GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
RARE GRADE 6 PARKER LIFTER HAMMER GUN, MOST LIKELY ENGRAVED BY GUSTAVE YOUNG.PARKERSXS1766310 GaCal. 10 ga. 2-5/8" Chambers. 3 Frame. 30" Fine Damascus bbls are engraved "Parker Bros Makers Meriden Conn. Damascus Steel" on narrow, concave rib. Bbl flats are stamped with 1876 patent date, bbl weight, "DD", and grade (6), over "9127". Action with reinforcing bolsters and dished hinge pin has deeply scalloped fences. Outer portions are filed in scallop motif, with long teats extending to breechface, in typical Grade 6 style. Water table is marked with SN and 1875 patent date only. High spurred hammers are filed with extra flourishes at tops of pivots. Action and lockplates are engraved with 80% coverage exceptionally well cut open shaded scroll. Shading is of punch dot style, as used by well known engravers, L. D. Nimschke and Gustave Young. (It is known that Gustave Young did engraving work for Charles Parker and the Meriden Manufacturing Company, and die cutting for Parker Brothers between 1869 and 1883. This gun was made ca 1880, and the style of engraving is the same as that pictured in THE PARKER STORY on a grade 3 lifter gun SN 17543, but more extension.) This distinctive engraving surrounds lozenge shaped and circular vignettes of dogs and game, all meticulously rendered. A setter points a hidden grouse in a fine scene on central portion of left lockplate, with a fox in circle at rear. Right side depicts a pointing pointer with another honoring point at central portion, with a flying snipe at rear. Bottom of action has small circular vignette of running deer. Another pointing pointer is on trigger guard bow. SN is in scrolled riband on tang. Nicely streaked and flame figured European walnut (?) steel capped pistol grip buttstock measures 13-7/8" over skeleton steel buttplate. A large vacant gold oval is on toe line, and a vacant gold shield is at top of grip. Engraving on the unusual steel grip cap matches that found on action and locks. Matching splinter forend has nicely filed tip, and 1878 patent date on release. Bore diameter: left - .793, right -.792. Bore restrictions: left -.030 (Imod), right -.026 (Mod). Wall thickness: left -.057, right -.056. Drop at heel: 3-3/16", drop at comb: 2-1/16". Weight: 9 lbs. 14 oz. LOP: 13-7/8". CONDITION: Very good, as found. Bbls retain a considerable amount of what appears to be orig Damascus gray finish, visible along ribs, balance a gray to brown patina, with numerous old light marks, and a few recent scratches from cleaning. Action retains traces of orig color where protected, most color faded to bright silver, which is prevalent on lockplates. Bottom and top of action have melded to a not unpleasing gray - brown patina. Stocks retain most of their orig finish considerably worn around grip, with numerous marks, light dents and scratches, checkering somewhat worn, and drop points are rounded slightly from hand wear. Forend wood shows considerable wear, checkering re-cut. Bores are good, with scattered light pitting and a few patches somewhat heavier. Action is somewhat loose. Bbls are slightly off face. Locks are crisp. Grade 6 was the highest grade Parker made until the introduction of the AA grade in 1895, and early examples are exceptionally rare; A total of 63 lifter hammer guns are in the records, 43 in 10 gauge. Total production of all grade 6 hammer guns is fewer than 100. A really great old Parker. 49940-12 MGM32 (8,000-16,000)