Parker Brothers Under Lifter 12 GA SXS Hammer Double Shotgun, 1874 Antique

SOLD FOR: $2,627.02

WOA#: WY240611RD033

Make: Parker Brothers 

Model: T (Twist) Grade Hammer Gun

Serial Number: 3832

Year of Manufacture: 1874

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 5/8” Chamber, Black Powder Only

Action Type: Side by Side, Lifter-Opened, External Hammer, Double Trigger Shotgun with Extractor 

Markings: The top of the barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROS” MAKERS” MERIDEN. CONN STUB TWIST””. The bottom of the right barrel is marked “T” and on the flat with “3”. The left of the barrel lug is marked “T3832”, the rear face of the lug is marked “3832”. The forend iron is marked “3832”, the wedge is marked “832”. The water table is marked “F. ? R. / T 3832”. Each lockplate has “PARKER BROS”. The bottom tang is marked “3832”. The trigger plate is marked PATD NOV. 18. 1866″. There is border engraving on the lockplates, hammers, and receiver.

Barrel Length: 30″

Choke: Left: Improved Cylinder, Right: Improved Cylinder, both fixed.

Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead at the front of the rib.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with wedge-secured splinter forend, straight grip, straight comb and smooth steel buttplate. The forend has a triangular inlaid steel tip and there is a metal thumb-plate in the top of the wrist. The stocks have scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2″, drop at heel 2 5/8″. LOP measures 14 1/4″ and 13 1/4″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with scattered light surface oxidation and erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Fine-plus condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Browned & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original. According to the Price & Fjestad book, this shotgun is in its original configuration, confirmed by serial number. 

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is some scattered minor erosion and stubborn fouling. There are some scattered minor dents visible in the bores. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate about 7 out of 10. 

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 75% of its metal finish. There is good twist patterning visible on the barrels. The receiver has some muting and handling wear, but retains surprisingly strong case color. Some areas have gone to a light patina. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs, scratches and some spots of surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, some are worn, but legible. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine-plus condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The left hammer’s rebounding spring is noticeably weaker than the right. The barrels lock up to the receiver with no play. The shotgun features dual triggers and an extractor. The action is opened using a lifter on the bottom of the receiver in front of the guard. 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 particularly early Parker Brothers Under-Lifter Hammer gun comes to us from all the way back in 1874, their first year of making shotguns. The earliest guns had an interesting mechanism with a release lifter on the bottom of the receiver paired with twist steel barrels and exposed hammers. For a 150 year old gun, this example is in shockingly good shape, retaining original finish and in its original configuration. The gun shows some honest wear, with some minor dents in otherwise quite good bores being the most notable defects. The overall condition of the gun and its quite early production would make it a great addition to any collection, especially an avid Parker collector. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud