Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Ellensburg on December 10, 2010, 11:30:17 AM

Title: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: Ellensburg on December 10, 2010, 11:30:17 AM: Got this family gun and it is sooo cool. It is a Parker Bros SxS 12 guage with double triggers and a damascus barrel and a ton of engraving. The whole barrel has loopy loops going down it. There is also some pretty cool engravings on the rest of the metal, including a couple ducks on it. It says that it was patented in 1876. Serial number is 61771. I dated the gun to 1890. Wood looks to be of high quality but I cannot tell for sure what it is. I don't have pictures to load right now ( Im at work) but I can probably get some up later. Pulled the triggers and they both fired. GREAT SHAPE.

I don't know if its a $500 gun or a $5,000 gun.

Grandpa said that he took it to a gunsmith 10 or 15 years ago and the guy valued it at 5-10k and wanted to buy it on the spot. I doubt that it is worth that much. Anyone real educated on these guns? I am tempted to make it my grouse gun one of these days.
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: Woodchuck on December 10, 2010, 11:33:37 AM: DO NOT FIRE IT WITH MODERN SHELLS :yike: if it is in good condition thay can fetch some serious coin
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: T-Rip on December 10, 2010, 11:41:31 AM: If its in good condition its worth more that what your grandfather was offered.

post a pic, and I may have an offer for you-
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: MP123 on December 10, 2010, 11:48:19 AM: Classic double shotguns can be shockingly expensive. Like $50,000+ Not saying that's the case here but it's not a $500 gun for sure.

And definetely don't shoot it with any modern loads. :bdid:
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: Ellensburg on December 10, 2010, 11:50:42 AM: I shoot an 1890 16 gauge with modern loads. Its not a damascus barrel and it does fine. I will try to get pictures tonight. Not really looking to sell the gun unless something was offered out of this world.
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: Ellensburg on December 10, 2010, 11:54:08 AM: And Im not saying that it is super rare, but I have done a lot of looking, and haven't found one on the net that matches it.
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: Buckmark on December 10, 2010, 11:55:55 AM: Try parkerguns.org should have some good info and possible contacts that might be able to give a good estimate of valve after examining your gun.
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: WDFW-SUX on December 10, 2010, 11:57:18 AM: Damascus barrels are for black powder loads only! Not for use with modern smokeless ammunition!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: Ellensburg on December 10, 2010, 11:59:23 AM: Quote from: WDFW-SUX on December 10, 2010, 11:57:18 AM
Damascus barrels are for black powder loads only! Not for use with modern smokeless ammunition!!!!!!!!!!!!

I need some of those loads then for testing it out.
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: WDFW-SUX on December 10, 2010, 12:04:07 PM: http://www.parkerguns.org/ (http://www.parkerguns.org/)

Dont know if that helps...
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on December 10, 2010, 01:33:20 PM: Quote from: WDFW-SUX on December 10, 2010, 11:57:18 AM
Damascus barrels are for black powder loads only! Not for use with modern smokeless ammunition!!!!!!!!!!!!

YES!

I have one too!

-Steve
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: chrisb on December 10, 2010, 01:37:02 PM: can't wait to see pics
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: Ellensburg on December 10, 2010, 05:54:09 PM: Here are the pics. I did more close ups than far away. Im guessing that anyone who knows about these wants to see close ups more.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg602.imageshack.us%2Fimg602%2F2434%2Fdamascus1.jpg&hash=b69ea76c992dbaad9c5219964e999fa871d273d0) (http://img602.imageshack.us/i/damascus1.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg838.imageshack.us%2Fimg838%2F4726%2Fdamascus3.jpg&hash=adf790be2925b316473a988bee5dbe061e557d25) (http://img838.imageshack.us/i/damascus3.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg528.imageshack.us%2Fimg528%2F2497%2Fdamascus4.jpg&hash=bff0c78ff730e3a27f05fa16b46338f7282d6475) (http://img528.imageshack.us/i/damascus4.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg403.imageshack.us%2Fimg403%2F9213%2Fdamascus5.jpg&hash=2e96b989665739e4b30501d7de3a6862fd10a960) (http://img403.imageshack.us/i/damascus5.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg5.imageshack.us%2Fimg5%2F3391%2Fdamascus6.jpg&hash=25495170fdc76ded16d14cf54990739daa8ecfb8) (http://img5.imageshack.us/i/damascus6.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg192.imageshack.us%2Fimg192%2F8006%2Fdamascus2.jpg&hash=a64241a1e633a8b1b810fe8b5e3602345ac8470a) (http://img192.imageshack.us/i/damascus2.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: WDFW-SUX on December 10, 2010, 05:56:45 PM: Very nice. How did your granfather come into possession?
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: Ellensburg on December 10, 2010, 06:04:33 PM: Quote from: WDFW-SUX on December 10, 2010, 05:56:45 PM
Very nice. How did your granfather come into possession?

from his father.
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: WDFW-SUX on December 10, 2010, 06:11:10 PM: looks like its not for sale.

Id keep passing it down...might be worth a house some day. :twocents:
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: shoot-em-dead on December 10, 2010, 06:37:47 PM: nice gun. Are you sure the barrel is a Damascus?
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: 270Shooter on December 10, 2010, 06:47:30 PM: Very cool shotgun! I don't like sxs as far as hunting goes, but awesome gun none the less!
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on December 10, 2010, 08:21:07 PM: Quote from: shoot-em-dead on December 10, 2010, 06:37:47 PM
nice gun. Are you sure the barrel is a Damascus?

As far as I know, all of the Parkers from that era have Damascus barrels.

-Steve
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: uplandhunter870 on December 10, 2010, 08:34:20 PM: if the barrel looks like it is wrapped with fine wire, its most likely a damascus barrel i cannot tell from the pics, i would most definitely not shoot any shells through that gun before you are 100% dead to nuts no shadow of a doubt sure of what kind of barrels they are

as for Parker shotguns, there are NO $500 Parkers; Parkers are right up there with Holland & Holland of London. the engraving looks be done by hand and it has a beautiful piece of walnut for a stock

if you really want a serious estimate for the guns worth i would contact Parker and talk to them

beautiful shotgun btw
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: krout81 on December 10, 2010, 08:56:39 PM: Some for sale
http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search/Category/494/2/Guns/Shotguns/Parker-Shotguns.htm (http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search/Category/494/2/Guns/Shotguns/Parker-Shotguns.htm)

Detailed info
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/everygun/GunMfgCategoryDetail.aspx?id=1337 (http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/everygun/GunMfgCategoryDetail.aspx?id=1337)

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/everygun/GunMfgCategoryDetail.aspx?id=1335 (http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/everygun/GunMfgCategoryDetail.aspx?id=1335)
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: Rick on December 10, 2010, 09:08:25 PM: Quote from: shoot-em-dead on December 10, 2010, 06:37:47 PM
nice gun. Are you sure the barrel is a Damascus?

Thats what I was thinking. The barrel looks more engraved than damascus to me.
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: bak2huntn on December 10, 2010, 09:24:30 PM: Research/Research! do not sell it pass it on.I remember my dad taking in a 25.20 trappers in the 70's to replace a missing screw , the gun smith said take your pick anything on the wall ?Luckily he rememered his dad gave it to my mom and she owned it . that little gun killed alot of South Dakota deer , coyotes ,squirels basicly kept us fed also the same with 45/70 he has, worth alot of money but a fmily heirloom with lots of stories behind them,I think myself and three bros. first deer were taken with the 25/20.Legal?maybe? but it was shoot what you eat & eat what you shoot!The good old days,IMHO
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: Ellensburg on December 10, 2010, 10:09:22 PM: Not planning on selling it 8)

Im pretty sure they are damascus barrels. Looks like little swirlys down the entire barrel. There are so many different guns made by parker during that era that I still don't have a price estimate on it :(.
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: quadrafire on December 10, 2010, 10:14:03 PM: Thats a beaut!
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: denali on December 10, 2010, 10:17:17 PM: Wow very cool Eburg 8)
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: WDFW-SUX on December 11, 2010, 09:18:31 AM: THat website I posted will help you price it out if you post up some info in there forum..

Can wait to see the value on it... Id be shocked if its in the H&H/purdey price range but you never know :dunno:
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: mebco09 on December 12, 2010, 08:42:42 PM: Yes, those are damascus barrels. You could shoot it, but do some research first-chamber length will not be 2 3/4 (unless changed), smokeless powder will probably generate too much pressure. I wouldn't shoot it. I have later fluid steel Parkers that I will shoot, but the damascus barrels are for wall hangers.

As far as the condition and grade, I am a little confused, the markings on the gun show DH grade (grade 3 and a "D"), but the engraving is that of a GH, one grade lower. This may be a factory mismark. Also, looks like the receiver might have been polished at some time. There does appear to be some case colors remaining around the top lever and under the barrels, maybe 10-20%.

Here is a couple of questions:

what kind of butt plate?
Does it have a pistol grip cap?

It looks to me like it might be a replacement stock, does it match the forearm? Still looks good though. However, originality is the key to value.

If original, with un-altered stock and "G" grade, retail would be around $3,000. Probably $2,500 on consignment? They do take a while to sell.

Don't hold me to this though......
Title: Re: Need Help putting a $$$ on an 1890 Parker Bros Shotty
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on December 13, 2010, 06:00:57 AM: Send your pics and all markings to Rock Island Auctions. they will appraise it for you for free. And tell you what you can expect to get from one of there collector auctions.

Heres a couple pics of my 1853 Kuchenreuter side by side Damascus. My Wall hanger!