Make: Parker Brothers
Model: TI3 (DH Grade / Grade 3) Live Bird Gun
Serial Number: 120984 (matching numbered parts)
Year of Manufacture: 1903 / ATF Classification: C&R
Caliber/Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 5/8" chambers
Action Type: Top break, hammerless, side by side, non-selective single trigger conversion, extractor, no safety
Choke Constrictions: Left: .035", Right: .035", Both Fixed
Barrel Length: 30"
Sights/Optics: There is a white bead atop the concave rib.
Weight: 7 lb., 15.8 oz.
Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The refinished furniture is checkered wood with a straight wrist grip, straight comb, and an engraved metal buttplate that protects the edges of the bare checkered wood butt. An initial plate is set into the belly of the stock, the initials are not legible The furniture shows some pressure dings and drag lines, mostly located on the forend. There are some minor blemishes in the current finish when it was applied. The checkering is semi-smooth, but still well defined. There is a faint crack running from the upper tang. The LOP measures about 13 5/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The drop at comb is about 1 1/4" and the drop at the heel is about 1 3/8". The buttplate has only light handling wear. Overall, the furniture rates in Very Good Plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & case colored
Finish Originality: Original with some cold blue touchup on the barrel
Bore Condition: The bores are semi-bright with light streaking. There is light erosion in both bores. The right bore shows minor denting. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 7.5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 50% of its metal finish. The barrel set shows scattered rub marks and increasing amounts of thinning towards the receiver. The barrel set has spots of cold blue touchup. The receiver case color is mostly gone with general handling marks present on the bare steel. The action shows fairly light operational wear. The screw heads show little to no tooling and retain turnable slots. The markings/engravings are clear and complete. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, but the trigger return spring is a bit weak. A non-selective single trigger conversion is installed. The barrels lock to the receiver with light play. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Parker Brothers DH Grade, also known as the Grade 3, was one of Parker’s higher-grade hammerless sporting guns and combined substantial hand engraving, upgraded wood, and finer fitting with the company’s distinctive hammerless action. The Grade 3 had been part of Parker’s line since the 19th century, and by the period this gun was made, Titanic Steel barrels were a common Grade 3 option. This matching-numbered 12 Gauge example has many characteristics associated with period Live Bird competition guns: 30" barrels, a straight-grip stock, substantial nearly eight-pound weight, tight .035"/.035" choke constrictions, and no safety. The currently installed non-selective single trigger is a later conversion rather than an original 1903 Parker single-trigger feature; Parker’s own single-trigger option was introduced considerably later.
This shotgun retains about 50% of its original metal finish, with scattered rub marks and increasing thinning toward the breech on the 30" barrel set, along with localized cold-blue touchup. Most of the receiver’s original case color has faded, leaving generally worn bare steel with scattered handling marks, while the action shows relatively light operational wear. The refinished straight-grip furniture remains in Very Good Plus condition with scattered pressure dings and drag lines, mostly on the forend, semi-smoothed but still defined checkering, and a faint crack extending from the upper tang. The bores are semi-bright with light streaking and light erosion, and the right bore shows minor denting, rating 7.5/10 overall. The action functions correctly, though the replacement/conversion single trigger has a somewhat weak return spring, and the barrels lock to the receiver with light play. The matching-numbered parts, DH/Grade 3 configuration, long tightly choked barrels, straight grip, and no-safety arrangement give this well-used Parker considerable period sporting character. Overall, this shotgun rates in Very Good condition. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!
