New Member from Florida and Parker Grade Question

[Robert Henley]

I inherited this Parker Hammer Side-by-Side, and after researching on this site and elsewhere I'm still not sure of the grade. SN 76xxx. 26 inch barrels. Frame size 1. Twist barrel on rib. Please see attached pictures, and let me know how to determine the grade. Please let me know if any questions.

Thanks

Robert

[Dean Romig]

With Twist barrels it could be either a Grade-0 or a Grade-1. The complete serial number can be researched by anyone with the Serialization book for grade, action, barrel steel, grip style, bore and barrel length.





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[Robert Henley]

I guess Grade-0 is the Trojan, which according to my 39th Blue Book wasn't introduced until 1912-13, well after mine was made in 1892, and Grade-1 is PH or VH?

http://www.parker-shotguns.com/parke...n-and-marks-2/

There is what looks like a "V" in the first picture, if that means anything (lower left in picture).

Is the "Serialization book" on-line or where do I look for it?

Thanks,

Robert

[Dean Romig]

No, the Trojan is not a Parker with a grade designation - it is a Parker Trojan.

A PH or a VH are hammerless guns. That's what the H represents - yours is not a hammerless gun.

The V you refer to is the mark of an inspector or a worker, not a designation of anything about the gun.

The Serialization book is the "Parker Gun Identification and Serialization" and usually sells for about $39 but you may be able to find it for less on the ABE Books website.

https://www.abebooks.com





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[Robert Henley]

OK, thanks for the clarification. I obviously don't know much about them.

I looked at what sounds like the same book earlier today on Amazon (had a $10 PRIME credit which had to be used today from WFM) but a couple of the reviews sounded like the buyers were a little disappointed with the lack of detail:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1886768374...v_ov_lig_dp_it


Robert

[Dean Romig]

Despite it’s shortcomings, it is definitely worth the expense if you’ll possibly be buying Parkers in the future.





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[Robert Henley]

Thanks very much. I probably will not be getting another Parker, so maybe someone who has the book can look it up for me to advise of grade (assuming it's listed in the book). The last three digits are xx420. First two digits at beginning of thread.

[winplumber]

book has it as Plain twist 12 ga 30 in. barrels grade 0 . Your barrels may be cut .

[Robert Henley]

OK, thank-you. What does Grade 0 equate to (if that makes sense)? In other words, does the numeric grade equate to an alpha grade? The 39th Blue Book seems to indicate it does but then it just lists alpha grades from what I can tell. I guess the barrels were cut down to 26" given the above noted reference to 30 in.

[winplumber]

Please don't shoot that shell in this gun you have it pictured with.