1883-84 Parker Double Barrel 12 Gauge Top Lever Shotgun
Frame 2 - twist barrel - grade o - hammer - serial #35xxx
The gun is very clean and tight with no rust or pitting - the walnut stock and forend are both in very good condition with no damage or cracks
1883-84 12 Gauge PARKER BROTHERS Top Lever Grade 0 Hammer Shotgun
Antique Parker Brothers Grade 0 Double Barrel 12 Gauge Top Lever Hammer Shotgun, made in 1883-84 in Meriden, Connecticut. Charles Parker was an entrepreneur who began working in U.S. manufacturing in the 1830s. Interestingly, one of his first products was a coffee mill. He also collaborated on several government contracts to make arms during the American Civil War, including one for the Model 1861 and then a truly interesting, rare breech-loading design for the state of Kentucky, called the Triplett & Scott Carbine. Finally, in 1866, after his experience in arms manufacture for the war effort, he and his sons, Wilbur and Dexter, began the company Parker Brothers, making sporting shotguns. This company is considered by many to have been the best manufacturer of fine American shotguns, ever. The company was in business until 1942.
The Parker Grade 0 was introduced in 1869. Parker started its grade numbering system at zero to denote their lowest grade made at that time. As Parker introduced the named grades, they named Grade 0 guns R, S, T, U and VH. Except for the VH which describes all Grade 0 hammerless Parkers, the other names describe Grade 0 hammer guns based on various gauge and stock configurations. In 1899 the hammerless grade 0, the VH, was introduced and it used Vulcan steel barrels. The grade 0 was the mainstay of Parker production and the fit and finish was excellent. They have little extra finish in the way of checkering or engraving and the wood used was plain, straight grain American walnut. The engraving was a simple border around the frame. The early guns had plain metal butt plates and later ones have hard rubber dogs head butt plates. The frame, forend iron and locks were casehardened.
Frame 2 - twist barrel - grade o - hammer - serial #35xxx
The gun is very clean and tight with no rust or pitting - the walnut stock and forend are both in very good condition with no damage or cracks
1883-84 12 Gauge PARKER BROTHERS Top Lever Grade 0 Hammer Shotgun
Antique Parker Brothers Grade 0 Double Barrel 12 Gauge Top Lever Hammer Shotgun, made in 1883-84 in Meriden, Connecticut. Charles Parker was an entrepreneur who began working in U.S. manufacturing in the 1830s. Interestingly, one of his first products was a coffee mill. He also collaborated on several government contracts to make arms during the American Civil War, including one for the Model 1861 and then a truly interesting, rare breech-loading design for the state of Kentucky, called the Triplett & Scott Carbine. Finally, in 1866, after his experience in arms manufacture for the war effort, he and his sons, Wilbur and Dexter, began the company Parker Brothers, making sporting shotguns. This company is considered by many to have been the best manufacturer of fine American shotguns, ever. The company was in business until 1942.
The Parker Grade 0 was introduced in 1869. Parker started its grade numbering system at zero to denote their lowest grade made at that time. As Parker introduced the named grades, they named Grade 0 guns R, S, T, U and VH. Except for the VH which describes all Grade 0 hammerless Parkers, the other names describe Grade 0 hammer guns based on various gauge and stock configurations. In 1899 the hammerless grade 0, the VH, was introduced and it used Vulcan steel barrels. The grade 0 was the mainstay of Parker production and the fit and finish was excellent. They have little extra finish in the way of checkering or engraving and the wood used was plain, straight grain American walnut. The engraving was a simple border around the frame. The early guns had plain metal butt plates and later ones have hard rubber dogs head butt plates. The frame, forend iron and locks were casehardened.
