Need help identifying & valueing an old parker

[Fred Beeler]

I need some help to identify an old Parker hammerless double 12 ga shotgun. 28 inch mod/full barrels. From what research I have already done I believe the gun in question is a grade 3 mfg'd in 1902. The Vulcan barrels & for-end however were made in 1909 which leads me to believe that the gun was re-barreled some time after 1909. Also the different wear patterns between the frame & barrels tend to confirm my belief. The water table shows crisp engraving & at most a 40% rating for remaining case hardening finish where-as the barrels & matching for-end show what I believe is a solid 80% remaining finish. The water table shows a Number 3 over the serial # 109878 and the letter D below the #. The barrel shows #149999 with a #2 on the bottom lug, a V in a circle , and the #4 with a small #1 just above and to the right on the right barrel flat. I will try to attach pictures for clarification. Identity & possible value would be appreciated.

[Dylan Rhodes]

Someone more knowledgeable will be around shortly but it looks like someone took a D grade action and assembled it to V grade barrels. I'm a bit skeptical to say it was "rebarreled" as it looks like there is a gap between the face and the barrels.... more likely someone just put those barrels on that gun. 2 is the frame size for those barrels, the most common frame size in 12 gauge.

if you remove the forearm only is there any wiggle in the barrels with the action closed?

[Fred Beeler]

I removed the for-end and can feel a very slight side - to - side click but really can't see any change in the barrel gap.

[Dylan Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Fred Beeler

I removed the for-end and can feel a very slight side - to - side click but really can't see any change in the barrel gap.

It should be solid with no movement or clicking. Either it was rebarreled and shot a ton, or someone just found barrels that sort of fit. The latter is much more likely...

[Fred Beeler]

Then I guess that basically I am looking at a "mongrel" for collector value and just a shooter ?

[Dylan Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Fred Beeler

Then I guess that basically I am looking at a "mongrel" for collector value and just a shooter ?

you would have a hard time finding a collector that would want that particular piece. I suppose if the price was right someone would buy it, but the price wouldn't shake a stick at an all-original DH. If you could provide some provenance to who "rebarreled" it and when that would help as well. If you're looking to buy, I would walk away.

I'm relatively new at collecting myself, there are a ton of very knowledgeable people on this forum that have been doing this for way longer than I. Perhaps you and I will both learn something today.

[Joe D.]

xxxxxx

[Fred Beeler]

Thank you everyone for your help. I will inform the owner that he basically has a "wall hanger" or bait for the next buy-back program by the local police dept. Either way He will be told to NOT SHOOT IT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES !!

[Dylan Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Fred Beeler

Thank you everyone for your help. I will inform the owner that he basically has a "wall hanger" or bait for the next buy-back program by the local police dept. Either way He will be told to NOT SHOOT IT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES !!

easy there. There are a lot of potentially good parts inside the action, don't let it get melted down and destroyed by the gov't.

[John Davis]

That 1902 DH is much more likely to be a 2 frame than a 1 1/2 frame. And the gunk we see may just be grease. 109878 started life with Damascus barrels, so I suspect someone found a set of Vulcan steel barrels that fit or were easily fitted to the gun. I’ve had that done several times and I’m not by myself. It’s not a collectible but it could be a shooter. You just need someone who knows what they’re looking at to give you a hands on inspection.