Parker Bros GHE Grade 2 26″ & 30″ 12 GA SXS Side-by-Side Shotgun, 1929 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2725

LSB#: 210628LH07

Make: Parker Brothers

Model: GH Grade, Hammerless, With Special Steel Barrels, Two Barrel Sets

Serial Number: 231285

Year of Manufacture: 1929

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4″ Shells

Action Type: Side by Side, Shotgun with Single Selective Trigger (mechanical) & Ejectors

Markings: Each barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN. CT. U.S.A. SPEC. STEEL”, with two arrows pointing toward the lettering. The underside of the 26″ barrel set flat is marked “HT / A”, “PS” in circle, and “3 8” under the right barrel and “OVERLOAD / PARKER BROS. / PROVED” under each barrel. The underside of the 30″ barrel set flat is marked “P.S.”, “HT / A”, and “3 12” under the right barrel. The underside of each barel lug is marked “12″ and “1 1/2”, the left of each is marked with “231285”. The serial marking on the 30” barrel set is force-matched. The top of the forend iron is marked “231285” and “PATD.MAY 7,1801.”. The sides of the frame are marked “PARKER BROS” over fowl scenes. The water table is marked “PAT’D OCT. 25, 1910.? on the right lug. The left lug is marked “GH / 231285 / 2”. The lower tang is marked “No 231285”. The tang’s serial marking appears force-matched or at least re-cut. There is a fowl scene on the bottom of the receiver and there is Grade 2 decorative scroll and border engraving throughout the receiver and the trigger guard.

Barrel Length: One barrel set is 30″, the other has been cut to 26″.

Choke:

30″ Barrel Set: Threaded for Briley S-26 removable chokes. Included are Improved Cylinder, Modified, two Full and two Skeet.

26″ Barrel Set: Both Cylinder Bore, Both Fixed

Sights / Optics: Each barrel set has a large white bead at the front of its rib and a smaller white mid-bead. The top of each rib is concave and serrated for glare reduction. The serrations on the 30″ barrel set stop just behind the front of the rib at a scribed line, the serrations on the 26″ barrel set go up to the front edge.

Weight: 

30″ Barrels Installed: 7 lb., 15.8 oz.

26″ Barrels Installed: 7 lb., 7.3 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checkered select walnut with beavertail forend, straight grip, straight comb and black rubber Decelerator buttpad. The forend has a thin crack at the rear edge on each side. There is a crack at the rear of the top tang, extending down and back to the wrist checkering. There are a few scattered light nicks and scuffs. The checkering is well defined. Drop at comb is 1 1/2”, drop at heel is 2 1/4? (consistent across both barrel sets), the cast is about neutral. The LOP measures 14? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad, 13″ to the back of the wood. The pad has minor wear. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition as refinished and likely not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Refinished, the 30″ barrel set is not original to the receiver.

Bore Condition: 

30″: The bores are bright. There is no erosion in the bore.

26″: The bores are mostly bright. There is infrequent minor erosion and a few very minor dents which are visible in the bore, possibly previously pressed-out.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The barrels have scattered light marks, most notable on the top of the right 26″ barrel toward the rear. The 26″ barrel set has a few scattered minor dents toward the muzzle end. There is some light wear on each barrel set from the forend during disassembly and reassembly, concealed when installed. The receiver has handling wear toward the bottom-front. The receiver and guard have some scattered minor erosion under the finish. The bottom tang is dished slightly at the location of the serial marking. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear, some have slightly soft edges. Overall, this shotgun is in about Very Good condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The shotgun features a single selective trigger and ejectors. The shotgun has no play in the frame to barrel fit with either barrel set. The lever does sit slightly left of center when the action is closed with each barrel set. 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: 

– Black hard-sided combination lock case. The case’s interior lining is coming free and its foam backing is deteriorating. Otherwise, the case shows normal storage wear.

– Additional chokes in a plastic Briley case.

– Choke wrench.

Our Assessment: This Parker Brothers GH Grade Hammerless comes to us from 1929, just at the onset of the Great Depression. 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 has been restored with new blue and case color finish. It’s also been equipped with a second barrel set. The original barrel set has been cut back to 26″ and the new 30″ barrel set has been threaded for Briley chokes. The stocks have either been well restored or replaced with a beautiful set. This shotgun shows wear consistent with its age, but is in good shape, especially for surviving the Great Depression when it may have put food on the table for years. It is a nice set that will be great for the shooters or the collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!