New Parker to the family

[Terry Lawrence]

I recently acquired a 12g Parker DH model serial number 63102. Is this a gun I can shoot, and if so, what shells would you recommend?? Also what date would you put this gun at..? It is in excellent condition.

[OH Osthaus]

that's a fairly early hammerless, it should have 30 inch damascus barrels

I hunt with one with a serial number a few thousand less.

if it truly is in excellent unaltered condition,( it will almost certainly have short chambers)- I shoot RST lites in mine.

but you should have it checked out by a qualified double gun gunsmith. have them check the wall thickness.

we would like to see pictures


oh - made about 1890

[Terry Lawrence]

Mine does not have Damascus barrels....does that make any difference as far as loads?
I'll try and get a picture asap!

[OH Osthaus]

If they are not, then they are replacements. That may have been done by Parker or Remington.

Pictures are definitely the way to go. Please include the markings on the under side of the barrel.

As far as loads, even if Remington rebarreled it in the 30's. You are still asking old wood to soak up the recoil, and the light RST's still break clays and drop birds.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Rick Losey

The light RST's still break clays and drop birds.

Quite handily I might add!