Parker Brothers Under-Lifter Hammer Gun D2 Grade 10 GA SXS Shotgun, Antique
SOLD FOR: $1681
LSB#: 220527VH014
Make: Parker Brothers
Model: Under-Lifter Hammer Gun, D2 Grade
Serial Number: 18828
Year of Manufacture: 1880 (“Parker Gun Identification & Serialization”, Price & Fjestad)
Gauge: 10 Gauge, 2 1/2”, 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. DAMASCUS STEEL”. The left of the barrel lug is marked “18828”. The barrel flats are marked “PAT’D. APR. 11. 1876”, “DK” monogram, “5 14” and “10040”. The bottom of the barrel lug is marked “3”. Each lockplate has “PARKER BROS” and D2 Grade scroll and border engraving. The water table is marked “18828 / PATD MAR. 16. 1875.”. The bottom tang is marked “18828”. The trigger plate is marked “PAT’D NOV. 13. 1861″, ” MAR. 28. 1875.”. The top of the forend iron is marked “18828”. The forend lever assembly is marked “PAT MAR 26 1878”.
Barrel Length: 30″
Choke: Left: approximately 0.030″ constriction or Light Full, Right: approximately 0.020″ constriction or Modified, both fixed.
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead at the front of the rib.
Weight: 10 lb., 2.5 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb and steel skeleton buttplate with checkered wood in the center. The forend has a triangular metal inlay at the tip and there is a small metal shield pinned to the top of the wrist. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a very small loss at the right-rear edge of the forend at the top and another at the bottom-right edge of the grip above the cap. There is a tiny crack at the rear edge of the right lock plate. The wood has darkened with age and oil. The checkering ranges from fairly well defined to worn, but visible. The LOP measures 14″ and 13 1/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a light patina with scattered spots of solid erosion. The checkering on the face of the butt is worn, but visible. Drop at comb is approximately 1 3/4″, drop at heel 2 7/8″. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Damascus & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are gray with scattered light-moderate erosion and pitting.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 5% of its metal finish. Most surfaces have worn to white or gone to a light patina with scattered light surface oxidation. There is some case color figuring visible on the water table and top of the forend iron. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are mostly tool marked with strong slots, a couple are disfigured with useable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock up to the receiver with very light 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 Parker Brothers Under-Lifter Hammer gun comes to us from all the way back in 1880, early in Parker production. The earliest guns had an interesting mechanism with a release lifter on the bottom of the receiver paired with damascus steel barrels and exposed hammers. For a gun more than 140 years old, this example is in pretty good shape, showing some honest wear consistent with use. Parker serial records indicate that this gun originally shipped in its current configuration. It is a 10 Gauge grade 2 with some light scroll engraving and 30″ damascus barrels. This will make a great addition to any collection, especially someone looking for an early American double gun or a Parker collector looking to add a 10 gauge to their stable. Please see our photos and good luck!