Parker Brothers Lifter Grade 2 10 Gauge SxS, 32 in Damascus, 1886 Antique Underlever Hammer Gun, Numbers-Matching
This 1886 Parker Brothers Lifter Grade 2 (Quality 2) is an American-made, numbers-matching 10 gauge side-by-side with 32-inch Damascus barrels built for black-powder loads. It features the lifter underlever action with external hammers, double triggers, extractor (non-ejector), factory light scroll engraving, and a matted rib with brass bead. Frame size is marked "2," and the patent legends are as follows: the watertable is marked "PAT'D MAR. 16, 1875"; the barrel flats and frame area are stamped "PAT'D APR. 11, 1876" and "PAT'D JUNE 25, 1878"; the forend metal bears the 1878 patent marking.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Specific Condition Notes: There is pitting, scuffing, and dings consistent with age and use. The steel dog's-head buttplate is broken and missing a piece, and the grip cap is also missing a piece. The barrels show several dents. The firing pins appear good. There is very slight right-hand cast-off.
What’s Included
- Parker Brothers Lifter Grade 2 (Quality 2) 10 Gauge side-by-side shotgun
This lifter-underlever hammer double is a classic Parker configuration from the 1880s, combining external hammers and double triggers with an extractor (non-ejector) system. The action type is smooth and familiar to Parker enthusiasts, and the gun is built on the "2" frame size appropriate to 10 gauge.
The 32-inch Damascus steel barrels have a matted top rib with a brass bead and are intended for use with black-powder loads. The rib treatment and bead provide a traditional sighting plane suited to the era. The barrels, receiver, and forend iron are numbers matching.
Light factory scroll engraving accents the lockplates and frame borders, and the watertable is marked "PAT'D MAR. 16, 1875," while the barrel flats and frame area are stamped "PAT'D APR. 11, 1876" and "PAT'D JUNE 25, 1878." The forend metal bears the 1878 patent marking. These markings, together with the Grade 2 designation, place the gun squarely in Parker’s period craftsmanship of the 1880s.
The walnut pistol-grip stock has a checkered wrist and inlaid wrist shield, paired with a walnut splinter forend that bears the 1878 patent marking. A steel dog's-head buttplate with the "PARKER BROS. MERIDEN, CT" legend is fitted, and the length of pull measures 14.25 inches. Stock geometry shows very slight right-hand cast-off.