Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original antique Parker Brothers L1 Grade 1 top action 10 gauge double barrel hammer shotgun, serial number 28825, manufactured in 1883. Built on a size 3 frame, it retains its matching serial numbered major components, 30" laminated steel barrels, exposed rebounding hammers, double triggers, fishtail top action lever, capped pistol grip stock, and attractive period finish. The shotgun also corresponds closely to the factory configuration recorded in Parker Gun Identification & Serialization.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Known by several names over the years, the company produced almost exclusively shotguns during the many years it existed, and offered them with a wide variety of options. For the first 20+ years of production, Parker Bros. used an exposed hammer design, but by 1888 the first hammer-less guns were offered for sale. Parker guns were often seen as the gun of choice by celebrities including Annie Oakley, Frank Butler, Clark Gable, as well as the top ranked competition shooters of the day.

This example in 10 gauge is a Grade 1 (L1) with a size 3 frame (marked on the bottom of the barrel lug), correct for this chambering. The first shotguns made by Parker Brothers were all "Grade 0", the least adorned, after which they introduced the "Grade 1" with laminated steel barrels, also called the L1. In many cases the nomenclature was retroactive, so the marking on the bottom of the barrel on this gun is LE, for "Laminate". There is assembly number 17524 marked on the flat of the barrel bottom.

Eventually the grade would be marked next to the serial number, which on this gun is 28825, denoting the year of manufacture as 1883. This can be clearly seen on the trigger guard, water table, fore-end fitting, and left side of the barrel lug. It features a double trigger, fishtail top action break open lever, and laminated steel forged barrels.

The top rib remains clearly marked:

PARKER BROS MAKERS. MERIDEN CONN.

Both lock plates are also clearly marked:

PARKER BROS

Additional patent markings are present on the fore-end iron, water table, and underside of the barrel assembly. These numerous patent stamps reflect the many mechanical improvements incorporated into Parker guns during this period.

We checked the reference book Parker Gun Identification & Serialization by Blue Book Publications, and the entry it had for this gun is "28825 L1 T 0 P 10 30", which when put through the legend in the book gives the following specifications:

GRA[de] = L1 = 1 grade with laminated steel barrels
A[ction] = T = Top action
XT = 0 = No options
S[tocks] = P = Pistol grip (may or may not be capped)
BO[re] = 10 = 10 gauge
LE[ngth] = 30 = 30" barrels

This shotgun is completely correct to the listed specifications, and shows no signs of alterations, damage, or misuse, just the usual wear from age and use. In this case the pistol grip is capped with a hard rubber "gutta percha" cap.

The shotgun remains in excellent overall presentation condition, and it does not appear to have had any refinishing done in the past. The action would have originally been case colored, and now displays mostly a light gray patina, with some traces of the original finish on the top of the water table. There is also a good amount of the original case coloring on the underside of the foregrip, which is protected from wear.

The laminated steel forged barrels retain a strong and clearly visible pattern throughout, and the barrel legend remains easy to read. The bores are mostly bright and shiny, with some light old fouling and oxidation concentrated nearer the chambers.

The mechanical components presently operate correctly in hand. Both locks function and the hammers rebound as expected. When the action is opened, the extractor rises properly, although its function with fired or dummy shells has not been tested. The firing pins move back and forth easily, and do not spring back on their own, which is correct as Parker did not use any type of coil spring on their floating firing pins. The fore-end release lever functions, allowing the fore-end to be removed and the shotgun to be taken down into its major components. These observations describe only the current mechanical state and do not establish firing safety.

The stocks remain in very good condition, still retaining the original finish and showing light wear consistent with handling and use. There are no cracks or other major damage, and the wood is quite attractive. We did note that the butt stock is made from two pieces of wood, however we see no signs of repair at all. The applied varnish remains strong and attractive, with only light scratches and handling wear. Checkering on the wrist and underside of the fore-end remains present, but does show wear. A small blank shield escutcheon is inset at the rear of the wrist. The capped pistol grip terminates in a hard rubber, or gutta-percha style, grip cap. The buttstock is fitted with an iron butt plate.

With its matching serial number 28825 components, 1883 manufacture date, L1 Grade 1 configuration, size 3 frame, 30" laminated steel barrels, exposed rebounding hammers, fishtail top action lever, capped pistol grip stock, visible barrel pattern, and attractive original appearing finish, this is a particularly handsome early Parker Brothers hammer shotgun. The faded receiver finish, light bore fouling and oxidation near the chambers, worn checkering, two piece buttstock construction, and uncertain firing pin return behavior are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a Parker Brothers, early American sporting shotgun, exposed hammer double gun, laminated barrel, 10 gauge, or advanced antique firearms collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1883
Maker: Parker Brothers
Model: Grade 1 (L1) Hammer Shotgun
Caliber: 10 gauge / bore
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 30 Inches with 3 Inch chambers
Overall Length: 46 1/4 Inches
Action type: Side Action Rebounding Locks with External Hammers
Feed System: Top Break with Top Lever
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

Parker Bros., also known at various times as Parker Brothers Manufacturing Company, Parker Brothers Guns, and Parker Bros. Shotguns, was an American firm almost exclusively producing shotguns from approximately 1867 through 1942. During these years, approximately 242,000 guns were produced in various grades and are widely considered the finest and most collectible American shotgun. All Parker Guns are break-open style actions, and most were side-by-side double barreled designs, the remainder being single barrel guns intended for use in trap shooting.

Parker guns were offered in 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 20, 28 and .410 gauges. There is an experimental example known to have been produced in 18 gauge. All else being equal, the smaller the gauge, the more scarce and valuable a Parker gun would be in today's world.

Parker guns were sold at various price points, the basic gun being the same design with the price increasing as production costs (engraving, fit and finish, quality of wood grain, barrel steel, etc.). These grades included: dollars grades, Trojan & VH through A-1 Special/ Invincible.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.