Original Antique U.S. Parker Brothers PH Grade 1 Hammerless 12 Gauge Double Barrel Shotgun Made in 1895 - Serial 82570

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely condition side-by-side double barrel 12 gauge hammerless shotgun by renowned American Shotgun maker Parker Brothers of Meriden Connecticut. Known by several names over the years, the company produced almost exclusively shotguns during the many years it existed, and offered them with a wide variety of options. For the first 20+ years of production, Parker Bros. used an exposed hammer design, but by 1888 the first hammer-less guns were offered for sale. Parker guns were often seen as the gun of choice by celebrities including Annie Oakley, Frank Butler, Clark Gable, as well as the top ranked competition shooters of the day.

This lovely example in 12 gauge is a Grade 1 (PH) with a size 1½ frame (marked on the bottom of the barrel lug), correct for this chambering (used for 12, 16, and 20). The first shotguns made by Parker Brothers were all "Grade 0", the least adorned, and as they introduced higher grades they used various letters to denote the grade 0. This example has a P stamped on the water table, which indicates that it is a Grade PH, which the Parker Gun Collector's Association identifies as a "Grade 1". Below the grade letter is serial number 82570, denoting the year of manufacture as 1895. This can be clearly seen on the trigger guard, water table, fore-end and left side of the barrel lug. There are additional markings on the barrel giving the weight as well as T in a circle, which probably indicates "twist" or something similar.

This lovely shotgun features a double trigger, fishtail top action break open lever, and lovely twist forged barrels, still clearly marked on the top with the maker information:

PARKER BROS MAKERS. MERIDEN CONN. TWIST.

Both sides of the hammerless action are also clearly marked with the PARKER BROS name, and there are patent markings in many places, including the bottom of the foregrip attaching iron, the water table, and on the bottom of the barrel assembly. Parker Brothers was constantly innovating and improving their design, and with stiff competition, needed to protect their revolutionary designs, such as the sliding safety on the tail of the receiver.

We checked the reference book Parker Gun Identification & Serialization by Blue Book Publications, and the entry it had for this gun is "82570 PT H 0 C 12 28", which when put through the legend in the book gives the following specifications:

GRA[de] = PT = 1 grade with twist barrels
A[ction] = H = Hammerless action
XT = 0 = No options
S[tocks] = C = Capped pistol grip
BO[re] = 12 = 12 gauge
LE[ngth] = 28 =  28" barrels

This shotgun is completely correct to the listed specifications, and shows no signs of alterations, damage, or misuse, just the usual wear from age and use. The finish has faded a bit overall from use, but is still much better than a lot of examples we see. There are no signs of major cleaning or restoration, so this is a lovely honest light used example, just how we like to see them, and we definitely recommend it be left as is. The twist forging on the barrel is still readily apparent, and there is even still some of the original case hardening on other components. It is fully functional as best we can tell, breaking open correctly and the ejector presenting. Once locked closed both triggers fire their respective sides when the safety is pushed forward. We checked the bores, and they are in great shape, showing little wear or use.

The stocks are great on this gun, and even lower grades such as this still received fantastic beautiful walnut stocks. They aren't burl, but still show a good amount of "curl" to the grain, particularly in the butt stock. Both were varnished at sometime in the past, which is very well retained, and the checkering on the foregrip and pistol grip is still VERY strong. The "gutta percha" hard rubber cap on the pistol grip and PARKER BROTHERS butt pad are in great shape as well, with just some chipping at the bottom of the butt.

A fantastic gently used example of a shotgun by one of the most renowned makers of American top break shotguns, ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1895
Caliber: 12 gauge / bore
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 30 Inches with 3 Inch chambers
Overall Length: 44 1/2 Inches
Action type: Hammerless with Safety
Feed System: Top Break with Top Lever

Parker Bros., also known at various times as Parker Brothers Manufacturing Company, Parker Brothers Guns, and Parker Bros. Shotguns, was an American firm almost exclusively producing shotguns from approximately 1867 through 1942. During these years, approximately 242,000 guns were produced in various grades and are widely considered the finest and most collectible American shotgun. All Parker Guns are break-open style actions, and most were side-by-side double barreled designs, the remainder being single barrel guns intended for use in trap shooting.

Parker guns were offered in 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 20, 28 and .410 gauges. There is an experimental example known to have been produced in 18 gauge. All else being equal, the smaller the gauge, the more scarce and valuable a Parker gun would be in today's world.

Parker guns were sold at various price points, the basic gun being the same design with the price increasing as production costs (engraving, fit and finish, quality of wood grain, barrel steel, etc.). These grades included: dollars grades, Trojan & VH through A-1 Special/ Invincible.