We have a 1922 Parker Bros 12 gauge shotgun. Serial #199078, grade 4 CHE, frame size 2, hammerless, Acme steel 30' barrels. Capped pistol grip. LoP- 14 3/4 DaH- 2 5/8 Weight- 7 pounds, 10 ounces. Husband had his neck fused so is no longer firing shotguns. I am having a hard time finding a value for this. The top of the forend bracket has the serial number and the lever is marked “PAT’D MAR. The flanks of the frame are marked “PARKER BROS”, with open scroll engraving and game scenes. The water table is marked with the serial number “2” and “G”, it is also marked “PAT’D JAN. Shotgun production was moved to Remington’s headquarters, in Ilion, New York, and, beginning with Serial Number 236,531, continued on a limited scale until America’s entry into World War II, when Remington ceased civilian-arms manufacture to focus on wartime production.
By Thomas E. Wessel
In 1832 Charles Parker of Meriden, Conn., organized the Parker Co. to make coffee mills and subsequently bench vises. In 1860 the firm was reorganized to become Parker, Snow, Brooks & Co. On Sept. 28. 1863. the firm signed a contract with the government to make 15.000 Model 1861rifled muskets at $19 each. This contract was fulfilled. Upon termination of the Civil War. Charles Parker became president of the Meriden Mfg. Co.. which position he held until 1868 when the firm of Parker Brothers was organized.
Their first shotgun was made in 1868 and was known as the 'Parker Brothers'. Of hammer type, it featured a lifter bolting device, and the fore-end was attached to the barrels with a cross-key. In 1879 an improved fore-end assembly based on the Deeley & Edge system was made standard. A hammerless lock was adopted in 1889, with automatic ejectors first offered in 1902. The Parker single trigger was introduced in 1922.
On June I. 1934, the assets of the Parker firm were purchased by Remington Arms Co., Inc.. but with the advent of World War II production of Parker shotguns was discontinued and was not resumed with the coming of peace.
The Parker shotgun was essentially machine made, although much hand-fitting was involved in its production. Forgings were machined slightly oversize and then hand fitted by filing and scraping. Reputation of the Parker shotgun was founded on uniformly excellent quality and durability as well as fine balance and handling qualities. Parkers were offered in several grades, and all but the cheapest Trojan grade could be ordered built to customers' specifications. Regardless of price, the Parker shotgun justly earned its title of 'Old Reliable'.
not shown stock 31
1 Commence disassembly by removing fore-end assembly and barrels (1). Remove guard bow screw (67) and rear tang screw (65). Unscrew guard bow (66) and remove 3 trigger plate screws (57, arrows). Turn gun right side up and push top-lever (16) to right. Remove front tang screw (30)
2 Tap out trigger plate (58) and attached assembly. Use a small wood dowel inserted into forward part of receiver (28) and just in front of cocking crank (17) where a portion of the foremost surface of trigger plate may be seen. Lift trigger plate assembly away, while lifting out cocking slide (46). Trip (41) and its internal assembly will also drop out. Trip sears (44 & 45), drift out sear pin (40), and remove sears. This will permit removal of stock
3 Continue (A) by removing top-lever retaining screw (29). Using a piece of cotton waste for padding, place thumb against top-lever spring shell (13) and fingers against face of receiver. Pry shell away from tang at (B) using a small screwdriver or hardwood wedge. Withdraw top-lever spring shell, spring (14), and plunger (15). Top-lever (16) may now be lifted out. and bolt (38) withdrawn rearward from receiver
4 Next, remove hammer fastening screws (22) and hammer screws (23). Hammers (49 & 50), hammer stirrups (51), mainspring plungers (48), and mainsprings (47) will drop out. It is best to hold a large cloth at rear of receiver while doing this to prevent loss of parts which arc under spring tension
5 Remove (A) unhooking slide screw (56) and withdraw unhooking slide (62) and assembly from front end of trigger plate. (B) Remove trigger spring screw (61) and trigger spring (60). Drift out trigger pin (53) and remove triggers (54 & 55)
6 Remove extractor screw (9) and slide extractor out and away rearward. Remove cocking link screw (6) and cocking link (3). link spring pin (4), and link spring (5). Removal of extractor or cocking link is not dependent on prior removal of one or the other. Reassemble in reverse sequence ■
1. Barrels
2. Front sight
3. Cocking link
4. Cocking link spring pin
5. Cocking link spring
6. Cocking link screw
7. Bolt plate
8. Bolt plate retaining pin
9. Extractor screw
10. Extractor
11. Buttplate
12. Buttplate screw (2)
13. Top-lever spring shell
14. Top-lever spring
15. Top-lever spring plunger
16. Top-lever
17. Cocking crank
18. Joint pin screw
19. Joint pin
20. Cocking crank pin stop screw (2)
21. Cocking crank pin
22. Hammer fastening screw (2)
23. Hammer screw (2)
24. Unhooking pin screw
25. Joint roll
26. Unhooking pin spring
Parts Legend
27. Unhooking j5in
28. Receiver
29. Top-lever retaining screw
30. Tang screw, front
31. Safety slide pin
32. Safety slide
33. Safety slide spring
34. Safety lever jacket
35. Safety lever pin
36. Safety lever
37. Safety pin
38. Bolt
39. Sear spring
40. Sear pin
41. Trip
42. Trip spring
43. Trip spring plunger
44. Sear, left
45. Sear, right
46. Cocking slide
47. Mainspring (2)
48. Mainspring plunger (2)
49. Hammer, left
50. Hammer, right
51. Hammer stirrup (2)
52. Mainspring pin (2)
53. Trigger pin
54. Trigger, left
55. Trigger, right
56. Unhooking slide screw
57. Trigger plate screw (3)
58. Trigger plate
59. Tang screw sleeve
60. Trigger spring
61. Trigger spring screw
62. Unhooking slide
63. Unhooking slide spring
64. Unhooking slide plunger
65. Tang screw, rear
![Parker brothers shotguns serial numbers lookup Parker brothers shotguns serial numbers lookup](/uploads/1/2/4/8/124829205/548596406.jpg)
66. Guard bow
67. Guard bow screw
68. Fore-end
69. Fore-end iron
70. Fore-end plunger box pin
71. Fore-end screw (2)
72. Fore-end plunger box
73. Fore-end plunger spring
74. Fore-end plunger
75. Fore-end plunger roll
76. Fore-end plunger roll pin
Remington Models 8 & 81 Autoloading Rifles
By James M. Triggs
The Remington Model 81 Woods-master autoloading rifle was produced from 1936 until 1950. Except for minor differences, it is mechanically identical to the Remington Model 8 5-shot autoloading rifle produced from 1906 until 1936. Design of the Model 8 rifle was based on U. S. Patent No. 659,786 granted Oct. 16, 1900 to John M. Browning. It was the first successful high power autoloading rifle produced in America. Manufacturing and sales rights were sold to Remington.
The Model 8 rifle has a locked breech long-recoil action wherein the barrel, bolt, and bolt carrier assembly recoil several inches together so that the bullet has cleared the barrel before unlocking begins. The bolt has twin locking lugs which engage locking recesses within the barrel extension. The barrel, suspended in guide bushings, is surrounded by 2 heavy coil-type springs in turn covered by a sheet-metal jacket. These springs are compressed on rearward movement of the barrel bolt and bolt carrier assembly.
At the end of recoil the bolt carrier is locked into rear of the receiver. Energy of the compressed recoil spring then drives the barrel forward, which cams the bolt open to unlock it from the barrel extension. When the barrel extension reaches its forward position, it trips the barrel lock allowing the bolt mmmmmmmmm.
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American Side-by-Side Economy Shotguns: A.H. Fox Sterlingworth, Lefever Nitro Special, Parker Trojan, Savage/Fox Model B and Winchester Model 24
By Chuck Hawks
There seems to be a revival of interest in economical,American made, side-by-side shotguns, particularly those manufactured prior tothe Second World War. Interest in higher grade American shotguns has beenstrong for some time and now the less expensive models bearing the names of thenotable U.S. double gun companies seem to be getting increased attention.
These economy double guns were all built with hammerless boxlock actions and through-lump barrels. This is a satisfactory method of joiningthe barrels, but it produces a gun wider across the breech than the chopperlump, dovetail lump, or mono-block systems. Chokes were bored into the barrels;modern interchangeable choke tubes had not been invented. Standard grade walnutstocks, a Scott spindle top lever to open the action and top tang mountedsafeties are universal features.
A.H. Fox Sterlingworth
The Fox Sterlingworth was introduced in 1910 in 12 gaugeonly for $25.00. By 1912 the 20 gauge had been added and in 1913 a 16 gaugeappeared. The Sterlingworth was an economical, standardized, field gradedouble. Barrels were 26, 28 or 30 inches with Full/Full, Modified/Full orCylinder/Modified chokes and solid ribs. The receiver was color case hardened. Feweroptions were offered than for graded Fox guns and any deviation from thestandard specifications incurred an additional charge. However, Fox did offeroptions on the Sterlingworth unavailable on most of its competition. Availableat extra cost (depending on vintage and model) were such options as automatic ejectors, single trigger, custom stock dimensions, 32 inchbarrels, beavertail forend, Silver's recoil pad and even an extra set of barrels.
Externally, the lines of the Sterlingworth were similar tothat of the higher grade Fox doubles. The receiver and trigger guard even wore a bit of simpleborder engraving. Like the graded Fox guns, the Sterlingworth's light andcompact action made it (depending on gauge and barrel length, of course) a potentiallylight and handy field gun. The action was based on the same design andcontained the same parts as the more expensive Fox grades. Bolting is by atapered rotary top fastener and a large rib extension. The mainspring is adurable coil spring. Fox extractors extract properly and selective ejectorseject reliably. Even the optional selective single trigger was reliable.
Most Sterlingworths were supplied with standard grade Americanblack walnut, pistol grip stocks with three panel checkering.There was a black Bakelite pistol grip cap and butt plate. Like most economydoubles, the splinter forend was attached by a tension spring, rather than amechanical latch. However, in the Sterlingworth this was a coil spring drivinga bolt with a roller pinned to its front, a more durable and sophisticateddesign than other snap-on forend latches. In general, the Fox Sterlingworth wasa more sophisticated field grade gun with more optional and desirable featuresthan the other economy doubles. It was also the most attractive.
Parker Brothers Shotguns Serial Numbers
After Savage purchased Fox, they used an existing inventoryof Super Fox waterfowl frames and barrels to create the most unusualSterlingworth version, the Wildlife Grade of 1934. For $62.50 (a basicSterlingworth retailed for $39.50 in 1934), this approximately nine pound, 12gauge, Sterlingworth waterfowl gun came with 30 or 32 inch specially chokebarrels and three inch chambers. It was, in fact, a Super Fox without engraving(except the usual Sterlingworth border) or fancy wood, but it retained theSuper Fox Deeley type forend latch, instead of the usual Sterlingworth snap-onlatch. These Wildlife grade guns were offered until1940.
Another late Sterlingworth variation was the Skeet andUpland Game Gun, introduced in 1935 for $44.50. This was available in 12, 16 or20 gauge with 26 inch barrels and choked Skeet/Quarter (similar to WinchestersSkeet 1/Skeet 2 borings). A straight hand stock with a 14 inch length of pullwas standard, as were double triggers and extractors. Available options atextra cost included automatic ejectors, single selective trigger, beavertailforend, recoil pad and ivory bead sights. 12 gauge guns weighed about sevenpounds, 16 gauge guns weighed six pounds and 20 gauge skeet guns weighed only5-3/4 pounds.
Lefever Nitro Special
Ithaca acquired the Lefever ArmsCompany and in 1921 capitalized on the Lefever name by introducing the Nitro Special, a gun thatwas basically the forerunner of the famous Ithaca N.I.D. design.The Nitro Special action was entirely designed by Ithaca and bore noresemblance to any earlier Dan Lefever design. The original price of a NitroSpecial was $27.50. The Nitro Special, along with all Ithaca doubles, wasdiscontinued in 1948.
Parker Brothers Shotguns 1875
This was an economical field gradegun intended to compete in the marketplace at a price point below that of theIthaca brand guns. Unlike the Ithaca brand doubles, some of which wereavailable with showy engraving and checkering, the Lefever Nitro Special wasonly sold as a basic gun with a color case hardened receiver.
The reliable action is kept closedby a rib extension and top bolt and is powered by coil springs. Double triggers(although a single trigger could be had at extra cost) and plain extractorswere standard fare. Gauges were 12, 16 and 20. 12 gauge guns could be had with28 or 30 inch barrels, while the 16 and 20 gauge guns only came with 28 inchbarrels. Chokes were Modified/Full or Cylinder/Modified. In 1928, the .410 borewas added and supplied with 26 inch barrels.
The Nitro Special came with astandard grade, American black walnut stock built to standard dimensions anda black Bakelite butt plate. A rather limited three panel checkering patternwas scratched into the underside of the forend and both sides of the pistolgrip. The buttstock was attached by a drawbolt, making the wrist stronger thanmost double guns, in which the buttstock is attached by tang screws. The splinterforend was secured by spring tension, not a mechanical latch. Like mostclassic American doubles, the Nitro Special stock has a lot of drop by modern standards and thiscan be a problem for modern shooters.
Although a plain field gun, theNitro Special was built of good quality materials and designed for use withmodern ammunition. Many remain in service to this day. They are tough, wellmade and reliable guns. Aesthetically, I consider the Nitro Special clearlysuperior to the Winchester Model 24 and Savage/Fox Model B and only slightly inferior to the Parker Trojan. It is a low grade gun, but a good low grade gun.
Parker Trojan
Parker Brothers Double Barrel Identification
Introduced in 1915 and discontinued in 1939, the Trojan wasParker Bros. attempt to build a low priced, utility grade, double gun. Theinitial selling price was $27.50 and the gun remained the most affordableParker model throughout its production life. It became their most popular model, eventually accounting for some 40% of the Company's sales with a total ofaround 48,000 Trojan guns built.
Externally, the Trojan lacked the slender and elegantlysculptured receiver of the graded Parker double guns and no engraving adornedthe color case hardened frame. In the 1920's, the famous Parker doll's-head ribextension was eliminated to further reduce production cost, relying entirely on the under-bolt to keep the action closed. Internally, however, it was based on thesame complicated and rather fussy hammerless action as other Parker guns. Likeall Parkers, the Trojan was fabricated from high quality materials and the workmanship was good.
The Trojan was a production line model. Gauges were limitedto 12, 16 and 20 and barrel length to 26, 28, or 30 inches. The barrels weremarked 'Trojan Steel' and supplied with a raised solid rib. Doubletriggers were standard, although a single trigger was available. (The Parkersingle selective trigger was complicated, unreliable and should be avoided.) Plainextractors raised the shells when the gun was opened; ejectors were not offered.
Trojans came with standard grade, black walnut, pistol gripstocks adorned with a simple checkering pattern on the underside of the forendand each side of the pistol grip. The typical butt plate was black Bakelite,although some Trojans were shipped with recoil pads. The forend was secured byspring tension and lacked the metal tip of the higher grade guns.
The Parker name has ensured the continuing popularity of theTrojan gun and it is typically the most expensive of the American economydoubles on the used market. It is not the best designed or most reliable of doubleguns, but the absence of the troublesome Parker selective ejectors made it morereliable than many of the high grade Parker guns. The Trojan's workmanship isamong the best in its price class. While aesthetically inferior to the highergrade Parker doubles, the Trojan finishes second in our beauty contest, slightly ahead of the Lefever Nitro Special and well ahead of the Fox Model B andWinchester Model 24. Among low priced American doubles, only the Fox Sterlingworth is clearly more attractive and refined.
Fox Model B (Savage Arms)
In 1940, Savage capitalized ontheir ownership of the Fox name by using it on an upscale version of theirStevens Model 311 side-by-side utility shotgun, which had been introduced in1931. The resulting gun, named the Fox Model B, was introduced at a MSRP of$25.75. It was to be a long lived model, remaining in the Savage line untilrising manufacturing costs and the sale and reorganization of SavageIndustries, Inc. (which became today's Savage Arms Company) caused it to bediscontinued in 1988. By that time the MSRP for the Fox Model B-SE had risen to $525.
The Model B was introduced in 12, 16, 20 and .410 bores. At some point inthe early 1970's the 16 gauge was dropped, but the other three bores wereavailable until the end. As usual, 12 gauge guns are the most common. Except in.410, chokes were typically Modified/Full or Improved Cylinder/Modified. With anarrower frame and breech, the 20 gauge Model B is lighter and handles better than 12 gauge guns.
The most common variations of thebasic gun were the Model B - Mfg. 1940-86, black or color case frame, doubletriggers, extractors, plain rib (later changed to vent. rib); Model BST - Mfg.1955-66, case color frame, single non-selective trigger, plain matted rib,beavertail forend; Model BDL - Mfg. 1962-65, a BST with a satin chrome-platedframe, vent. rib; Model BDE - Mfg. 1965-66, similar to the BDL with reducedcheckering coverage; Model BSE - Mfg. 1966-88, similar to the BDE with selectiveejectors, vent. rib and select walnut.
The sides and bottom of the frameare decorated by a simple, roll marked, game scene pattern. Frames were initiallygiven a black gun metal finish, but before long were changed to a color casefinish that remained standard until the guns were discontinued. Model B-DL gunswere supplied with satin chrome-plated frames. Model B-SE gun frames went fromsatin chrome to satin black to color case finishes as the years went by andstyles changed.
Fox Model B shotguns are heldclosed by a single under-bolt. Coil springs are used throughout and power thehammers and sears. The result is a bulky, but durable, action that seldom needsrepair.
For around the first 20 years,Model B guns had raised solid ribs. Later production, starting with the singletrigger models, but eventually also including the double trigger models,switched to a ventilated rib.
All Fox Model B guns came withAmerican black walnut stocks and forends. The wood that I have seen on theseguns varied from standard to semi-fancy. Hand cut checkering in a simple patternwas used until sometime in the middle 1960's, when the change was made toimpressed checkering in a somewhat fancier pattern. A glossy wood finish wasstandard. These are short tang guns and a drawbolt, a strong method of attachment, retains the stock.Stocks are of the pistol grip type with a fluted comb and a corrugated blackplastic butt plate. Most guns produced from the mid-1950's on came with abetter defined and more graceful pistol grip than the early guns and werefitted with a black plastic grip cap. White line spacers at pistol grip cap andbutt plate came and went.
The forend is held in place by aself-adjusting spring tension latch that does not loosen with use. Forend stylewas initially a rather large version of the splinter type. This was eventuallychanged to a bulky full beavertail forend that became standard across theboard.
The Fox Model B is not a slim,lightweight double gun built on the British pattern. It is relatively bulky and heavy, especiallyin 12 gauge, designed to shoot heavy American style shells and it has theheft to do so. Aesthetically, the Model B is superior to theWinchester Model 24, but less graceful than the other economy doubles coveredhere. The workmanship and fit are about average for mass produced guns. However, the number of Savage/Foxdoubles still in use is a testament to their solid design and construction.
Winchester Model 24
The Winchester Model 24side-by-side shotgun went into production in 1939 and stayed in the line until1958. It was intended to compete with the Stevens 311 and cheap imported gunsas an affordable, utility side-by-side. Available gauges were 12, 16, and 20,with 12 gauge being the most common.
Barrel lengths of 26, 28 and 30 inches were offered in 12 gauge, while 16 and 20 gauge guns could be had with 26 or 28 inch tubes. Modified/Full chokes were typical of guns with 28' and 30' barrels; 26' barrels were choked Improved Cylinder/Modified.
Despite being one of the bulkiest and perhaps the ugliest of all American double guns, the Model 24 was reasonably successfulin the market place and a total of over 116,200 were manufactured. I believe this was because it was manufactured from high quality steel, workedreliably, its stock had less drop than most of the older economy guns and it was a good shooter. The Winchester name probably didn't hurt, either.
The Model 24 was produced only as a field grade gun with a blued receiver and barrels, wide7/16' raised solid rib, double triggers and spring powered extractors thatelevated the shells when the gun was opened. The crudely shaped trigger guard was stamped from heavy gauge sheet metal. It was strictly an economy gun and upscale features, such as a single trigger, ejectors,ventilated rib, engraving, stock checkering and so forth were never offered.
The Model 24 design is very unconventional. Its forged steel receiver body is rounded and exceptionally broad across the action body. Thebarrel breeches of most double guns are considerably wider than (and overhang)the sides of the receiver, but the receiver of the Model 24 is actuallyslightly wider than the barrels. This gives the gun a decidedly unusual appearance.
It is a true hammerless gun, striker fired, as opposed to having concealed hammers like most double guns.The Model 24 was designed with two lumps, one centered beneath each barrel, leaving a tunnel between thetwo lumps. It boasts a clean breech face and is held closed by a single under-bolt that engages a notch in the double barrel lumps. In the area between the 24's dual lumps are a cocking slide and the extractor. The Model 24 is about as wide through the breech and receiver as a side-by-side gun can possibly be. It is completely different from and should never be confused with the elegant Winchester Model 21 double gun.
Model 24's were supplied with standard grade black walnut, pistol grip stocks with a lacquer finish. A straight hand stock could be ordered, one of the only options. There was no checkering. Early versions had a hard butt plate; later this was changed to a ventilated recoil pad. The 24's semi-beavertail forend is held in place by spring tension.
Aesthetically, the Model 24 has to be one of the ugliest double guns ever made.It was a 'plain Jane' gun, but it was widely available, reliable and surprisingly fun to shoot.
Conclusion
I have, at various times in the past, had a reasonable amount experience with the Lefever, Parker, A.H. Fox andSavage/Fox guns. I have never owned a Winchester Model 24, but I shot oneenough in the course of a Guns and Shooting Online review to become reasonably acquainted with its action and geta feeling for it. With that in mind and for what it is worth, I offer the following opinions.
Only the Fox Sterlingworth and Parker Trojan have action mechanisms similar to those used intheir manufacturers' higher grade guns and only the Sterlingworth has a similarreceiver contour. The Lefever Nitro Special action was an Ithaca design muchlike the N.I.D. It was a good action that was tobecome a classic in its own right, but much different from Uncle Dan Lefever'sautomatic hammerless sideplate action that had made the Lefever name famous.The Fox Model B (a spiffier version of the Stevens 311) and Winchester Model 24 actions were designed formaximum production economy, without any pretension to greatness beyond the useof a famous name.
If I were looking to purchase one of theseguns today, my first choice would be an A.H. Fox Sterlingworth, which I feeloffers the best action and most refined style of the bunch. It is the only gunI would consider upgrading with engraving, high grade walnut and upscalecheckering. With these enhancements, a Sterlingworth can become a 'personal best' gun. My second choice would be a Lefever Nitro Special,which offers a simpler and more reliable action than the Parker Trojan, costsless and looks almost as good. Third would be a Parker Trojan, which is very well made and a more appealing gun than the mass produced Winchester and Savage/Fox entries.
The least expensive and sophisticated of these guns are the Fox Model B and Winchester Model 24.Both work fine, but they are cruder in design and workmanship than the threevintage brands and incorporate more production shortcuts. Because they are broad across the beam, these are theslowest handling and most ponderous of our economy doubles. If I were to buy oneof these guns, it would definitely be a 20 gauge to reduce weight and bulk. The Stevens designed andSavage produced Fox Model B is a considerably better looking gun than the Winchester Model24 and offers better features, but in my hands the Winchester shoots better. Your results, of course, may vary.
Note: Full reviews of the Fox Model B, Fox Model B-DL and Winchester Model 24 shotguns can be found on the Product Reviews page.