Parker Brothers DH Grade 3 Hammerless 28″ 16 GA SXS Double Shotgun 1901 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3775
LSB#: 210823PE01
Make: Parker Brothers
Model: DH Grade 3 Hammerless
Serial Number: 102975
Year of Manufacture: 1901
Gauge: 16 Gauge, 2 9/16” Black Powder Only, 28 Gauge 2 3/4″ Sub-Gauge Tubes are Included
Action Type: Side by Side, Double Trigger Shotgun with Extractor
Markings: The barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROS MAKERS. MERIDEN CONN. DAMASCUS STEEL.”. The underside of the barrel set flat is marked ”4”, “D”, “C”, “3”, “3”, “+” and “PAT’D APR 11.1876”. The underside of the lug is marked “0” and “8”, the left with “102975”, and the rear face with “975”. The top of the forend iron has the serial number “102975?. The latch assembly is marked “PAT’D MAR 26 / 1878”. The sides of the frame are marked “PARKER BROS” on banners. 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 “3 / 102975 / D”. The lower tang is marked “N 102975”. 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: 28”
Choke: Left: Full, Right: Cylinder Bore, both fixed.
The 28 gauge tubes are both choked Modified
Sights / Optics: There is a silver colored bead mounted to the front of the rib behind a scribed line. The top of the rib has fine serrations for glare reduction which stop at the scribed line.
Weight: 6 lb., 3.2 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). There is some minor wear around the tangs and a few minor scuffs and scratches. Otherwise, there is no notable wear or damage. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Drop at comb is 1 3/8”, drop at heel is 2 1/8?, the cast is about neutral. The LOP measures 14? from the front of the front trigger and 13 1/8? from the front of the rear trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear at the heel and toe. The checkering on the butt is well defined. The stocks rate in Fine-Excellent overall condition as professionally restored.
Type of Finish: Damascus & Case Color
Finish Originality: Per the consignor, this shotgun was restored by Brad Bachelder of Bachelder Master Gunmakers.
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There are a few spots of minor erosion in the bores. There is a very small, very shallow dent barely visible in the top of the right barrel about 4 1/2″ from the muzzle and there are a few other spots where it looks like dents may have been pressed out.
The consignor provided minimum barrel wall thickness measurements. We have not measured the wall thickness and these figures should be confirmed prior to firing: Left- 0.024″, Right- 0.023″
The 28 gauge sub-gauge tubes are bright with no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The barrels have some minor wear at the muzzles. There are a few scattered minor marks. The action has minor operational wear. There is a very small, very shallow dent barely visible in the top of the right barrel about 4 1/2″ from the muzzle. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The barrels retain strong damascus patterning and the receiver has bright case color. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Excellent condition as professionally restored.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: This shotgun comes with a Parker Gun Collectors Association letter which states that this shotgun was originally ordered by M. Hartley Company in NY on February 2, 1901 and shipped September 18, 1901 as a DH Hammerless 16 gauge with 28″ damascus steel barrels choked Full and Cylinder Bore. According to the measurements noted in the letter, the stock has been cut or replaced. Also included is a set of Skeetmaster 28 gauge sub-gauge tubes with a replacement extractor for use with the tubes.
Our Assessment: This Parker Brothers DH Grade Hammerless comes to us from 1901, right at the turn of the century. 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. This 16 Gauge example was ordered with damascus steel barrels and has been expertly restored by Brad Bachelder. Built on the 0-size frame, the gun is lightweight and should make for a great upland bird gun. It also has a nice set of 28 gauge drop-in tubes which will make this an even more versatile gun for hunting or for challenging yourself on the skeet fields. 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!