2167

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE (TOTAL OF 32 PRODUCED IN ALL

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
EXCEPTIONALLY RARE (TOTAL OF 32 PRODUCED IN ALL

CONFIGURATIONS) PARKER GRADE 6 (A GRADE) TOP LEVER HAMMER GUN IN ORIGINAL "AS FOUND" CONDITION. Cal. 10 Ga., 2 7/8". S# 31127. "The Parker Story" relates that twenty 10 ga. grade 6 top lever hammer guns were made with 32" bbls. out of a total of 32 for all configurations and gauges. PGCA letter indicates this gun was shipped on August 10th, 1883. It was the highest grade produced at that time, and its price was $225. It has 30 3/4" exceptionally fine Damascus bbls. of close and even pattern. Top of fairly narrow game rib is marked "PARKER BROS MAKERS, MERIDAN CONN. DAMASCUS STEEL". There is some scroll engraving at rear portion of rib and foliate bands around breech ends. Bbl. flats are stamped with ga., 1878 patent dates, grade number (6), bbl. type (DD) and unstruck weight (6 lb. 7 oz). Bottom of rear lump is stamped "J.S" and with frame size "4" (factory letter indicates "special instructions 2 5/8" frame"). Top lever action does in fact measure 2 5/8" across breech face. Water table is marked with serial number, grade and patent dates. Action is fitted with usual Parker frontspring locks with flat faced tall spurred hammers. Hammers are specially filed with small valutes at tops of pivots and flats terminate in scalloped balls behind noses. Action is also specially filed with secondary bead running from top of reinforce up to firing pins. The usual Parker high grade carved fences are also embellished with scalloped decoration on outer ends with central teat extending to breech face. Action and locks are near fully engraved with varying size mostly small scroll within geometric borders which surrounds game and dog scenes. A pair of pointers pointing and honoring grouse are on left lockplate with setters on right, also pointing grouse. "PARKER BROS" is on front portion of each lockplate. Bottom of action is engraved with circular scene of running elk with mountains in background. 1873 Patent date is on triggerplate. Triggerguard with scroll on bow has serial number on tang. Hard rubber capped pistolgrip buttstock of well marbled and lightly figured European walnut measures 14 1/4". over skeleton steel buttplate. Fairly fancy pattern checkering is at grip with panels slightly relieved showing raised detail at top of grip which tapers and points to gold shield. A vacant gold oval is also on toeline. Another silver oval is on pistol grip behind trigger guard tang. Drop points are of early long losenge shape. Matching splinter forend with nicely filed steel tip has patent date on latch. MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: R .808", L .812" (most likely made for thin brass case). Restriction: R .030" (MOD), L .040" (FULL). Min. Wall Thickness: R .048", L .042". STOCK: DAH: 2 13/16". DAC: 1 15/16". LOP: 14 1/4". CAST: neutral. WEIGHT: 10 lb. 5 oz. Parker factory records continue that gun "must shoot close and even", and that the gun was returned August 17th 1898 to put new tumblers in locks. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: gun is accompanied by PGCA letter and black "SKB" marked carrying/shipping case. CONDITION: very good to fine as found. Bbls. retaining about 40-50% original brown which is quite strong where protected, but is mostly gray to brown where handled. There are some bright scratches on side of left bbl. toward muzzle. Action and locks retain a considerable amount, perhaps as much as 40% original case hardening color with balance a fine handworn silver to pewter gray with little noted spotting. Some old oil caking is evident. Engraving remains sharp and clear. Trigger guard retains about 10-20% original blue. Triggers have most of their original nickel plate. Stock retains most of its original hand rubbed oil finish with a large number of marks, scratches and dings. Stock shows very old repair through grip and period repair with bolt running from under trigger guard tang up to oval steel escutcheon in front of comb. There are some tacks in right checkering pattern. A long crack is observable on left side behind checkering. Repair appears to be very strong and gun had been used for many years after. Presently, still does not flex. Checkering shows considerable wear, especially on forend. Right side of grip shows some cleaning of checkering associated with pins, but this work is well done and pattern was not compromised (much). Trigger guard tang screw is a replacement. Bores are fair to good, shiny with scattered light pitting throughout. There are no noted major dents or repairs, just one small ping in top of right bbl., about 10" behind muzzle. Muzzles show evidence of being slightly trimmed with voids around keels and bbls. Action is very slightly loose with forend removed and feels tight with forend installed. Locks are fine. Just a lovely gun which would have a place of pride in any Parker collection. (01-21705/MGM). ANTIQUE. $8,000-12,000.