This is a very good antique
condition Parker Brothers Quality T Grade, 12 Gauge top action hammer,
side-by-side shotgun that was manufactured in 1885. This particular Parker Shotgun has a well-documented
history from the Parker factory and includes the Parker Gun Collectors
Association research letter.
Charles Parker began as an
industrial manufacturer of numerous durable goods, including hardware, lamps,
spectacles, steam engines, presses, tooling and even railroad wheels in
Meriden, Connecticut beginning in 1828, under the name Meriden Machine
Company. Charles Parker created numerous
companies over the years, including the Meriden Curtain Fixture Company, Parker
& Whipple Company, which manufactured clocks, and, later, Parker Brothers,
manufacturing fine shotguns.
Once the Civil War began, Parker,
like many other New England manufacturers, capitalized on the need for firearms
and, joined by Gamaliel F. Snow and machinist James. S. Brooks, created the
Parker, Snow, Brooks & Company in 1860.
On September 28, 1863, Parker,
Snow, Brooks & Company received a US contract for the production of 15,000
Model 1861 pattern rifle muskets for $19.00 each. Interestingly, most of the components for the
Parker, Snow contract were manufactured under subcontract by other makers. Parker, Snow delivered the 15,000
contracted-for rifles in 1863 and 1864.
In January 1865, the company’s
name was changed to the Meriden Manufacturing Company and, under this name, the
company produced 5,000
Triplett & Scott magazine
firearms for the state of Kentucky.
Shortly after the end of the Civil War, employee William H. Miller
developed a cartridge system
and the company altered
approximately 5,000 Parker, Snow Model 1861 pattern rifles using this system,
known as the Miller Alteration. During
the Civil War, Miller designed and manufactured the prototype of what would
become the first Parker Brothers shotgun.
Charles Parker made the decision to produce these shotguns after the war
and created Parker Brothers in 1868.
This particular shotgun was originally
ordered by Tabb Brothers Maslin & Company of Baltimore, Maryland for J. P.
Tabb on December 6 ,1884. The shotgun
was then shipped on September 17, 1885.
The original specifications for this shotgun are found in Parker
Brothers Order Book No. 17, and lists it as a Quality T, Top Action Hammer Gun
in 12-gauge with Plain Twist barrels that are 30 inches in length. The original price in 1885 was $55.00. This shotgun is also listed in Parker
Brothers Stock Book Number 16 and denotes a capped pistol grip stock
configuration with a length of pull of 14 ¼”, a drop at heel of 2 5/8”, a weight
of 7 pounds and 8 ounces, and full chokes for both the right and left barrels.
This shotgun next appears in the
Parker Brothers records in Order Book No 20 as a return for credit by Tabb
Brothers Maslin & Company on January 4, 1886. The gun was then sold to Jno. P. Moores Sons
of New York City on January 13, 1886, for $55.00. The gun then appears again in Order Book Number
36 as returned on April 4, 1894, by Tabb & Jenkins Hardware Company of
Baltimore to be sent to A. G. Alford Sporting Goods Company of Baltimore for a
new forend. The price was $5.00. Finally, in Order Book Number 67, the records
show that an order was made for a right-hand hammer and tumbler pin, which was
placed on March 17, 1905, by M. Hartley Company of New York City to be sent to
Chase & Hartley of Baltimore.
As noted, this is a “T” Grade
Parker Shotgun, also known as the “Twist Grade” and which used the Plain Twist
Damascus Steel Barrels. Even though the “TWIST”
stamp was put on the barrels, this applied to Plain Twist after 1883. The Parker Brothers T grade was manufactured
from 1882 until 1903. This shotgun has
the desirable, early post-1882 changes, to include the doll’s head rib
extension, the solid head plungers, the Lockplate screw behind the hammer and
the check-hook and pin. It also has the
correct and early one-piece hinge pin.
The stock on this shotgun is
beautiful American Black Walnut with nice grain. There are only a very few minor
dings and scratches, but the condition is excellent. The wrist and pistol grip have very nice original
checkering with only a few small areas of wear.
The stock retains the well worn but very good condition and original Parker
Brothers hard rubber butt plate with the Parker Brothers dog and bird
logo. The pistol grip cap is the
Original “Parker Brothers” cap that remains in worn but good condition. The bottom of the butt has the original
silver shield that was never engraved.
Both the Left Hand Trigger and
Right Hand Triggers are present and both retain considerable blued finish. Both Triggers still release crisply.
The receiver exhibits a pewter
patina generally and has traces of the original color case-hardened finish in
the protected areas. The right side of
the Receiver has the “PARKER BROS” engraving along with three-line border
engraving. The Bolsters are also engraved
around the edge. Both bolster clean out
screws are present. The left side of the
Receiver has the “PARKER BROS” engraving along with border engraving. The
Receiver Tang also exhibits a pewter patina with border engraving. The
Top Lever also operates smoothly and exhibits generous engraving on the
top. The bottom of the receiver has border
checkering and a “PAT’D MAR 23. 1875” stamp and it exhibits a salt and pepper
patina.
Both original Parker Brothers
Hammers are present, and both are in excellent condition. As noted in the original Parker records, this
shotgun was sent back for a new right-hand trigger in 1905. This shotgun now has two original Parker
Brothers hammers that are matching to each other but not to the shotgun. The right hammer is slightly loose, but it
still operates correctly. Both hammers
have double edge engraving and the rebounding mechanism for both hammers works
perfectly. The firing pins for both barrels are also present and also move
freely.
The Water Table has the patent
information stamps, “PAT’D APR.11.1876 / SEP.3.1872.” on one side and the serial
number “45294” and “PAT’D MAR.16.1875” stamps on the other side.
The Guard Bow exhibits a pewter
and plum patina and is engraved. The
Trigger Plate also exhibits a pewter patina and has the faded serial number “45294”
engraved on the rearmost portion. The
plate also has border engraving.
The original barrel set is in very
good condition and measures 30” long and it has 2 7/8” chambers. Both barrels retain considerable original twist
Damascus finish with areas of finish loss and small areas of old corrosion and
old pinprick pitting. The right barrel has a dent about three inches forward of
the end of the forend, but it will not affect the firing of the shotgun. There
is also a very small ding on the left barrel about eight inches from the muzzle,
but it will not affect the firing of the shotgun. The original rib is present and is marked,
“PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN, CONN. TWIST.”
The original brass sighting post is present on the front of the
rib. The bottom of the barrel mount has
the circle serif “T” grade stamp and the “3 13” stamp, indicating the barrel
assembly weighs 3 pounds 13 ounces, along with patent dates. The Extractor is present and works
smoothly. The bores of both barrels
exhibit old corrosion and pitting but they still remain in firing condition. As
noted previously, both barrels are full choke.
This shotgun has its original and
matching Splinter Forend. As noted, this
shotgun was returned to the factory in 1894 for a new forend and this the
forend that was installed at that time. The
Forend Iron exhibits generous original color case-hardened finish and it has
the matching serial number “45294.” The
American Black Walnut is in good condition with no cracks or chips noted. There is considerably field wear to the checkering. The Forend Lock exhibits a pewter patina and has
the patent stamp “PATD.MAR.26.1878.” The
forend nose iron also exhibits a pewter patina.
The attaching iron spring is still strong, and it secures tightly to the
barrel.
This shotgun functions perfectly
and would still be a fine bird gun today in its popular 12-gauge configuration.