What's wrong with it?

[Jack Kuzepski]

Was at a gun show yesterday and picked up my first Parker hammerless gun. It is a P grade Serial# 63714, 12 ga with 30" twist barrels. I knew the action was slightly loose but put a slip of paper on the hinge pin just to see if that would tighten it up and it did (will use brass or steel before shooting). Dropped in some snap caps and dropped the hammers, when I pushed the top lever over to open the barrels it only moved about 1/2 way, not enough to get the barrels to drop and recock the hammers. After a bit of head scratching and playing, I realized the right trigger was returned to bear against the sear, the left trigger was stuck in the fully pulled position. When I pulled the left trigger down and held it then moved the top lever, the top lever moved all the way to the right and the barrels dropped and the hammers recocked. What could be the problem? I didn't want to go opening up the actionbefore having an idea of the problem.

Thanks,

Jack Kuzepski

[J. A. EARLY]

My guess:

1. Broken sear spring (no tension on sear, allowing trigger to stay up/fired, which blocked safety, which safety return rod prevented lever from opening since it was in a bind). Old style sear spring breaks are common. That's why with new style single piece spring and with improved coil spring opening lever spring, the 1910 improvements are the most desired.

2. Dirty/hardened grease.

3. Trigger spring broken (very small spring).

4. A combination of any two of the three.

If both hammers dropped and you got it open, it can't be hard to fix.

[Jack Kuzepski]

J. A.,

Thanks for the answer. I'll open it up and see what the problem is. If it is a broken sear spring, would a new style single piece spring work or do I have to find the original style spring?

Jack

[J. A. EARLY]

Jack,

New style is for a different/new style frame. You can probably find one or I've had a good gunsmith braze one back together and it still works.

[Jack Kuzepski]

Jerry,

Thanks!

Jack

[B. Dudley]

Jack. Yes, as Jerry stated, you are looking at either just a very dirty action or a broken sear spring. The small triger spring COULD also be broken, but it would not cause this issue.

[Jack Kuzepski]

I haven't had a chance to open her up yet, too many things on the honey do list at the moment. When I do, I'll post what the problem is. I did notice it is a 12 ga on the #1 frame. Thanks to all who answered.

Jack