Parker Brothers Model GH Grade 2 16 GA 28 GA Briley 26″ SxS Shotgun C&R
SOLD FOR: $2525
LSB#: 220223JE003
Make: Parker Brothers
Model: GH Grade 2 Hammerless
Serial Number: 151381
Year of Manufacture: 1909
Gauge: 16 Gauge, 2 1/2″ Chamber, 28 GA Briley Subgauge tubes 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 left barrel flat is marked with “J.G.” in an oval and “&”, the right barrel flat is marked “4 / D” and “34”. The underside of the lug is marked “K1”, the left with “151381”. The top of the forend iron has the serial number “151381?.The latch assembly is marked “PAT’D. MAR. 26.1878” and the top of the latch itself is marked “151381?. The water table is marked “PAT’D JAN. 18, AUG. 16. 1887 / MAY 7-OCT.8.1889 / PATD. AUG. 15. 1905” on the right lug. The left lug is marked “GH / 151381 / 2”. The lower tang is marked “151381?. The sides of the frame are marked “PARKER BROS” above game scenes. The trigger plate has a game scene surrounded by scroll engraving. There is scroll engraving on the receiver, trigger guard, trigger plate and lever.
Barrel Length: 26” with Concave Solid Rib, .50″ at Receiver, .38″ at Muzzle.
Choke: Left: Improved Cylinder, Right: Cylinder, both fixed.
Sights / Optics: There is a metal 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., 4 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut set with splinter forend, capped pistol grip, checkered black hard rubber buttplate, and inlaid silver initial-plate in the belly (not marked). There are some scattered areas of thinning and some little patches of finish loss, some of the most noticeable are on the cheeks, top of the wrist, and comb at the front. There are some scattered compressions, nicks, and a few scratches. The most noticeable scratches are on the left side of the buttstock. There are some scattered draglines. Drop at comb is 1 1/2”, drop at heel is 2 3/8?, 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 buttplate has a few small losses at the toe and there are some scattered nicks. The checkering is mostly strong, the most noticeable rub wear is at the heel. The stocks rate in Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Damascus
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright and there is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 60% of its metal finish. The case color has mostly worn off of the receiver and is mostly muted, the strongest is under the lever. There are some scattered little spots of discoloration on the receiver from previous oxidation. The bottom of the rib has some spots of discoloration from previous oxidation and some spots of erosion, most noticeable towards the muzzles. The barrels have a few little nicks and scratches, most noticeable towards the front. There are a few scuffs and areas of finish loss on the barrels, most noticeable on the sides at the muzzles and on the side of the left barrel about midway between the forend and muzzle. There are a few areas of discoloration from previous oxidation on the barrels. There are some light handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to light tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The tang safety engages automatically. The barrels lock 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 & Accessories: This gun comes with a luggage case with two snap caps, fitted Briley sub-gauge 28 gauge tubes, tools, Briley paperwork, and chokes for the tubes. The chokes are two (2x) Skeet, Improved Cylinder, Improved Modified, Modified, and Full. Please note, one of the tubes is missing its extractor.
Our Assessment: This Parker Brothers GHE Grade Hammerless comes to us from 1909 and has a 16 gauge 26″ damascus barrel set. The GH Grade filled a gap between the lower grade or “knockabout” guns and the higher grade or “fine” guns, offering a finer quality fit and finish, engraving and style in a gun which could still be taken to the field without feeling like you’re ruining a presentation piece. Ejectors were also available those models are thus dubbed the GHE. This example is a GH with an extractor, it has it’s original finish with the remainder of the wear being perfectly consistent with a responsibly used field gun that’s over 110 years old. The markings are still clear as day and the initial plate in the stock is just waiting for you to have it engraved. The previous owner did it right and got tubes fitted so that the Damascus barrels would not get worn. This shotgun is a beauty and would make a great addition to any collection, especially an avid bird hunter or Parker collector. Please see our photos and good luck!