Original Item: Only One Available. This is a particularly attractive Belgian made Wm. Parkhurst 10 gauge double barrel hammer shotgun produced for the large American sporting arms market around the turn of the 20th century. It features imposing 30" laminated steel barrels, exposed rebounding hammers, a top lever action, extensive scroll engraving, checkered walnut stocks, and matching serial number 9652 on the barrel assembly and action. The barrels retain clearly visible laminated construction, while the metalwork and wood have developed the appealing, well aged appearance collectors look for in an honest Belgian sporting double.

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.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Liège was one of the world's great centers of sporting gun production, turning out enormous numbers of shotguns for export. Many were sold in the United States under retailer or trade names rather than the name of the actual Belgian manufacturer. Wm PARKHURST is one of these American market names and is encountered on Belgian doubles associated in period gun trade references with the Liège firm of Simonis, Janssen & Dumoulin. Parkhurst guns also appeared in American sporting goods catalogs, including those of the prominent New York firm Schoverling, Daly & Gales.

The left lock plate is marked:

Wm PARKHURST

The right lock plate is marked:

MACHINE MADE

The shotgun is fitted with side by side 30" barrels and measures 47" overall. Both barrels are marked 19.0, indicating an approximate bore diameter in millimeters, and the Belgian proof marks identify the gun as 10 gauge.

The rib near the breech is clearly marked:

BELGIUM LAMINATED STEEL

The barrels were constructed from laminated or pattern welded steel, a common and visually distinctive method used on sporting shotguns of this period. The original finish has largely mellowed to a mottled gray and brown patina, but the spiral and layered forging pattern remains readily visible, especially when the fore stock and barrel assembly are removed.

The underside of the barrels carries a particularly useful group of Belgian proof and inspection markings. Both barrels bear:

E
L G
★

within a crowned oval. This is the definitive Liège proof mark used on breechloading arms beginning in 1893. The barrels also bear the Perron, or Tower of Liège, inspection mark, together with individual controller marks including:

★
E

Both barrels are marked:

10
C

within a diamond, confirming the 10 gauge chambering.

Additional markings on the barrel assembly include:

883
T 5 789
9652

The meaning of T 5 789 has not been identified. The number 883 appears to be an assembly or fitting number, while 9652 is the serial number.

The watertable is likewise marked with serial number:

9652

together with assembly number:

883

and additional Liège inspection markings including the Perron and ★ / E. No corresponding markings were observed on the fore stock iron.

The gun is all iron mounted and presents extremely well, with attractive period engraving across much of the frame and both back action lock plates. The decoration is restrained but extensive enough to give this large bore sporting gun considerably more character than a plain utility double.

The action uses the familiar late 19th century top lever system rather than a side lever. Moving the lever allows the barrels to hinge downward for loading and unloading. When the gun is opened, the extractor rises correctly. Both firing pins remain free moving.

The exposed back action locks are of the rebounding type and remain mechanically active during manual inspection. Both hammers cock and release with strong action. They do not have separate half cock positions, as the rebounding system draws the hammers away from the firing pins after release.

The bores are clean and mostly bright. Both show evidence of old fouling and oxidation that has subsequently been cleaned away, but they remain quite respectable for a large bore laminated steel shotgun of this age.

Removing the checkered fore stock allows the barrel assembly to be detached from the action for cleaning, inspection, and compact storage.

The walnut butt stock has an attractive warm color and pleasing grain. It has a pistol grip profile with worn but still visible checkering and a small silver colored escutcheon set into the underside of the grip. The wood shows the expected handling marks and wear from long use.

At some point during the shotgun's history, the butt was fitted with a BROWNING marked hard rubber recoil pad. This is a later addition rather than an original Parkhurst fitting. The pad remains in very good condition overall, although some small pieces of wood are missing near its upper edge.

The fore stock shows somewhat heavier wear than the butt stock, including worn checkering. It removes easily using the lever on its underside. One screw associated with the fore stock attaching hardware appears to be missing.

With its imposing 10 gauge chambering, 30" laminated steel barrels, exposed rebounding hammers, engraved locks and action, matching serial number 9652, strong Liège proof markings, attractive walnut furniture, and honest turn of the century patina, this is an especially appealing example of the Belgian export doubles that filled the American sporting market during the period. Its large bore configuration and clearly visible laminated barrel pattern give it considerable display presence and make it a natural addition to a collection of early American market shotguns, Belgian sporting arms, or large bore hammer doubles.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1895
Maker: W. Parkhurst
Serial No.: 9652
Caliber: 10 Gauge / Bore
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 30 Inches with about 2 1/2" long Chambers
Overall Length: 47 Inches
Action type: Box Lock with Internal Hammers
Feed System: Top Break with Top Lever
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

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 all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the 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 almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.