Parker Brothers Under-Lifter Hammer Gun D3 Grade 12 GA SXS Shotgun, Antique
SOLD FOR: $1426
LSB#: 220518CK001
Make: Parker Brothers
Model: Under-Lifter Hammer Gun, D3 Grade
Serial Number: 13939
Year of Manufacture: 1879 (“Parker Gun Identification & Serialization”, Price & Fjestad)
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 5/8” Chamber, Black Powder Only
Action Type: Side by Side, Lifter-Opened, External Hammer, Double Trigger Shotgun with Extractor
Markings: The top of the barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROS., MAKERS. MERIDEN CONN. DAMASCUS STEEL”. The left of the barrel lug is marked “13939”. The barrel flats are marked “PAT’D. APR. 11. 1876”, “DH”, “44” and “3 / 6018”. The bottom of the barrel lug is marked “02”. Each lockplate has “PARKER BROS” with an engraved hunting dog scene and Grade 3 scroll and border engraving. There is also a dog scene on the trigger guard The water table is marked “U / 13939”. The bottom tang is marked “13939”. The trigger plate is marked “PAT 18”, “66 / 75”. The top of the forend iron is marked “13939”. The forend lever assembly is marked “PAT MAR 26 / -1878-“.
Barrel Length: 30″
Choke: Left: Improved Cylinder, Right: Cylinder Bore, both fixed.
Sights / Optics: There is a white bead at the front of the rib and a smaller white mid-bead.
Weight: 7 lb., 13.5 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, semi-pistol grip, straight comb and ventilated orange rubber J.C. Higgins recoil pad. The forend has a triangular metal inlay at the tip and there is a small metal shield pinned to the top of the wrist. The forend has scattered compressions, possibly from smoothing out marks when it was refinished, showing small losses along the edges toward the front and a deep scratch on the right toward the front. The buttstock has some scattered light nicks and scratches, shaping wear at the rear and there are short cracks at the rear of each lockplate. The checkering ranges from worn, but visible to worn smooth. The LOP measures 14 3/8″ and 13 3/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the recoil pad, 13 1/2″ and 12 1/2″ to the back of the wood. The pad has scattered wear and discoloration, having hardened with age. Drop at comb is approximately 1 5/8″, drop at heel 2 1/4″. Overall, the stocks are in Good-Very Good condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued Damascus & Case Color
Finish Originality: The receiver doesn’t show any signs of refinishing, but the blued finish on the barrels is not original.
Bore Condition: The bores are gray with scattered light-moderate erosion and pitting. There are a few dents visible in the bores.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 40% of its current metal finish. The barrels have scattered wear in their new blue finish, most notable over the forend on each side. Some of the worn areas show discoloration from oxidation. The receiver has muted or worn to white, showing a little minor discoloration from oxidation and some residue from the stock’s new finish. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few dents in the barrels which are visible in the bores. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are mostly tool marked with strong slots, a couple are disfigured with useable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition as partially refinished Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock up to the receiver with barely perceptible play. The shotgun features dual triggers and an extractor. The action is opened using a lifter on the bottom of the receiver in front of the guard. 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: None.
Our Assessment: This Parker Brothers Under-Lifter Hammer gun comes to us from all the way back in 1879, early in Parker production. The earliest guns had an interesting mechanism with a release lifter on the bottom of the receiver paired with damascus steel barrels and exposed hammers. For a gun more than 140 years old, this example is in surprisingly good shape, showing some honest wear consistent with use. Parker serial records indicate that this gun originally shipped with 30″ barrels, though a pad has been installed on the refinished stocks. It is a grade 3 with some scroll engraving and hunting dog scenes, a nice find for the Parker collectors. This will make a great addition to any collection, especially someone looking for an early American double gun. Please see our photos and good luck!