In House Shipping:
Make: Parker Brothers
Model: Under-Lifter Hammer Gun, D2 "$85 Grade"
Serial Number: 18034
Year of Manufacture: 1880
Gauge: 10 Gauge, 2 5/8”, Black Powder Only
Action Type: Side by Side, Lifter-Opened, External Hammer, Double Trigger Shotgun with Extractor
Barrel Length: 30"
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead at the front of the rib.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, pistol grip, straight comb and smooth steel buttplate. The forend has a triangular metal inlay at the tip. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a long repaired chip at the front of the forend to the right of the steel tip. There are some thin cracks around the front edges of the wrist. There are some small losses around the edges, most notable along the top edges of the forend. The checkering has been chased or re-cut, it is generally well defined. The LOP measures 14" and 13 1/8" from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with scattered minor erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Browned Damascus & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts match.
Bore Condition: The bores are gray with scattered erosion and pitting. In this writer's opinion, the bores rate 5 or 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 5% of its metal finish. The surfaces have mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is some muted case color in protected areas, mostly on the top of the forend iron. The barrels have generally good damascus patterning. There are some scattered nicks and scratches. There are spots of oxidation and minor erosion. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots, the left hammer screw has been replaced. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock up to the receiver with no play. The shotgun features dual triggers and an extractor. The action is opened using a lifter on the bottom of the receiver in front of the guard. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a Parker Collectors Association letter indicating that this shotgunw as ordered by J. Palmer O'Neil & Co. of Pittsburgh, PA on July 29, 1880 and shipped August 5, 1880.
Our Assessment: This Parker Brothers Under-Lifter Hammer gun comes to us from all the way back in 1880, fairly early in Parker production. The earliest guns had an interesting mechanism with a release lifter on the bottom of the receiver paired with damascus steel barrels and exposed hammers. For a gun nearly 150 years old, this example is in quite good shape mechanically, still locking up tight. It is a 10 Gauge grade 2 with some scroll engraving on the receiver. Its 30" damascus barrels, pistol grip and under-lifter action are all noted in Parker's original records and the serialized parts are all matching, so it's a nice find for Parker collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!