Parker Brothers VH Grade 20 Gauge Ga. Side by Side SXS Shotgun, 1908 C&R OK

SOLD FOR: $3,002
Make: Parker Brothers
Model: VH Grade Vulcan Steel Side By Side Hammerless Frame Size 0
Serial Number: 148251
Year of Manufacture: 1908
Gauge: 20 Gauge, 2 ¾” Shells
Action Type: Top-Break Hammerless Side by Side with Extractors
Markings: The right and left sides of the receiver are marked “PARKER BROS”. Both the receiver and screw heads are border engraved. The bottom tang is marked with the serial number “148251” and the water table is marked “PAT’D JAN. 18 AUG. 16.1887 / MAY 7 – OCT. 8. 1889 / PATD. AUG. 15, 1905 / V / 148251”. The exposed forend hardware reads “PATD. MAR. 26. 1878” and is border engraved. The barrel side of the forend hardware is marked with the serial number “148251”. The serrated barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROTHERS, MAKERS, MERIDEN, CONN. VULCAN STEEL” with one arrow on each side of the marking. The side of the barrel lug is marked “148251” and the top is stamped with a “0”. The right barrel flat is marked with a “V” in a circle and a “3” with a smaller “1” above it. The left barrel flat is marked with a “W.K.” proof mark and an “&”. The forend locking lug is marked with an “X”. The pistol grip cap is marked “Parker Bros. / Meriden Conn.” The plastic buttplate is marked “Parker Brothers” showing a dog with a bird in its mouth.
Barrel Length: 28”
Choke: The right barrel is Full, and the left barrel is Improved Modified.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver colored hourglass shaped bead.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are walnut field stocks with a checkered flat butt pistol grip and a checkered splinter forend. The wrist and forearm are hand checkered. There is an inlaid silver shield on the belly of the buttstock. There is a small ding into the left side of the buttstock below the comb. There are various compressions and light marks throughout, but there are no cracks or losses. The forend has minor handling marks and a few light scratches. The checkering is very pronounced and even sharper than would be expected by us. The gun looks to have the original oil finish and shows no evidence of sanding and the fit is what you would expect form a Parker. The LOP measures 13 3/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the black Parker Brothers buttplate. The buttplate is cracked on the right side and stopping in the middle at the Parker Brothers emblem. There are a few nicks on the edges of the buttplate. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color Hardened
Finish Originality: We believe all original.
Bore Condition: The bores are mirror bright. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 65% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light wear on the underside of the barrel from the forend as well as tiny compression marks which are all covered by the forend. The barrel has no dents. The barrel flat has some erosion that seems stable. There is some thinning of the finish in different sections of the barrel, where there is also some erosion. This is likely someone’s old attempt at cleaning surface rust. This can be seen on the left barrel flat, a few places along the edge of the rib and the right side of the barrels at the forearm tip. There is also a patch of erosion on the right barrel at the chamber. These patches have developed a light patina over the cleaned surfaces. The bottom of the trigger guard also shows a small patch of surface erosion. The receiver was case colored and the coloring is still partly visible, though the colors are muted. You can still see bright color on the tang. The screw heads are sharp but show signs of turning. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: This Parker Brothers shotgun is in solid condition for a gun that was made 105 years ago. This is another collector’s item that has been passed down through the generations and has ended up here waiting for the next appreciative owner. Parker Brothers shotguns are known as “Americas Finest” Shotguns and have been used by Hollywood stars, Russian Czars, Wells Fargo messengers, and even the infamous Black Bart. These shotguns are a great piece of American firearm history and would make a fine addition to anyone’s collection or sporting arms arsenal.