Lifter 4657 with PB proof

[Don Mills]

I thought I would share some pictures of the lifter I purchased back in 2007. Interesting things about this gun is that it should be the largest known serial number with the PB proof marking. It also was back to Parker Brothers several times for stock changes as noted in the letter. Funny thing is that when I purchased the gun I lived about 20 minutes from Wilson, NY where the gun was originally sold from. The gun is a dream to shoot and I have even shot it with true black powder loads on the skeet field. Tons of fun. Sounds like a cannon, no kick and waiting for and then finding the second target as it appears from the smoke makes doubles interesting. There are more pictures available than what is shared below at https://photos.app.goo.gl/Bh9TaD616rJKRCJQA

[B. Dudley]

Very interesting gun as well as history on it. My wife is from Ransomville and went to Wilson High School. It is neat that the gun was from that area.
The letter states the gun was a quality 2 which is a head scratcher since everything about the gun would suggest an 0 or 1 grade. Ie: the barrel steel type, lack of checkering and lack or engraving. A quality 2 would be expected to have damascus barrels, checkered wood and some engraving.
It looks like the gun has been fitted with another stock by the factory since the time that the letter leaves off. And the fitment of it is perfect factory quality.

[Don Mills]

Brian,
I always wondered if when it was returned the first time to install the rubber butt is when the stock changed. Considering the cost of bending the stock it could have been changed at that time perhaps.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Donald F. Mills

I thought I would share some pictures of the lifter I purchased back in 2007. Interesting things about this gun is that it should be the largest known serial number with the PB proof marking.

Donald, you bring up a subject I hadn't given much thought to before and that is the PB in the shield stamp. I've seen a lot of barrels with that stamp but never took notice of the serial number or year of production. I do know that they are all hammer guns though. I'll have to keep an eye open for more. In fact, I'll have to check my own hammer Parkers.





.

[Jay Oliver]

Donald that is a nice lifter. I like the pattern on those twist barrels. I always like shooting black powder shells in these guns, but don't do it nearly as often as I should.

My #1310 with Damascus Barrels has the PB shield stamp. Interestingly like yours, it was returned to Parker later on to have a new pistol grip stock, but has what looks like it's original steel butt plate, though it has the rubber grip cap.

Back action #1079 has Decarbonized Steel barrels with the PB shield stamp. However, Parker back action #171 with Decarbonized Steel barrels does not have the PB shield stamp. So somewhere in the middle of those two must be where it started...

[B. Dudley]

Let me add this thought...

One may think that “rubber butt” would mean a recoil pad. But I would say that it would be the “hard rubber” buttplate that is on the gun now. The price of only 50 cents also helps support this. As I recall a recoil pad would be more of a charge than that. Like a couple dollars.
The customer must have wanted to ditch the original steel plate for the newer style dogs head buttplate. So, the stock itself cery well could be original to the gun.

[Don Mills]

Brian, I think that makes a lot of sense. It is amazing to think of the stories a gun that is almost 150 years old can tell. I hope I look and work as good with a few replacement parts when I am half the guns age 😄

[Bruce Day]

What evidence is there that the shield PB is a proof stamp ?

Are not these Parker made barrels ?

[Dean Romig]

Bruce, the only barrels Parker Brothers made in house were Laminated Steel (and only in 1877, 78, and 79 according to King’s testimony) and were usually stamped with a P on the forward area of the right barrel flat and sometimes even a bit beyond the flat just onto the tube itself. The P die had a chipped foot and the left side of the foot on some of those I have examined has been missing while on others the foot of the P is missing entirely.





.

[Dean Romig]

A couple more...


.