Parker Bros GHE Grade 2 Special Steel 30″ 16 GA SXS Double Shotgun 1911 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2502
LSB#: 220925JW002
Make: Parker Brothers
Model: GHE Grade 2 Hammerless
Serial Number: 156267
Year of Manufacture: 1911
Gauge: 16 Gauge, 2 9/16″ Shells
Action Type: Side by Side, Double Trigger Shotgun with Ejectors
Markings: The top of the barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROS MAKERS. MERIDEN CONN. PARKER SPECIAL STEEL”. The left barrel flat is marked “&”, “J.G.” in oval and “23”, the right “P.S.” and “3 8”. The barrel lug is marked “1” on the bottom, “156267” on the left and “267” on the rear. The top of the forend iron is marked “156267 PATD.MAY7.1901”, the latch assembly is marked “PAT’D MAR.26.1878.”. The water table is marked “PAT’D JAN. 18. AUG. 16. 1887. / PAT’D OCT. 25.1910. / PAT’D AUG.15.1905” on the left and on the right with “GH” in a hexagon and “156267 / 2”. 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 “156267”.
Barrel Length: 30″
Choke: The left barrel is choked Modified, the right Cylinder Bore, both 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. There is a white mid-bead.
Weight: 6 lb., 13.9 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, round-bottom pistol grip, straight comb and checkered black hard rubber Parker Bros buttplate with Dog scene. The stocks have a few scttered light nicks and handling marks. There is a crack in the heel at the point of the buttplate and a shorter, thinner crack on the left below the heel. The checkering is well defined. The drop at comb is approximately 1 5/8″, drop at heel 3 1/8″. LOP measures 14 1/8″ and 13 1/4″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor wear, most notable at the toe, with well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Good-Very Good condition as refinished and/or replaced.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright with infrequent spots of light erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrels have scattered light finish wear, nicks, scuffs and scratches. Much of the exposed surfaces of the receiver have muted or worn to white, there is strong color in the water table, under the lever and around the tops of the triggers and guard. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation, mostly in the receiver. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. 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: None.
Our Assessment: This Parker Brothers GHE Grade Hammerless comes to us from 1911. The Grade 2 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 16 gauge which was made using Parker Special Steel for its 30″ barrels, choked Modified and Cylinder Bore, 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!
