Old Parker Found... Need Guidance

[John Truitt]

Sir,

If it is not too much trouble, please post/ add a picture of the breech end of your barrels and the rifle tube and its muzzle end attachment.
I have a friend who has read about these type of rifle insert tubes and has two guns which have small cut outs at the breech end which he believes was to fit rifle tubes. He is currently having sets of these made so he may shoot them at the Vintagers rifle competitions.
I have only heard about these types of inserts but never seen any before.

Thank you,
John Truitt

[Austin W Hogan]

David: I am not sure where you live, but if it is any where Pin Tail Point Md, please bring it to the annual meeting. This gun is a real challenge to attempt to grade. We cannot see the damascus pattern in the photos; the gold shield indicates the upper half of the grade ranges; the sparse engraving the lower half. The gun appears to be listed in the archive; perhaps the Research Committee will have some input.
If you are able to come to Pin Tail, many of us will have a grand time analyzing it.
Best, Austin

[Dean Romig]

Quoted from Charlie's "Book":

"D - First Serial 1858, Gun Count 1804, Early guns with "D" quality code have damascus steel barrels, but the quality or grade is inderterminate, majority of these have serials below 6000."

"D2 - First Serial 3830, Grade 2 guns (grades E,F,G, and H) with damascus steel barrels."

"D3 - First Serial 4975, Grade 3 guns with damascus steel barrels."

"D4 - First Serial 4983, Grade 4 guns (C grade) with Damascus steel barrels."

"D5 - First Serial 4982, Grade 5 guns (B grade) with damascus steel barrels."

"D6 - First Serial 5083, Grade 6 guns (A grade) with damascus steel barrels."

I don't understand where we arrive at "Dollar" from the "D" designation, especially where "T" indicates "Twist". To me it appears that the "D" designation, whether stamped on the barrel flats or in a book for "GRA" (grade) indicates Damascus.... but I may be wrong...

[david schmidt]

Gents,

Thanks for all the feedback thus far! Here's some more photos of the stock, etc.











Here's the muzzle end of the rifled insert, with the brass keeper. There are no machined cut-outs. It just nests inside the muzzle.


Here's the breech end, and as you can see there's a mating extractor on the insert.


Sorry... I'm in North Central Indiana, about a half hour from South Bend.

[Dean Romig]

Thanks David, that rifled tube is great! I see that the brass cap helps to align (center) the tube as well as actually tightening it into the barrel.

I can't quite make out the checkering pattern on the forend - can't tell if it is the 2-point (grade 0 & 1) or 3-point (grade 2) pattern.

The checkering pattern shown is the 3-point pattern of the grade 2 guns. The 2-point pattern on the grade 0 & 1 only has the two large checkered diamonds and lacks the much smaller diamond in the center.

[Jeff K.]

David,
I live in Valparaiso. I would be glad to met and look at your gun for you.
Jeff Kuss
jkuss1@verizon.net

[Austin W Hogan]

Dean; See page 216 The Parker Story Dollar Grades.

Best, Austin

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Austin, I'll read that again. It's been a while since I've read the chapters on the grades, specifically page 216.

[Jim Kucaba]

Originally Posted by david schmidt

I recently found several old guns in my late father-in-laws collection, which included what I believe to be a genuine Parker Brothers shotgun. I’ve been told that it’s a knock-off, and I’ve also been told that it’s a genuine Parker Bros but older than the normal “collectible”. So I’m left very confused on what we have and/or what it’s potentially worth. Our goal is to find a good home for it, with someone that can appreciate it. I’m a hunter, but not really a gun collector. And at the same time, my mother-in-law could really use the money to cover my late father-in-law's hospital bills.

If anyone can provide any insight and/or direct me to someone knowledgeable in Northern Indiana, it would be much appreciated.

The details, I can gather, are:

- Serial number matches on all parts and is B2543.

- What I believe is the grade, above the serial number, is F9R.

- On the underside of one of the barrels, near the bridge, is what may have been a C then some spaces and 11. Above it, closer to the flats is a 3.

- And then on the flats, in much smaller stamp, is J.L.

- The bridge between the barrels, says Parker Bros Makers Meriden Conn Damascus Steel

- There’s a rifled insert running the length of one barrel, with its own ejector, but is easily removed, by removing the threaded brass keeper at the muzzle end. It slides right out.

Please pardon my terminology, if any is incorrect.

Here are some photos…

David ... I sent you a "Personal Message" ... Jim Kucaba

[david schmidt]

In looking closer at the rifled tube insert, I found some stamped lettering at the breech end. There's a line that looks like it says "Brown &" and then there's more, but it is covered by some rust. It could probably be uncovered, but I didn't want to risk damaging it.

There's also another line that's half worn and rusted, but it may say "ENTERPRISES". It's smaller text, though.