misstruck -- and should be worth more because of its rarity.