OK he might sell later, but I'm just tryin' to help a co-worker with this new find.

We're researching a Parker Bro's Makers (Meriden CT.) shotgun, and we have learned a number of things about the family and production runs etc. There is a gap however on the period under the Parker Bro's Makers engraved pieces. I don't have his images yet these are not hard to see elsewhere, yet there are many questions on this early run of the shotguns, roughly at the end of the War Between the States. Any links/sources are appreciated.

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/index.php

Give this link a try. They usually have just about every shotgun made covered somewhere in the forum.

Many thanks. I have learned it was made right after the War, and it's an interesting search on such an oldie! Wish it was in my pile of too much stuff.

A lot of those old Parker Bros are high $$$$$

Would love to see some PICTURES !!!!!

Yeah I've seen that in this research effort. I'm guessing his isn't one of the high value guns, yet it may be due to it's early number and historical value. It's the earliest number I've ever read about, and I got to handle it. It's rough, but still neat since it's probably from their earliest production in the shotgun world.

I'll see if I can get pics of his #65 gun?

You can send for a letter of authenticity by mailing to: The Exec. Secretary Parker Gun Collectors Association, 8825 Bud Smith Road, Wake Forest, SC 27587 or FAX 919-554-8120

The letters are $25 for members of PCGA and $40 for non-members.

I'd highly recommend him get the papers even if he doesn't sell it. I'd recommend an insurance policy for it also. Just because you/ he doesn't think it is worth much you'd be surprised. There are some going for 500% or more depending on guage and model.

Not his Parker, but pics of an old Parker you want, pics of an old Parker you get. This is my Parker 10-guage 1879 B-Grade. Not the cleanest in the world, but still fully functional (not that I'd want to shoot it, of course!) I just took these in kind of a hurry on my coffee table.

Thanks Drifter, and Proud. I hope to get it from him if he decides it isn't a money maker, haha. I think it's a historically interesting piece rather than a high dollar piece, but it's very helpful to get input from the larger community.

My inquiries convince me this one is about an 1868-1869 version, as it's in the lesser number of the Laminated Steel models they tried in the early days. Anyway if I can get pics or learn more, I'll share.

Figures I would stay interested in this effort....and picked up an oldie myself, just today. My latest oldie is an Iver Johnson "Champion". Actually even without knowing all one wants to know about these old pieces, it's fun to me.