Parker Bros. GH Grade 2 Hammerless 12 GA SXS Vickers Barrels Shotgun, C&R
SOLD FOR: $1525
LSB#: 210918MW09
Make: Parker Brothers
Model: GH Grade 2 Hammerless
Serial Number: 98727
Year of Manufacture: 1899-1900
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4” Chamber, Black Powder Only
Action Type: Side by Side, Double Trigger Shotgun with Extractor
Markings: The top of the barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROS MAKERS. MERIDEN CONN. DAMASCUS STEEL”. Each barrel flat is marked “+”, the right “D”, “C” and “4 5”, the left is marked “PAT’D.APR 11.1876”. The barrel lug is marked “2 1” on the bottom, “98727” on the left and “727” on the rear. The top of the forend iron is marked “98727”, the latch assembly is marked “PAT’D MAR.26.1878.”. The water table is marked “PAT’D JAN. 18. AUG. 16. 1887. / MAY 7-OCT. 8. 1889” and “2 / 98727 / G”. Each side of the receiver has “PARKER BROS” over an engraved fowl scene. The trigger plate also has an engraved fowl scene. The receiver and guard have some scroll and border engraving. The bottom tang is marked “98727”. The top of the additional barrels are marked “E.S.C. VICKERS WORKS – NICKEL STEEL”. The left barrel bottom flat is marked “FULL” and the right is marked “MODIFIED”. The left side of the barrel lug is marked “98727”, the bottom front is marked “P / 161” and the bottom rear is marked “12 / GA / 2 ¾””. The bottom of the left barrel is marked “**” and “161”, the bottom of the right is marked “12” and “**”.
Barrel Length: The original barrel 30″, the E.S.C. Vickers barrel is 27 5/8”
Choke: The original barrel has two Full chokes, both fixed. The Vickers barrel measures IM/M, both are fixed.
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead at the front of the rib behind a scribed line. The top of the rib has a wavy serration pattern for glare reduction which stops just short of a scribed line at the front edge. The Vickers barrel has a brass bead at the front with wavy serrations on the rib.
Weight: 8 lb., 0.6 oz. w/ original barrel, 7 lb., 8.8 oz. w/ Vickers
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, capped pistol grip, initial plate inlaid to the belly, straight comb and checkered black hard rubber Parker Bros buttplate with Dog scene. The forend has an inlaid steel tip. There is a small split in the top of the wrist. There are also two small cracks to the left of the upper tang, one of which is accompanied by light material loss, and another small split on the right side of the upper tang. There are scattered compressions, draglines, and light scratches throughout. The checkering is well defined. The drop at comb is approximately 1 3/4″, drop at heel 2 1/2″. The cast is about neutral. LOP measures 14 1/4″ and 13 3/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has moderate wear, mostly at the heel and around the edges, with good detail in the dog and generally well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Good-Plus condition and would rate higher if not for the splits.
Type of Finish: Damascus & Case Color, The Vickers barrel is Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright with scattered light erosion. The Vickers bores are bright with no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 30% of its metal finish. The barrels have strong damascus patterning with some areas of thinning throughout, the strongest remaining is on the lower portion of the rib. The exposed portions of the receiver have mostly muted, with some faint remaining case color on the bottom and under the lever. The muted areas show some discoloration from oxidation. There are a few minor marks throughout. The action has operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good-plus condition as restored.
The additional barrel set retains about 87% of its original finish and shows light nicks and minor scratches throughout with some thinning at the muzzle.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock up to the receiver with no play. The safety engages automatically when the action is opened. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes with the previously mentioned Vickers barrel that is serial matched to the shotgun.
Our Assessment: This Parker Brothers GH Grade Hammerless comes to us from 1899-1900. The GH Grade filled a gap between the lower grade or “knockabout” guns and the higher grade or “fine” guns, offering a finer quality fit and finish, engraving and style in a gun which could still be taken to the field without feeling like you’re ruining a presentation piece. This example is a 12 gauge made and is just over eight pounds with its original barrels and roughly seven and a half with the Vickers barrels installed. Its 30″ barrels are choked Full Bores, making for a versatile, fast-handling gun that won’t wear you out even if you’re in the field all day. It ought to make for a great upland bird gun for the lucky winner. It will also make a nice addition to a Parker collection. Please see our photos and good luck!