Parker Brothers Model GHE Grade 2 20 GA 26″ SxS Double Barrel Shotgun C&R
SOLD FOR: $6350
LSB#: 220106RP006
Make: Parker Brothers
Model: GHE Grade 2 Hammerless
Serial Number: 152790
Year of Manufacture: 1910
Gauge: 20 Gauge, 2 1/2″ Chamber
Action Type: Side by Side, Double Trigger Shotgun with Ejectors
Markings: The barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROS MAKERS. MERIDEN CT. U.S.A. PARKER SPEC. STEEL.”. Both sides of the barrel flat are marked “OVERLOAD / PARKER BROS / PROVED” and the right barrel flat is marked “HT / A”, “PS” in circle, and “31”. The underside of the lug is marked “20 / 0”, the left with “152790”. The top of the forend iron has the serial number “152790? and “PATD. MAY 7, 1901. The latch assembly is marked “PAT’D. MAR. 26.1878” and the top of the latch itself is marked “152790?. 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 / 152790 / 2”. The lower tang is marked “152790?. The trigger plate visible through the receiver is marked “790”. 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, .30″ at Muzzle.
Choke: Left : Improved Modified, Right: Improved Cylinder, both fixed.
Sights / Optics: There is a white bead mounted to the front of the rib behind a scribed line. There is a smaller white bead at the midsection. 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, straight grip, bare checkered butt, and inlaid silver initial-plate in the belly (not marked). There is a repaired chip loss on the right side of the wrist that starts at the receiver, runs rearwards and then reverses and stops where the top tang gets smaller. There is another repaired crack on the top of the wrist at the rear of the tang. The stocks were refinished when the cracks and chip loss were repaired. The wrist is slightly proud to the receiver and top tang in certain areas. There are some scattered little compressions and a few little tiny marks through the finish. The checkering has light handling wear but is strong and well defined. Drop at comb is 1 5/8”, drop at heel is 2 3/8?, 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 butt. The checkering has light wear but is strong and well defined. The stocks rate in Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright and there is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. There is some light thinning on the bottom of the receiver from use. There are a few scattered spots of minor surface oxidation on the trigger guard, top tang, and bottom of the receiver. There are a few areas of discoloration from previous oxidation on the receiver and trigger plate, most noticeable on the right side of the receiver on the bottom rear corner and on the trigger plat to the right of the triggers. There is some thinning on the bottom tang. The barrels have a couple of spots of oxidation, most noticeable on the bottom at the front. There are a few little spots of finish loss and some scuffs that have thinned the finish, most noticeable bottom of the rib and left barrel towards the forend, and on the side of the right chamber. There is some light thinning on the edges of the muzzles. There are some light handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The ejectors are strong. The tang safety does not engage automatically but functions correctly when manually activated. 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 leather luggage case.
Our Assessment: This Parker Brothers GHE Grade Hammerless comes to us from 1910 and has a 20 gauge 26″ Parker Special Steel barrel set paired with their 0 size frame. 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 has it’s original finish and lots of it 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. 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!