Make: Parker Brothers

Model: (Plain Twist) Grade Hammer Gun

Serial#: 7278

Year of Manufacture: 1876

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 5/8"

Choke: Left: Cylinder Bore, Right: Cylinder Bore, both Fixed

Action Type: Side by Side, Lifter-Opened, External Hammer, Double Trigger Shotgun with Extractor

Markings: The top of the barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROS” MAKERS” MERIDEN. CONN PLAIN TWIST””. The bottom of the right barrel is marked “T” and on the flat with “5 12”. The left of the barrel lug is marked “T3832”, the rear face of the lug is marked “7278”. The forend iron is marked “7278”, the wedge is marked “278”. The water table is marked “7278”. Each lockplate has “PARKER BROS””. The bottom tang is marked “7278”. The trigger plate is marked PATD NOV. 18. 1866 / “ MAR.23.1875″.

Barrel Length: 32”

Sights/ Optics: There is a silver-colored post at the front of the rib.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with steel-tip splinter forend, barrel wedge, capped pistol grip, straight comb, and steel buttplate. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The buttstock is split on both sides at the buttplate. The LOP measures 14 3/8″ and 13 1/2″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has been polished to white with some scattered nicks and minor surface erosion. Drop at comb is approximately 2”, drop at heel 3”. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Browned & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are gray. There is scattered light erosion in the bores. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 6 or 7 out of 10.

Overall Condition: The shotgun retains about 5% of its metal finish. The remaining finish is mostly on the interior of the forend iron. Other surfaces have turned to a dark patina.. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this shotgun is in Good-plus condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel locks to the frame with no play. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This particularly early Parker Brothers Under-Lifter Hammer gun comes to us from all the way back in 1876, just two years after their initial production. The earliest guns had an interesting mechanism with a release lifter on the bottom of the receiver paired with twist steel barrels and exposed hammers. For a 150 year old gun, this example is in shockingly good shape, retaining original finish and in its original configuration. The gun shows some honest wear, with some minor dents in otherwise quite good bores being the most notable defects. The overall condition of the gun and its quite early production would make it a great addition to any collection, especially an avid Parker collector.

Print Catalog Description: This Parker Brothers Under-Lifter Hammer Gun, Serial Number: 7278, was made in 1876. It is chambered in 12 Gauge (2 5/8"), with 32” barrels. The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut, featuring a steel-tip splinter forend secured by a barrel wedge, capped pistol grip, straight comb, and steel buttplate; the stocks rate Good as Antique condition, displaying scattered nicks, dings, scratches, and splits on both sides at the buttplate. The Browned & Case Colored finish is Original, with approximately 5% retained, mostly within protected areas. Overall condition is Good-plus as Antique, exhibiting a dark patina with operational wear and clearly legible markings. The bores rate approximately 6-7/10. Action functions properly. This Parker Brothers Under-Lifter represents a historically significant early production shotgun from one of America's most esteemed manufacturers. With its distinctive lifter-operated action, exposed hammers, and plain twist barrels, it provides collectors with a valuable glimpse into shotgun technology of the late 19th century. Despite modest cosmetic wear consistent with age, this antique shotgun remains mechanically sound, offering substantial appeal to collectors and enthusiasts of classic American firearms, particularly early Parker shotguns.