Here are a few pics of my Parkers...

[charlie cleveland]

i have a back action gun would have to look up the serial no i know its in the 4 thousand range serial no.its one of those guns marked plain steel on the barrel i think tps said these guns were made in 1875 with this type steel....mines a 10 ga bought it on gunbroker for a 12 ga....charlie

[Dan Ratliff]

with what we have seen on these 2 Parkers..... What would an honest value be on them? I know it is impossible to assign an exact $$ amount without a solid appraisal but a general idea?

[Jeff Bonadurer]

Hi Dan,

Very nice shotguns. There is a wealth of knowledge here on the PGCA forums.
I once knew a Dan Ratliff, he worked in the aviation maintenance field. Same Ratliff ? Thanks for posting the photos.

Best regards,

Jeff Bonadurer

[Dan Ratliff]

Jeff,
I am finding that out! Many helpful people with a wealth of information. It is MUCH appreciated.
Certainly not the same Ratliff. I was in the Military for 6 years but I was an Electronics Tech at NAS Norfolk then on board USS Abraham Lincoln.

[Hammer Gun]

A lot of the early back action guns are chambered for the 12b shell, Those are nice guns Dan you should be proud of them, Gary

[Bill Zachow]

Not meant to be a negative, but has the wood been refinished on 101? The reason I ask is because it looks too good, compared to the metal finish. By the way, I own back action 286 that I purchased from Austen Hogan around 15 years ago.

[Dan Ratliff]

I know very little about 101. I am under the assumption that everything is original, however I can not assure this. I was hoping that someone here would be able to shed a little light on this.
No negativity is perceived in the question. I thought the same thing. Being SN101, I was/am concerned about the authenticity.

(Edited by John Dunkle to conform to the rules of this forum. Thank you)

[Gunner]

Dan, The 101 back action is a smashing gun. If "a 12 ga shell fits nicely," It is most likely a 12. This would make it a $110 Dollar Grade in the initial catalog which listed both the 11 and 12 ga at $110 in laminated or Damascus steel.

For $125, it listed the same gun in a 10 ga.

Below this grade was a decarbonized steel back action gun which was listed for $75

The fore end metal tip is plain without the raised lip. I have SN 1274, a later gun that has the raised lip on the fore end tip but with decarbonized steel barrels and much plainer checkering. My gun is more of a relic.

The checkering on you gun is surprisingly intricate and well executed but I am no authority.

You asked about the superposed "s" in "Bros" on the top rib and this is typical and in no way unusual.

Sorry, I can't help you with values on your guns and frankly I don't think you can expect any realistic evaluation on the internet. It would be necessary for someone examine the gun in hand and to know values to be of any help to you. If it were an 11 ga. it certainly would be more valuable and as a laminated steel back action this is a big plus.

Best Regards,
Erick

[Bindlestiff]

If you can, measure the nominal bore size of the barrels. A 12 ga should measure .729 and an 11 ga should measure .750. If they measure something else don't be to surprised. Just one test to try.

[Bill Murphy]

Many early 12 gauge Parkers have bores as large or even larger than .750. The bore is not a test for 11 gauge. The test to determine an 11 gauge gun is in the chamber. Since the chamber can be enlarged, that is not a reliable test. The order book or stock book is the last word and they are not available. If your gun's chamber measures 11 gauge, then the assumption would be it was built that way.