Parker Brothers NH Grade Hammerless 10 GA SXS Double Shotgun, 1890 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1981
LSB#: 210823PE07
Make: Parker Brothers
Model: Quality NH, Hammerless, With Damascus Barrels & Extractor
Serial Number: 60994
Year of Manufacture: 1890
Gauge: 10 Gauge 2 7/8”, Black Powder Only
Action Type: Side by Side, Double Trigger Shotgun with Extractor
Markings: The barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN CONN. TWIST.”. The underside of the barrel set flat is marked “PAT’D APR 11. 1876”, “T” in an interrupted oval, “H” and “512“. The underside of the lug is marked “3”, the left is marked with the serial number and the rear is marked “994”. The top of the forend bracket has the serial number. The forend latch fixture is marked “PATD. MAR. 26. 1878”. The sides of the frame are marked “PARKER BROS”. The water table is marked “PAT’D JAN. 18, AUG. 16. 1887 / MAY. 7. OCT. 8. 1889″ on the right lug. The left lug is marked with “60994 / N / MAR. 16. 1875.”. The lower tang is serialized to the receiver. The receiver and forend hardware have N Grade engraving.
Barrel Length: 32″
Choke: The included Parker Gun Collectors Association letter states that each barrel was choked to place 200 pellets of size 8 shot in a 24″ circle at 45 yards. Our constriction gauge shows about 0.027″ constriction on each bore with a muzzle diameter of approximately 0.763″.
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead at the front of the rib just behind a scribed line. The top of the rib has fine serrations for glare reduction, stopping at the scribed line.
Weight: 9 lb., 11.7 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece walnut set with splinter forend, capped pistol grip, checkered black hard rubber Parker Bros. buttplate, straight comb, silver initial plate in the belly, and N Grade checkering. The buttplate has a recess with an embossed hunting dog. The stocks have fairly light wear. The forend has only a few scattered minor marks. The buttstock has some light nicks, scuffs and scratches, most in the belly and comb. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. The wood is well fit to the metal, it is slightly shy to the buttplate’s tang at the heel. Drop at comb is 1 7/8”, drop at heel is 3 1/8″, the cast is about neutral. The LOP measures 14 1/4″ from the front of the front trigger and 13 3/8″ from the front of the rear trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has a patch of wear at the heel and a few light nicks around the edges with otherwise well defined checkering and good detail in the dog. The stocks rate in about Excellent overall condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Case Colored & Damascus
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright with some scattered minor erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 70% of its metal finish. The barrels have generally strong damascus patterning with handling wear on the sides over the forend and some wear at the muzzles. The barrels have a few spots of minor erosion and there are some scattered minor nicks and scratches. The receiver has areas of strong color with the bottom and the fences mostly muted. The receiver has infrequent minor surface oxidation and a few scattered light marks. The trigger guard has some scattered wear and discoloration from oxidation, the bottom tang is mostly worn to white. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine-plus condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock up with no play to the frame. The shotgun features dual non-selective triggers and an extractor. 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 a Parker Gun Collectors Association letter confirming that this gun was ordered by the Jno. P. Lovell Arms Co. of Boston, MA on April 7, 1890, shipped August 19, 1890 as a Quality NH Hammerless 10-gauge, 32″ Twist steel barrels, and was listed with its current LOP, Drop and weight measurements.
Our Assessment: This is a Parker Brothers NH Grade Hammerless from 1890, one of the earlier Parker hammerless guns we have seen. Chambered for 2 7/8″ 10 Gauge black powder shells, the gun retains surprisingly nice bores and mechanics for such an old and powerful shotgun. It retains a good deal of its original metal finish, further proof of gentle and responsible use over the last 130 years. This will make an excellent addition to a Parker shotgun collection. Due to its age and damascus barrels, this gun should be inspected by a gunsmith prior to firing, but all indications are that it would also still make for an impressive and classy trap gun. Please see our photos and good luck!