{"product_id":"original-belgian-10-gauge-double-barrel-hammer-coaching-shotgun-by-w-parkhurst-for-u-s-market-circa-1895-serial-no-9652","title":"Original Belgian Wm. Parkhurst 10 Gauge Double Barrel Top Lever Hammer Shotgun with Laminated Steel Barrels for the U.S. Market, Circa 1895, Serial No. 9652","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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 \u003cstrong\u003e9652\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring 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. \u003cstrong\u003eWm PARKHURST\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u0026amp; Dumoulin. Parkhurst guns also appeared in American sporting goods catalogs, including those of the prominent New York firm Schoverling, Daly \u0026amp; Gales.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left lock plate is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWm PARKHURST\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe right lock plate is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eMACHINE MADE\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shotgun is fitted with side by side \u003cstrong\u003e30\"\u003c\/strong\u003e barrels and measures \u003cstrong\u003e47\"\u003c\/strong\u003e overall. Both barrels are marked \u003cstrong\u003e19.0\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating an approximate bore diameter in millimeters, and the Belgian proof marks identify the gun as \u003cstrong\u003e10 gauge\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rib near the breech is clearly marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBELGIUM LAMINATED STEEL\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe underside of the barrels carries a particularly useful group of Belgian proof and inspection markings. Both barrels bear:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE\u003cbr\u003eL G\u003cbr\u003e★\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewithin a crowned oval. This is the definitive Liège proof mark used on breechloading arms beginning in 1893. The barrels also bear the \u003cstrong\u003ePerron\u003c\/strong\u003e, or Tower of Liège, inspection mark, together with individual controller marks including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e★\u003cbr\u003eE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth barrels are marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e10\u003cbr\u003eC\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewithin a diamond, confirming the 10 gauge chambering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional markings on the barrel assembly include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e883\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eT 5 789\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e9652\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe meaning of \u003cstrong\u003eT 5 789\u003c\/strong\u003e has not been identified. The number \u003cstrong\u003e883\u003c\/strong\u003e appears to be an assembly or fitting number, while \u003cstrong\u003e9652\u003c\/strong\u003e is the serial number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe watertable is likewise marked with serial number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e9652\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003etogether with assembly number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e883\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand additional Liège inspection markings including the \u003cstrong\u003ePerron\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003e★ \/ E\u003c\/strong\u003e. No corresponding markings were observed on the fore stock iron.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe action uses the familiar late 19th century \u003cstrong\u003etop lever\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemoving the checkered fore stock allows the barrel assembly to be detached from the action for cleaning, inspection, and compact storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt some point during the shotgun's history, the butt was fitted with a \u003cstrong\u003eBROWNING\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its imposing 10 gauge chambering, 30\" laminated steel barrels, exposed rebounding hammers, engraved locks and action, matching serial number \u003cstrong\u003e9652\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e circa 1895\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eMaker: W. Parkhurst\u003cbr\u003eSerial No.: 9652\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: 10 Gauge \/ Bore\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 30 Inches with about 2 1\/2\" long Chambers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 47 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction type: Box Lock with Internal Hammers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: Top Break with Top Lever\u003cbr\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46010754105413,"sku":"ONAC26B033","price":1195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/3A6BB866-22FC-4549-8D73-98B17174C8F2.jpg?v=1792011816","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-belgian-10-gauge-double-barrel-hammer-coaching-shotgun-by-w-parkhurst-for-u-s-market-circa-1895-serial-no-9652","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}