3445

Exceptional Early Parker Brothers Grade 1 Under Lifter Back Action Hammer Side by Side Double Barrel

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,250.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 6,500.00 USD
Exceptional Early Parker Brothers Grade 1 Under Lifter Back Action Hammer Side by Side Double Barrel
Manufactured circa 1877 -'79, this early Parker hammer shotgun features a single brass bead sight on the concave solid rib marked "PARKER BROS MAKERS, MERIDEN CONN. DAMASCUS STEEL." with the "S" in Bros higher than the other letters. The lock plates are marked "PARKER BROS." directly under the hammers and feature light scroll engraving with scallop border and a hunting dog on each side. The same pattern is on the hammers and the trigger guard has a scallop border and a hunting dog in the center. The forward portion of the trigger guard plate is marked "PATENTED NOV.13, 1866 / MAR 23 75" and the lower tang and left side of the water table is marked with the serial number. The barrel lug is marked with an "D" on the right side and "PAT'D APR. 11, 1876" on the left side. The barrel lug is marked "02" on the bottom and the rear face is marked with the matching serial number. The forearm hardware is scallop border and floral engraved and the latch hardware is marked "PAT'D MAR 26 1878." and the inside is marked with the matching serial number. The shotgun features the first breech locking system which uses the push bar type known as the "Lifter Action" with the latch, or bar located on the underside of the action in front of the trigger guard. The shotgun is chambered 2 1/2" and choked modified/modified. The trigger guard is blue, the barrels are brown with a Damascus pattern and the action, hammers and forearm hardware are casehardened. Extractor, double triggers and hammers and a short lower tang. Fitted with a checkered forearm and round knob pistol grip stock with engraved skeletonized buttplate and checkered bare butt, tear drop flats and silver thumb shield. Length of pull is 14 1/8". The shotgun is complete with an original Parker leather covered hard case with green lining and a three piece wooden cleaning rod. The case is very brittle and is kept in a wooden chest.
BBL: 30 inch solid rib
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 12
Finish: brown/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 15768


Excellent. Nearly 95% of the brown Damascus pattern remains with light handling marks and some loss at the muzzle. The locks retain approximately 60% of the original vivid case colors with the balance having a smooth brown and gray patina. The hammers have strong traces of original case colors mixed with smooth gray patina. The frame retains 75% original vivid case colors with some fading to gray. The trigger guard shows 80% original thinning blue finish with edge wear and areas of smooth gray. The wood is excellent with a few minor dents and dings, and minor handling marks. The buttplate has a smooth gray patina with some plum blue on the toe. The checkering on the forearm and stock is sharp and the butt checkering is crisp. Crisp and clear markings and engraving. Mechanically excellent. As mentioned above, the case is very brittle, the lid is unattached from the body, there is heavy wear on the edges and aging with pieces of the leather absent.