Parker, sn102858,1901,12ga, 8lbs.1oz., Chokes IM/XF, LOP 14 3/4"
The BH Grade guns were custom ordered, and there were many variations in engraving and features. This is the first grade of Parker to have beaded fences, hand filed meticulously into the frame, a feature found on the best London guns. The scroll engraving has significantly more coverage and a finer, more deliberate hand, with more elaborate borders. The wood and checkering received great attention from the factory masters, nicely adorned with checkered side panels and fleur-de-lis style drop points. Low in numbers with 427 BH Grade guns produced in 12ga. with fluid steel barrels, only 129 of them the most desirable 32” length. This BH Parker built on a #2 frame, sn102858 made in 1901, is a grand example, having been restored in 1947 at the Remington facility responsible for servicing Parker guns. WITH NO FACTORY DOCUMENTATION OF THIS HAVING OCCURRED, HOW CAN I MAKE SUCH A STATEMENT. Good question. I have been studying Parker guns and their history for over 3 decades and am considered one of the foremost authorities in the vintage American double gun industry. This gun has a Remington date code stamped into the barrels, RSS3, indicating a return to Remington for repair or other work in 1947. The gun shows nearly 100% finishes on the metal and wood, the engraving is sharp and clear, bores are superb, and the gun has a factory beavertail forend on its original 32” barrels…something not available in 1901. Of course, most Parker guys are familiar with Larry Del Grego Sr., the last Parker service person at Remington, who left and started his own Parker repair business around 1952. Larry Del Grego and Sons added beavertail forends to existing Parker gun in large numbers over time, BUT THEY NEVER CHANGED THE FOREND LUG FROM A TWO-PIECE LUG UTILIZED FOR SPLINTER FORENDS TO THE ONE PIECE REINFORCED LUGS PARKER USED FOR FACTORY BEAVERTAIL THIS GUN HAS THE ONE PIECE REINFORCED FOREND LUG. The shaping and the checkering of the beavertail is precisely Parker as well. The case color on the action and forend iron are cyanide case color, the only process Remington used in 1947, having abandoned the bone and charcoal process after WWII. I can tell you that there is no doubt in my mind all this work was done by the Remington/Parker factory. Everything on this gun is 99%++ regarding condition, with perfect bores, screws, wood-to-metal fit, checkering, barrel and trigger guard blue, and mechanics. The 32” Titanic Steel barrels with double ivory beads are tight as new on the breech face with the lever well right of center, and there are no repairs or cracks in the wood. There is some crazing in the wood finish that is hard to see in the photos but is there. VFI can restore the wood for you if you choose. The gun has been faithfully restored to as new condition and ready for another 123 years of service. The gun comes with a Parker Gun Collectors Association letter documenting the features of this gun. If you have been following the vintage American double shotgun market for long you will realize that properly restored guns are very much in demand, making this a great investment quality double gun that will continue to increase in value as you enjoy it’s use. Thanks for looking.
Barrels: 32"
Chokes: .034/.046 IM/XF
Bores: mirror
Bore Diam: .735/.734
Wall Thickness: .026/.027
% Blue: 99% factory reblue
Chambers: 2 3/4"
Ribs: tight
Sights: double ivory
Action: Way Right of Center
Extractors
Receiver: 99% factory restored
Screws: excellent
Engraving: sharp, clear
Trigger: Double-crisp
Trigger Guard: 99% charcoal blue
Stock: Capped Pistol Grip/Remington beavertail
LOP: 14 3/4"
LOP To End Of Wood: 13 1/2"
DAH: 2 1/8"
DAC: 1 5/8"
Cast: T1/8" off
Checkering: superb
Butt: Whippet pad
