Parker Bros. DH Grade 3 Hammer Double 32″ 12 GA SXS Shotgun, 1889 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,875.00
LSB#: WY241004JK001
Make: Parker Brothers
Model: DH Grade 3 Hammer Double Gun
Serial#: 56227
Year of Manufacture: 1889
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 5/8″
Choke: Left: Cylinder Bore, Right: Cylinder Bore, both Fixed
Action Type: Hammered Dual-Trigger Hammered Side by Side Shotgun with an Extractor
Barrel Length: 32”
Sights/ Optics: There is a white bead mounted to the front of the rib and a smaller white mid-bead. The top of the rib is serrated for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with steel-top splinter forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb and steel skeleton buttplate with checkering on the exposed portion of the butt. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a small loss on the left edge of the forend and a few short, thin cracks around the edges of the wrist. The checkering is worn smooth in some areas, worn, but visible in others. The LOP measures 14 1/8″ and 13 3/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has been polished to white with some scattered nicks and minor surface erosion. Drop at comb is approximately 1 7/8″, drop at heel 3″. The checkering inside the plate is well defined. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Originally Browned Damascus & Case Color
Finish Originality: Most surfaces have been polished bright. Serialized parts are matching.
Bore Condition: The bores are gray. There is scattered light-moderate erosion and pitting in the bores. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 4 or 5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: The shotgun retains about 5% of its metal finish. Remaining finish is mostly on the interior of the forend iron. Other surfaces have been polished bright with some areas just starting to go to a light patina. There are some spots of light oxidation and minor erosion. There are some light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this shotgun is in Good-plus condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel locks to the frame with no play. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This Parker Brothers DH Grade 3 Hammer Gun comes to us from 1889. Early Parker hammer guns used a lifter in front of the trigger guard to open the action, but they did eventually begin using a more conventional lever on the top tang. Their hammerless guns were introduced a year before this example was made and soon became much more popular than the top-levers. The gun has Grade 3 engraving with hunting dog and fowl scenes among scroll and border engraving. The top lever is the distinctive “fish-tail” type used either for aesthetics or, in many cases, allowing the gun to be cocked while open or opened while cocked. This gun has been polished and the stocks refinished at some point, so it looks good for its age. It still locks up tight and is a nice example of a Parker top-lever; it will make a nice addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
