Parker Bros DH Grade TI3 Hammerless 12 GA SXS Side by Side Shotgun 1899 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,040.00
WOA#: WY240530TP010
Make: Parker Brothers
Model: DH Grade TI3 Hammerless
Serial Number: 91396
Year of Manufacture: 1899
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 5/8”
Action Type: Side by Side, Double Non-Selective Trigger Shotgun with Extractor
Markings: The barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN. CONN. TITANIC STEEL.”, with two arrows pointing toward the lettering. The underside of the barrel set flat is marked ”K”, “48”, “PAT’D APR 12.1876”, “3” and “+” under the right barrel, “+” under the left barrel. The underside of the lug is marked “2” and the left with “91396”. The top of the forend iron has the serial number “91396?. 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 / 91396 / D”. The lower tang is marked “N 91396”. 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 stops just short of the muzzle at a line across the rib. The barrels just meet at the muzzle.
Choke: The barrels are both fixed choked Full.
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a white front bead set into the concave solid rib.
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 small loss at the left-front edge. There are some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no cracks. Drop at comb is 1 1/2”, drop at heel is 2 5/8?, 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 is worn to white with scattered light wear. The checkering on the butt is evenly worn. The stocks rate in Good-Very Good overall condition.
Note: Parker records in the Price/Fjestad book indicate that this gun was originally produced with a straight stock. The condition and configuration of the stock and guard likely indicate that this is either an error or the gun was returned to Parker at a later time. A Parker Gun Collectors Association may give more information about this gun.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion in the bore. There is a very small, very shallow dent barely visible in the left barrel on the bottom-left about 5? from the muzzle.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 35% of its metal finish. Most of the remaining finish is in the barrels which have scattered wear in the exposed portions and strong blue on the portion concealed by the forend. The receiver has mostly worn to white with some figuring visible on the water table and around the triggers. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation. There are some scattered light 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 Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The shotgun features dual non-selective triggers and an extractor; the tang mounted safety returns to ‘safe’ when the action is opened. The shotgun has no play in the frame to barrel fit. The lever sits just slightly to the left of center when the action is closed. 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 1899, 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. Despite its long and likely useful life, is bores are still quite bright with just one very minor dent and the action still locks up with no play. This example has honest wear consistent with its age, and certainly looks better than any of us will at 120 years old! The Parker records available from Price & Fjestad’s book indicate that this serial number was recorded with a straight grip, the serial-matching tang doesn’t seem to show signs of bending, the buttplate is of the appropriate style, though the grip cap is of a slightly earlier style. It’s unclear if this is a replacement stock or if there was an error in the records or their transcription. 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!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
