Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original antique Parker Brothers Grade 0 top action 12 gauge double barrel hammer shotgun, Serial No. 44009, manufactured in 1885. Built on a size 1 frame, it features double triggers, exposed rebounding hammers, a fishtail top action lever, capped pistol grip stock, and attractive twist forged barrels. The serial number is repeated on the trigger guard, water table, fore-end fitting, and left side of the barrel lug, while the barrel assembly carries the Grade 0 (T) marking. The shotgun presents exceptionally well, although the metal and wood finishes appear to have been professionally refreshed at some point, most likely during the mid-20th century.

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 12 gauge is a Grade 0 (T) with a size 1 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, and as they introduced higher grades they used various letters to denote the grade 0, which on this shotgun is a T in a circle on the bottom of the barrel assembly. Later produced examples of the grade 0 would have the code "PT" (Plain Twist) marked above the serial number, which on this gun is 44009, denoting the year of manufacture as 1885. 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 twist forged barrels.

The top rib remains clearly marked:

PARKER BROS MAKERS. MERIDEN CONN. TWIST.

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 "44009 PT T 0 C 12 28", which when put through the legend in the book gives the following specifications:

GRA[de] = PT = 0 grade with twist barrels
A[ction] = T = Top action
XT = 0 = No options
S[tocks] = C = Capped pistol grip
BO[re] = 12 = 12 gauge
LE[ngth] = 28 = 28" barrels

There is a discrepancy between the reference entry and the firearm itself. The serial numbered barrel assembly on this shotgun measures approximately 30", rather than the 28" length recorded in the reference. Because the barrel assembly is serial numbered to the gun, this most likely reflects an error or discrepancy in the surviving production records or their later transcription.

The shotgun remains in excellent overall presentation condition, although the finishes appear to have been professionally refreshed in the past. This is especially apparent in the strong case coloring on the frame and related hardware, which shows comparatively little wear except on portions of the fore-end iron. Some markings beneath the renewed finish are softer than would normally be expected on an untouched example. The work was executed to a high standard and gives the gun a very attractive appearance.

The twist 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 do not spring back on their own; whether this is correct for this exact configuration has not been independently established. 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 excellent condition and also appear to have been refreshed when the metalwork was refinished. 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 crisp and well defined.

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 a checkered hard rubber buttplate marked:

PARKER BROTHERS

around the familiar pointer dog holding or retrieving a game bird motif.

With its matching Serial No. 44009 components, 1885 manufacture date, Grade 0 twist barrel configuration, size 1 frame, exposed rebounding hammers, fishtail top action lever, clearly marked 30" twist barrels, strong checkering, and attractive Parker hard rubber furniture, this is a particularly handsome early Parker Brothers hammer shotgun. The professionally refreshed metal and wood finishes, softer markings beneath portions of the renewed case coloring, 30" barrel length discrepancy with the published 28" record, non-returning firing pins, and light bore fouling and oxidation are fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a Parker Brothers, early American sporting shotgun, exposed hammer double gun, twist barrel, or advanced antique firearms collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1885
Maker: Parker Brothers
Model: Grade 0 (PT) Hammer Shotgun
Caliber: 12 gauge / bore
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 30 Inches with 3 Inch chambers
Overall Length: 46 1/2 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.