See this week’s 5 doubles you don’t want to miss …

The finest Parker Bros. AH 10ga extant! Near mint all original lightweight gun made on a #2 Frame with orig 30" barrels - appears test fired only
The finest Parker Bros. AH 10ga extant! Near mint all original lightweight gun made on a #2 Frame with orig 30″ barrels – appears test fired only

The finest Parker Bros. AH 10ga extant! Near mint all original lightweight gun made on a #2 Frame with orig 30″ barrels – appears test fired only:  One of just 14 made in this configuration – this rare early gun made on a #2 frame (very rare in 10ga) with 30″ Finest Damascus barrels.  This gun, made in 1890, was the highest grade gun made at the time and was made with original splinter forend, double triggers, extractors, and beautifully engraved skeleton buttplate.  This gun is absolutely 100% full coverage engraved, most certainly by W.H. Gough, and perhaps a detailed inspection will unveil his occasionally found and very elusive signature.  The gun is engraved with no less than 3 dogs on the bottom of the frame and 4 birds in a scene on the trigger plate, two more towards forend, two dogs on trigger guard bow with full scroll engraving, double dogs on right side with serpentine “PARKER BROS.” surrounded by full scroll, dog scenes on each of the breech balls, and double dogs on left, again with serpentine makers name surrounded by full scroll engraving.  The gun has its original engraved and blued skeleton buttplate.  Stocked with incredible straight grained European Walnut stocks which are beautifully checkered as seen in the photos.  All stampings are factory correct and original in every respect. This gun remains in spectacular original condition- nearly unheard of for one of these early guns.  The gun retains more than 95% bold vivid original case color throughout.  Stocks are excellent and sound with virtually all of their original hand rubbed finish with only minor handling marks throughout.  Trigger guard retains more than 80% original blue.  The buttplate retains more than 60% of its original high luster blue.  The breechface shows almost no signs of a shell ring from firing.  The barrels retain about 95% of their dark bold original pattern with only minor spotting towards the right breech as seen in the photos.  Bores are brilliant and shiny and the mechanics are crisp.  This gun matches it’s PGCA letter as seen in the photos. This exceptional “Best in Class” Parker is priced at $47,500 and can be shipped directly to your door as an antique.  If you desire the very best – look no further – this is it.  This gun is as fresh as a spring daisy having never been offered for sale publicly.
Price: $47,500

Parker Brothers BH 12g SxS Shotgun
Parker Brothers BH 12g SxS Shotgun

Parker Brothers BH 12g SxS Shotgun: 1898 BH 12 ga. with Fine DD  Damascus barrels…may have been redone because the pattern is fantastic.Double triggers, Straight stock with gold oval, good checkering. does have some handling marks…scratches dents etc. nothing major. bores are great chambers are 2 5/8″. lockes up tight as a drum. Have Parker letter for it. Mathces except for weight …letters at 8 lbs even…scales 7lbs 14 1/2oz…pretty close. Ready to hit the field. Antique: Yes, Shotgun Gauge: 12 Gauge, Model: BH, Serial Number: 88661 Barrel Length: 30″, Chambers: 2 5/8″, Condition: Original, Metal Condition: Good, Wood Condition: a few handling marks, Bore Condition: clean, Barrel Type: Fine Damascus, Action: Hammerless Top Lever, Triggers: Double Stock: English, Stock Drop: 2 1/2″ at heel, Fore End: Splinter, Butt Pad: Skeleton, LOP: 14 1/4″, Weight: 7lbs 14.5oz, Sights: Single steel, Manufacture Date: 1898, Choke Left: Full, Choke Right: Full Engraving: Excellent. Price: $9500

ORVIS CUSTOM UPLANDER 28G SIDELOCK SPANISH-MADE SXS
ORVIS CUSTOM UPLANDER 28G SIDELOCK SPANISH-MADE SXS

ORVIS CUSTOM UPLANDER 28G SIDELOCK SPANISH-MADE SXS: Clean gun with some very light handlng marks. Model: Orvis Uplander, Caliber Info: 28 Gauge, Ejectors: Yes Condition: Preowned, Metal Condition: Very Good, Barrels: 28″ Action: Sidelock, Triggers: Double, Gauge: 28 Gauge, Stock Comb: 1 1/4″ Stock Heel: 2″ Stock Cast: Off Fore End: Checkered LOP: 14 1/2 Rib: Flat File Cut Weight: 6.000000 Chokes: IC/M Case: No Price: $3,500

JP SAUER BLE 16G SxS GERMAN SHOTGUN
JP SAUER BLE 16G SxS GERMAN SHOTGUN

JP SAUER BLE 16G SxS GERMAN SHOTGUN: Solid gun with some loss of blue on the barrels. Model: Boxlock Ejector, Caliber Info: 16 Gauge, Ejectors: Yes, Condition: Preowned Metal Condition: Good, Barrels: 28″, Action: Boxlock, Triggers: Double, Gauge: 16 Gauge, Stock Comb: 1 1/2″, Stock Heel: 2 3/4″, Stock Cast: Off, Fore End: Checkered, LOP: 14 1/8″, Rib: Concave, Weight: 6.600000. Chokes: IM/IM. Price: $3,500

Francotte 18E Straight Grip Boxlock Ejector 12 gauge Grouse gun
Francotte 18E Straight Grip Boxlock Ejector 12 gauge Grouse gun

Francotte 18E Straight Grip Boxlock Ejector 12 gauge Grouse gun: This is a beautifully engraved, light and lively Francotte bird gun with 26″ barrels that are choked IC/Light Mod with 2-3/4″ chambers.  It is light enough that it can be carried all day at just 6 ounds 4 ounces. This is a great woodcock, quail, grouse and skeet gun with handling that will allow you to be successful on any outing that you choose. The radial matting on the barrels is quite attractive and provides a glare free sighting plane to a period ivory end bead. It is in good cosmetic and mechanical condition with ejectors that kick the empties well out of the way for quick reloading. It is a pre-war gun and exhibits the quality of items made when craftsmen were truly capable of fine work. The checkered side panels must be 35 lines per inch or more and the stock and forend checkering is very fine as well. The drop at the comb is 1-5/8″ and the drop at the heel is a mere 2″ and the length of pull is 14-1/4″ to a factory black plastic butt plate. Price: $2395

Wow! What a Parker: 20g BHE, 32″ bbls, straight grip…

Parker BHE SxS 20 gauge 32" barrels, Straight Grip
Parker BHE SxS 20 gauge 32″ barrels, Straight Grip

If you’re a Parker fanatic with deep pockets, grab your check book. Here’s a super rare one, and even though it’s 100 years old, it looks like this side-by-side remains in incredible original condition.

According to the Parker collector’s site, Parker Bros made just over 1,000 BH-grades (which are Quality Bs without hammers — BH). I imagine very, very few of those were 20 gauges with 32″ barrels, ejectors (the E in BHE) and straight grips.

Parker BHE SxS 20 gauge 32" barrels, Straight Grip
Parker BHE SxS 20 gauge 32″ barrels, Straight Grip

Parker BHE SxS 20 gauge 32″ barrelsVery rare, highly collectable 1916 Parker BHE (serial #174053) with straight stock and 32″ barrels. This Parker remains in high original condition with very good stock, B engraved receiver and Acme steel barrels. It is apparent that this shotgun has likely spent a lot of it’s 100 year old life tucked away in someone’s safe, leg-o-mutton gun case or closet. Shotguns of this quality rarely come up for as they are usually socked away in someone’s collection for many years and then passed on to family members, never to be seen by the general public. The consignor, after only a brief ownership, brought this Parker to me with hopes of alleviating homefront tensions. This little SxS features a straight stock, 32″ barrels with shiney bores, ejectors (which work with authority), “0” frame and double triggers. All desireable options for any SxS, but especially a high grade Parker. LOP is at 13 7/8″, DAC is 1 1/2″, DAH is 2 3/4″ and it weighs in at 6 lb 8 oz. Both bores measure .618 with .018 constriction on the right barrel and .024 on the left. Lock up is Parker tight and there is no movement between the barrels and the receiver with the forearm off. This is a seldom seen opportunity to own a high grade Parker. Also included with this Parker is the original leg-o-mutton case that A.T. DeForest bought for it. Price: P.O.R.

Parker BHE SxS 20 gauge 32" barrels, Straight Grip
Parker BHE SxS 20 gauge 32″ barrels, Straight Grip

Manufacturer: Parker
Model: BHE
Serial Number: 174053
Ejectors: yes
Metal Condition: very good
Wood Condition: verygood
Bore Condition: shiney
Barrels: 32 inch
Barrel Type: SxS
Action: boxlock

Parker BHE SxS 20 gauge 32" barrels, Straight Grip
Parker BHE SxS 20 gauge 32″ barrels, Straight Grip

Triggers: double
Gauge: 20
Stock: straight
Stock Comb: 1 1/2″
Stock Heel: 2 3/4″
LOP: 13 7/8″
Rib: solid
Weight: 6 lb 8 oz
Sights: single bead
Manufacture Date: 1916
Choke Left: full
Choke Right: mod
Engraving: B engraving

Parker BHE SxS 20 gauge 32" barrels, Straight Grip
Parker BHE SxS 20 gauge 32″ barrels, Straight Grip

Extras: Hard to find
Case: old leg-o-mutton

Even rarer – a 16 gauge Parker Bros. BHE double barrel shotgun…

16 gauge Parker BHE Double Barrel Shotgun, Damascus Steel Bbls
16 gauge Parker BHE Double Barrel Shotgun, Damascus Steel Bbls

The 16 Parker DHE I wrote about this AM is a tough gun to find. But the Parker you see here is even harder to track down. It’s  a 16g BHE.

According to the Parker Gun Collector’s Association, the Parker company made just 1,034 B- grade hammerless shotguns. Of those, I bet very few came with in 16 gauge a straight, ejectors, shootable dimensions, and 28″ damascus barrels, like this one.

Called “Hansome and Durable” by Parker Bros, B grades were the fifth grade from the top (Invincible, A1-Special, AAH, AH, BH) and always custom made. They came standard with Circassian walnut stocks and they featured checkered side panels with fancy fleur-de-lis drop points.

16 gauge Parker BHE Double Barrel Shotgun, Damascus Steel Bbls
16 gauge Parker BHE Double Barrel Shotgun, Damascus Steel Bbls

Here’s more about the gun from the seller:

Parker BHE, 16 ga, 28″, Double Barrel SxS Shotgun: #208XXX, 28” Damascus bbls, 2 9/16 ” chambers, IM/M chokes. Lop: 14 5/8 ” LOP, 2 5/8 ” DOH, Skeleton buttplate, 6 lbs, 12 oz. Made in 1924. Stock: Original finish. Metal: Original finish, Concave File Cut rib. Price: $35,000

BTW: If you’ve ever wondered about the strength of damascus steel barrels, make note that this gun was made in 1924 – well after nitro powders had become the standard in the industry.

16 gauge Parker BHE Double Barrel Shotgun, Damascus Steel Bbls
16 gauge Parker BHE Double Barrel Shotgun, Damascus Steel Bbls
16 gauge Parker BHE Double Barrel Shotgun, Damascus Steel Bbls
16 gauge Parker BHE Double Barrel Shotgun, Damascus Steel Bbls
16 gauge Parker BHE Double Barrel Shotgun, Damascus Steel Bbls
16 gauge Parker BHE Double Barrel Shotgun, Damascus Steel Bbls

Parkers, but not the plain ones…

Parker double barrels are the most collectible shotguns in America for a number of reasons, the biggest one being their ubiquity. Parkers are common guns. But what you don’t see very often are the upper grades with straight grips and original condition. That’s why these two caught my eye.

Parker 16g CH grade double barrel shotgun
Parker 16g CH grade double barrel shotgun

This first gun is a 16g CH grade with 30″ bbls. It’s a pretty clean looking gun on an unusual frame for a sixteen (a 1 1/2). I do have my doubts about the beavertail forend, though. I’m not sure it’s original. Parker made just 1673 hammerless CH grades. Most of those are probably 12s, so a 16 has to be pretty unusual. Add in the original straight grip, and you’re looking at a very scarce gun.

The second I noticed is this 12g BH. Parker made just 1034 side-by-sides in BH grade, so this is another hard-to-find double. This one has 30″ barrels and no safety, which makes it pretty cool.

 

Auction Alert — BH? CH? Parker, 4/26…

Parker double barrel shotgun
Parker double barrel shotgun

OK, here’s Parker double barrel shotgun that’s not for beginners. It’s coming up tomorrow at Bill Hood and Sons Art & Antique Auctions in Delray Beach, FL. I’m not sure if it’s a BH or a CH grade, or if it’s a 12 gauge or something else. It looks like it have characteristics of each grade, and the pics are too lousy to know for sure. Here’s what the auctioneer told me about it:

“Lot 232.  the shot gun with the barrel that it attached  Is serial #90681 and is 22”long.   The extra barrel is ss# 99135 and is 26”long.  the gun has a few issues . The plate on the but end that says parker is broken and piece is missing. All so some minor rust, also where the barrel meets the wood above the trigger area there seems to be two holes that have been filled that’s on either side of the lever that opens the barrel.”

They have the gun listed as a 12 gauge and the extra barrels as 20 gauges. Overall, it’s  very buyer beware.

Parker double barrel shotgun
Parker double barrel shotgun

 

 

 

 

Auction Alert: Parkers, Fox, LC Smiths, Francottes…

Some nice double barrel shotguns coming to auction. Check them out:

Parker CH 10g @ Sacor River Auctions
Parker CH 10g @ Sacor River Auctions

-Saco River Auctions, Biddeford, ME, 10/23 @ 4pm

A nice and rare Parker CH 10 gauge double barrel shotgun

Marquis Auctions, Earlville, NY, 10/23, 6pm

An interesting looking Euro double. Pics here and here.

Redding Auctions, Gettysburg, PA, Sunday, 10/24 @ 9am

Lots of good guns, including a couple 12g Fox A grades, several  L.C. Smiths (including a Trap grade) and a handful of Parker, including a GH with an original strengthing rod in the buttstock.

Cottone Auctions, Geneseo, NY, Friday, 11/ 5th @ noon

A nice looking 12 gauge Parker BHE double barrel shotgun

20 gauge Francotte at Thomaston Place
20 gauge Francotte at Thomaston Place

-Thomaston Place Auction Gallery, Thomaston, ME, Saturday, 11/6 @ 11am

Several nice guns, including this and this Francotte double barrel and this 12 gauge Parker DHE shotgun. The Parker may be an original Skeet Gun. Lots of Winchesters, too. You can see all the firearms here.