Parker Brothers CH Grade 4 Hammerless 28″ 12 GA SXS Shotgun, 1891 Antique
SOLD FOR: $4245
LSB#: 210611TP31
Make: Parker Brothers
Model: CH Grade Hammerless
Serial Number: 66207
Year of Manufacture: 1891
Gauge: 12 Gauge 2 1/2”, Black Powder Only
Action Type: Side by Side, Double Non-Selective Trigger Shotgun with Extractor
Markings: The barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN CONN. BERNARD STEEL.”. The underside of the barrel set flat is marked “PAT’D APR 11. 1876 / B”, “38”, and “4”. The underside of the lug is marked “1”, the left is marked with the serial number and the rear is marked “207”. The top of the forend bracket has the serial number. The forend latch fixture is marked “PAT’D MAR 26 / 1878”. The sides of the frame are marked “PARKER BROS” on banners next to hunting dog scenes. 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 with “4”, the serial number, “C” and “MAR. 16. 1875.”. The lower tang is serialized to the receiver. The receiver and forend hardware have Grade 4 scroll and border engraving with a stag scene on the trigger plate. There is a hunting dog scene on the trigger guard.
Barrel Length: 28″
Choke: The barrels are both fixed Improved Cylinder.
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a front bead, set into the concave solid rib. The top of the rib has serrations, ending just short of the muzzle at a scribed line.
Weight: 6 lb., 12.5 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece walnut set with splinter forend, capped pistol grip, skeleton buttplate, straight comb, silver initial plate in the belly, and Grade 4 checkering and carving. The stocks have scattered light nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a small chip-loss at the rear of the top tang. The grip checkering shows handling wear, but is visible and fairly defined. Drop at comb is 1 7/8”, drop at heel is 3″, the cast is about neutral. The LOP measures 14 1/4″ 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 mostly worn to white with some scattered light oxidation. The checkering inside of the plate has some wear, but remains fairly defined. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition as Antique and factory refurbished.
Type of Finish: Case Colored & Damascus
Finish Originality: Factory Refurbished
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is infrequent very minor erosion in the bore. Some minor ripples can be seen in the bore, this may be due to the dents which were pressed out at the factory in 1896.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 85% of its metal finish. The barrels have generally strong damascus patterning throughout. The exposed portions of the receiver have mostly muted, with some color on the water table and under the lever. The receiver has some scattered discoloration from oxidation. The markings are clear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine condition as factory refurbished Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock up with no play to the frame. The shotgun features dual non-selective triggers and an extractor. 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 detailing the history of this gun. The letter shows minor storage wear with personal information redacted.
Our Assessment: This is a Parker Brothers CH Grade 4 Hammerless from 1891, one of the earlier Parker hammerless guns we have seen. This would be a great addition to a Parker collection, especially with all of the information provided in the included Parker Collectors Association letter. This gun was originally ordered for a W. O. Luce Jr. by Hibbard Spencer Bartlett on August 25, 1891, shipping on September 1 of that year. According to the letter, it shipped in its present configuration, all the way down to weight, drop and length of pull! THe gun was returned in January 1893 to take out dents, clean, refinish, and refurbish the stock for the princely sum of $6! The gun would return to the factory again in 1896 to take out dents, this time for free. Given the obvious use this gun saw in its first 5 years, it certainly doesn’t seem to have seen much since, remaining in Fine condition as Antique. It is sure to take a prized place in a Parker collection. Please see our photos and good luck!