1891 Parker Questions

[Michael H Miller]

Hello everyone. Just joined. Got this gun a few years ago and got it out after I found out there was this Association. This is the first Parker I have owned. Any information would be great (approx. value , can I shoot it, should I clean it, is it worth getting restored and if so I am in the Virginia Beach area who would you recommend, etc.) Thanks, Again !

Serial Number - 69923
Grade V
Laminated Steel
Frame 1
Weight L4
30" barrel

[OH Osthaus]

welcome to the board

it's a Grade 0 12 ga - from what I can see the bores look good

a careful cleaning - no abrasives would not hurt it - Frontier https://www.big45metalcleaner.com/ work good on metal

as for shooting it - no one can tell you that from pictures (which BTW you did a better than the average new poster job with ) it would need to be inspected by someone who knows old doubles - maybe one of the members can recommend a smith in your area

the L in not part of the weight

repro butplates are available


restoration would, not be worth it IMHO

[Michael H Miller]

O.K. Thanks. I'll get to cleaning. I know it has not been cleaned in at least 30 years. That's how long his father has been dead and he didn't even know it was in the attic until last year! I'll find a butt plate also. Thanks again.

[Paul Seiler]

I too have the same questions about an 1891 Parker Brothers shotgun. It recently fell into my lap and is in worse shape than the one above. I know absolutely nothing about Parker guns, but from the few days I've had to clean the gun and research I found:
Serial number 68545
Laminated steel 28"barrels
Grade 1 (?)

It is missing a hammer and the latch is fairly loose.

I'm not even sure what gauge it is. It has a 2 stamped on it which is a frame used for 10, 12, or 20 gauges. Since a nickel will not fit down the barrel, but a dime will, my father believes it to be a 12 gauge. Please provide any information, or correct any of my assumptions. Thank you!

[Dean Romig]

The L represents Laminated Steel barrels and OH Osthaus always gives good advice.
It has been my experience however, that in that serial number range, Parkers with Laminated Steel barrels and that “graver walk” instead of single line engraving are usually in fact Grade 1 guns, where Grade-0 guns generally had Twist or Twist Steel barrels with straight line border engraving.





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[OH Osthaus]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

The L represents Laminated Steel barrels and OH Osthaus always gives good advice.
It has been my experience however, that in that serial number range, Parkers with Laminated Steel barrels and that “graver walk” instead of single line engraving are usually in fact Grade 1 guns, where Grade-0 guns generally had Twist or Twist Steel barrels with straight line border engraving.
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i'll bow to your experience on the grade and I'll save the advice comment to show my wife on occasion

[Michael H Miller]

If I decide to sell mine which is the first one on this post where would be the best place to sell it?

[OH Osthaus]

as a member - the best place to sell a Parker is the for sale forum in the members only

[Paul Seiler]

I would like to get a new hammer for mine, the second gun showing. Any ideas of the best place to look, or even maybe what it would cost. I'll probably have it on a wall, but if like it to look complete.

And thank you to Michael Miller for letting me tag onto his 1891 post work my 1891. I've never really posted on a forum like this before.

[Dean Romig]

Our PGCA Friend and member David Fjelline makes some pretty nice Parker hammers at a very reasonable price. He can have it engraved for you too if you wish.

Dave Fjelline 916-521-1334





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