GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
FINE AND RARE PARKER "GRADE 5" LIFTER HAMMER SHOTGUN WITH PGCA LETTER.PARKERSXS GRADE 5 HAMMER2414310GAESA(1882) Cal. 10 ga. 2-7/8" Chambers. 3 Frame. At the time this gun was made, the Grade 5 was the second highest gun Parker made, and was considered an excellent buy for the money, as it was $100 less than the "A" grade, and looked nearly the same! The only difference being depth of engraving and complexity of filing. This well preserved example has 30" bbls marked "PARKER BROS MAKERS. MERIDEN CONN. DAMASCUS STEEL" on concave rib without extension, ivory bead. Bbl flats are stamped with steel type, grade, patent date, and weight. SN is on left side of lump. Case hardened late lifter action with rounded break-off, reinforcing bolsters and check hook, is fitted with bar locks with flat faced serpentine hammers having tall spurs. Fences are beautifully filed in serpentine form, with elongated central teats extending to breechfaces. Action and locks are engraved with 80% coverage varying sized scroll within geometric borders surrounding well detailed dog and birds scenes; left lock has a pair of pointers in front of hammer, and quail on tail of lockplate; while right lock has pointer and setter in front with grouse on tail. "PARKER BROS" is at front of each lockplate. Bottom of action has circular vignette of covey of quail on ground. Patent dates are engraved on trigger plate. Trigger guard bow portrays a pair of setters flushing snipe. SN is on tang. Wonderfully fiddle figured and well marbled European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 13-7/8" over checkered composition buttplate. Elongated drop points are behind locks. Grip checkering is of fancy pattern around drop points. A vacant gold oval is on ball of grip, and a vacant gold shield is at top of grip. Matching splinter forend has steel tip with filed in nib, and typical Parker release with patent date. Interior of iron is stamped with SN. Bore diameter: left -.808, right - .807. Bore restrictions: left - .030 (mod), right - .030 (mod). Wall thickness: left - .044, right - .045. Drop at heel: 2-15/16", drop at comb: 2-1/16". Neutral cast. Weight: 9 lbs. 4 oz. LOP: 13-7/8". Gun matches all specifications as listed in the PARKER GUN IDENTIFICATION & SERIALIZATION ledger. PROVENANCE: Parker Gun Collectors Assn letter with original specifications. Prestigious and lifetime Parker and Winchester collection of Dr. Tom Bouwkamp. CONDITION: Very fine. Factory records indicate this gun was sent back to factory in 1887 to clean and re-brown bbls. It appears that over 90% of that finish is still intact. Locks are mostly cleaned and faded to a very pleasing silver to gray with traces of color present where protected, although it appears orig color was never very strong, as evidenced by what is essentially a french grey remaining on water table. Gun also was returned to the factory in 1885 by a new owner to have the "stock dropped to 3-1/4 if can". It seems the best that they could do was the present drop at heel of 2-15/16". Most likely stock was refinished at that time and retains approx 80% of that old finish, which is considerably crazed, and has many dents and scratches. Checkering is lightly worn. Bores are fine, lightly frosted throughout. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks are fine. A very attractive high grade lifter. Very few were made in this grade, with THE PARKER STORY estimating a total of 65; 44 in ten ga., 17 with 30" bbls. 52170-18 MGM150 (8,000-12,000)