Need Help with Parker Purchase

Rodney Gray · 01-05-2010, 08:22 PM

I am looking into this gun to buy but I want to know if anyone can tell me if it's an original Parker or a reproduction. It seems to be imprinted with C. Parker & Co. verses the Parker Brothers. The barrel is stamped with "Fine Laminated Steel" between the barrels. It is hammered. The condition looks older and used. I tried to look for the identifying marks but couldn't make everything out very well. He says he believes it to be Late 19th, Early 20th Century C. Parker and Company Double Barrel Shotgun. Do you have any suggestions as to what a purchase price should be? The gentleman I am dealing with wants a decision very soon.

Autumn Daze · 01-05-2010, 08:27 PM

Rodney,Sorry to say that this gun is not a Parker Bros. of Meriden,Ct shotgun.Looks to a knockoff trading on the Parker name.There were several companys in Europe trading on the Parker name.

Rodney Gray · 01-05-2010, 08:41 PM

Thanks so much for your reply. Do you know when the reproductions started? This gun looks very old and used. It looks like a nice piece but I just had to know for sure.

Tim Kisieleski · 01-05-2010, 08:51 PM

it's not a reproduction. It's a contential gun that used a variation of the Parker name. could very well be a late 1800's/early 1900 gun.

John D. · 01-05-2010, 08:58 PM

The "C. Parker" guns were imported about 1898 - 1902. The importer was Folsom out of NY during that time. It's worth about $150 if it's in good condition. If it's not in shooting condition - it's worth about $25 as a wall hanger only. These cheap imports MUST be checked by a competent gunsmith before even thinking about shooting them...

Best to you,

John

Rodney Gray · 01-05-2010, 09:05 PM

So does the C. stands for Continential instead of Charles? Is there any more information you can give me on a continential? I have never seen one mentioned under Parker.

John D. · 01-05-2010, 09:14 PM

Hi Rodney..!

The "C." stands for - exactly - "C."

It was a marketing logo "C. Parker & Co." by Folsom for importation of this inexpensive Belgium made double...

Others have tried to make sense of the "C.", but none have been documented that I'm aware of..??

Best to you!

John

Tim Kisieleski · 01-05-2010, 09:15 PM

Contentials are the Belgium, German, french guns(perhaps a few others) . blanket term to describe them. contential guns can be a good to great value(my experance is not with turn of the century guns so take it with a grain of salt, but more modern stuff, form the 20's on)they can also be pure junk.

Rodney Gray · 01-05-2010, 09:21 PM

Thank you all very much for your speedy replies. I believe I will pass on this one. I will keep looking and hopefully I will sometime soon have a real Parker to questions you all on! Thanks again!

John D. · 01-05-2010, 09:50 PM

You are most welcome, Rodney!!

Keep on posting and keep on looking - and we'll be here when you find a Parker Bros. shotgun.. Just remember - most of the fun is in the hunt..

Best to you!

John