Parker Bros DHE Grade 3 Hammerless 26″ 12 GA SXS Double Shotgun, 1926 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,700.00
WOA#: WY240611RD038
Make: Parker Brothers
Model: DHE Grade 3 Hammerless
Serial Number: 218664
Year of Manufacture: 1926
Gauge: 12, chambered for 2 5/8” shells
Action Type: Side by Side, Double Trigger Shotgun with Extractors
Markings: The barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN. CT. U.S.A. TITANIC STEEL.”, with two arrows pointing toward the lettering. The underside of the barrel set flat is marked “T” in circle, ”HT / A”, “3 6” with the “6” as super-script, “3” and “J.G.” in an oval, each flat has a Parker proof marking, the lug is marked “12” and “1 1/2” with “218664” on the left. The top of the forend iron has the serial number “218664? and “PATD. MAY 7. 1901”. The sides of the frame are marked “PARKER BROS” on banners. The water table is marked “PAT’D. OCT. 25. 1910.” on the right lug. The left lug is marked “DH / 218664 / 3”. The lower tang is marked “218664”. 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: 26”, with solid, concave rib with wavy lines. The wavy line engraving is strong up to the bead, indicating the barrels are whole and have not been cut.
Choke: Left and Right: Modified, both fixed
Sights/Optics: There is a white bead at the front of the rib.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut set with splinter forend, inlaid steel forend tip, capped pistol grip, steel skeleton buttplate, and inlaid silver initial-plate in the belly engraved “AMB”. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a thin, short crack at the rear of the top tang in the wrist. The checkering is well-defined. Drop at comb is 1 3/4”, drop at heel is 2 7/8?. The LOP measures 13 7/8? and 13? from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the stock. The plate has scattered wear, more notable at the heel, and some minor surface oxidation. The stocks rate in Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued and Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is n erosion in the bores. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are some scattered spots of minor surface oxidation. There are infrequent minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. The tang mounted safety returns to ‘safe’ when the action is opened. The action locks up 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 DHE Grade Hammerless comes to us from 1926, during the “Roaring Twenties”. 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 example has ejectors and is in quite good condition, especially for a nearly 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!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud