Parker Bros DHE Grade TI3 Hammerless 30″ 12 GA SXS Double Shotgun, 1920 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2280.65
LSB#: 210823PE02
Make: Parker Brothers
Model: DHE Grade TI3 Hammerless
Serial Number: 189458
Year of Manufacture: 1920
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 5/8”
Action Type: Side by Side, Double Trigger Shotgun with Ejectors
Markings: The barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN. CT. TITANIC STEEL.”, with two arrows pointing toward the lettering. The underside of the barrel set flat is marked “T” in circle, ”HT / A”, “4 3” with the “3” as super-script, “3”, “09” or “60”, “J.G.” in oval and with two punch-marks. The underside of the lug is marked “12” and “2”, the left with “189458” and the rear with “458”. The top of the forend iron has the serial number “189458? and “PATD. MAY 7. 1901”. The sides of the frame are marked “PARKER BROS” on banners. The water table is marked “PARKER BROS. / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. / PAT’D JAN. 18, AUG. 16. 1887. / PAT’D. OCT. 25. 1910. / PATD. AUG. 15. ????” on the right lug. The left lug is marked “DH” in diamond over “189458 / 3”. The lower tang is marked “N 189458”. The receiver has decorative engraving with the Parker Bros. banners amid scroll engraving with a pointer scene on each side, pheasant scene on the trigger plate and there is also decorative engraving on the exposed portion of the forend iron and latch and border engraving on the rear of the barrels.
Barrel Length: 30”, with solid, concave rib with wavy lines. The wavy line engraving is strong up to a scribed line and there is shallow, faint serrations in front of the line. This would typically indicate that the barrels have been cut, but the barrels just meet at the muzzle and still ring true.
Choke: Left: Full, Right: Modified, both fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a silver colored bead at the front of the rib.
Weight: 7 lb., 10.5 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece checkered walnut set with splinter forend, capped pistol grip, engraved skeleton steel buttplate with checkered butt, and inlaid silver initial-plate in the belly (not marked). The forend has a few scattered light scratches. The buttplate has scattered light-moderate nicks, scrapes and scratches with a more notable ding on the right of the comb and a filled knot-hole below the comb on the right. There is some discoloration and thinning finish around the edges and in the grip areas. There are a few very short cracks at the rear of the top tang and the point of the buttplate’s tang. The checkering is well defined. Drop at comb is 1 1/2”, drop at heel is 2 3/8?, the cast is about neutral. The LOP measures 14 1/8? from the front of the front trigger and 13 1/4? from the front of the rear trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered erosion under its finish. The checkering on the butt is lightly worn, but well defined. While the buttplate has been refinished, we don’t see any evidence of the wood being refinished. The stocks rate in Good-Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color
Finish Originality: The receiver’s finish appears Original, the barrels have been refinished.
Bore Condition: The bores are semi-bright. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bores and stubborn fouling in front of the chambers.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 75% of its current metal finish. The barrels’ finish is generally strong, though it has a plum hue, with some light handling wear toward the rear over the forend. The receiver has mottled case-color with some areas muted or gone to a light patina. The guard has light wear and some minor oxidation. There are a few scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition as partially refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. The tang mounted safety returns to ‘safe’ when the action is opened. The shotgun has no play in the frame to barrel fit. 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 DH Grade Hammerless comes to us from 1920, just after the close of the Great War. The DH Grade was the first grade offered by Parker with their new black Titanic steel barrels and many buyers found the DH to be the ideal choice for a higher grade Parker, not thinking the difference in price between the DH, CH, and BH to be commensurate with the increase in price. The rib’s serrations appear to have continued past the scribed line at the front of the rib, which is typically a sign of a cut barrel, but the barrel tubes just meet at the muzzle and the bores are still choked Full and Modified, so they may not have been cut. The barrels have been refinished, but the receiver’s case color appears original. This example has honest wear, fairly light for a 100 year old gun. This shotgun would make a great addition to any collection, especially an avid bird hunter or Parker collector. Please see our photos and good luck!