Parker Bros 12

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  • Derwood

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 2, 2011
    1,075
    DC area
    Hi- I recently got very lucky and inherited a collection from a relative who passed away. I am trying to understand each piece and get a ballpark estimate of the value for insurance purposes. Any help is very much appreciated. I will do my best to post clear and detailed photos and to not spam the board with too many at once. Thanks!!!

    What can you tell me about this Parker Bros 12 gauge shotgun? It locks up tight and appears to be in good working order. I am very interested in shooting this one and hunting with it as I believe my relative used this as a primary hunting tool.

    I looked up the serial number and the website I found says it is a model VH would have been made in 1900. But I have no idea what I’m doing/could be totally wrong.

    Markings:
    Parker Brothers Makers, Meridian, Conn. Vulcan Steel —on the top of the barrels.
    Parker Bros engraved on either side of the receiver
    Sticking pattern around the receiver
    Parker Brothers and a picture of a dog on the butt plate.
    SAFE on the tang safety
    Pat’d Jan 18 Aug 18 1887 May 7-Oct 8 1889 inside receiver
    Serial number 94### letter V above the serial number.
    Barrel, fore end and receiver serial numbers match
    Significant dings and scratches on the stock
     

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    Song Dog

    Active Member
    Jan 2, 2013
    368
    Eastern Shore -Delmarva
    Its a early Parker VH grade # 2 frame with lots of drop on the stock; Barrels have been reblued and receiver polished, screws turned as assume the floor plate screws turn too so some work been done inside the action. The top tang lever past the center so needs a new locking block if you intend to shoot it a lot. I would only use light loads, 7/8 or 1 ounce loads lower velocity/pressure. You didn't include Pic of barrels so best bet full chokes or mod/full if chokes have not been messed with. As far as insurance, I wouldn't, not worth that much to insure from what I'm seeing.
     

    Derwood

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 2, 2011
    1,075
    DC area
    Thanks so much! Here is a picture of the barrels.

    I would love be able to take it upland bird hunting a time or two as long as it’s safe to shoot, but I won’t be shooting it all the time.

    Is it the work done over the years that makes it less collectible/interesting or was this just the lower end model?

    As you can tell I have not cleaned it yet. What do you suggest for an initial inspection and cleaning?
     

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    MaxVO2

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    ****Hey, that's a pretty cool piece you inherited. If you plan on shooting with it, I would *strongly* suggest you take it to a gunsmith for a quick look over. In addition, once it is cleaned up only fire very light loads out of it to make sure it's sound. Perhaps use a patterning board as well to check spread, etc.. if you plan on hunting with it.

    Dunno how much it is worth, but I doubt it is worth an additional rider or fee for it. When in doubt, get it appraised of course. I pay a bit of extra money to insure some of my firearms through the company I use, but it's modern stuff that I have receipts for so it is a bit easier to verify value for replacement costs, etc..

    Good luck. Did your relative leave anything else from that generation of firearms? It's amazing to me that there are firearms, well maintained made by companies like Beretta from the 18th century that still shoot fine.

    That shotgun of yours looks like it has seen some action. Hopefully you know something about it's history, especially if it is from your family.
     

    Derwood

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 2, 2011
    1,075
    DC area
    Thanks! Yes, I'm posting several threads so that there is one for each firearm. Unfortunately I don't know much about the individual pieces. He worked next to a pawn shop and often made trades or picked up new items that way. I know he bought all of them from the 1950s-1980s. He may have bought one or two in the 90s but it's unlikely. A few may have come from his father. So basically...I don't know much other than that I'm incredibly grateful to have received them and plan to pass them to my sons one day.

    Would you just clean it like any shotgun? I generally just use Balistol on a soft cloth and a bore snake. I haven't touched anything yet other than taking pictures so that I don't make a mistake before I learn more.
     

    sxs

    Senior Member
    MDS Supporter
    Nov 20, 2009
    3,377
    Anne Arundel County, MD
    Have the chambers checked for length. While a 12 ga should be nominally 2-3/4", it may only measure something like 2-5/8". Many old guns are chambered slightly short to create a nice seal with the paper hull shot shells of the day. With Vulcan steel barrels, it should be safe to shoot with light trap type loads. But, for extra safety, get you some 2-1/2" shells loaded light. These can also be had with spreader wads....which will open the shot pattern. Most of these guns, if they have uncut barrels, will have modified and full chokes. RST and Polywad make these light shells. Polywad sells them with SpreadR inserts. Not sure how Covid has affected availability of these shells. It's been a few years since I ordered a flat from Polywad (and you can mix/match shotsizes and SpreadR/non spreader shells in a flat.).
     

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