There are two types of side-by-side shotguns that always thrill guys: The small ones (28s & .410s) and the big ones–like the eight gauge Parker you see here.
Eight gauges use to be used to pass shoot ducks, geese, and swans, and in the 19th century they were popular with shooters hunting along the big flyways up and down the Eastern Seaboard. In the 20th century, they fell out of favor and were eventually outlawed by the Federal Government for use on all migratory species. Today, some states allow you to use on other game species (like turkeys), while others have completely outlawed their use for hunting. Oh well.
Of all the major American makers, Parker made the most 8s – around 246 in all. According to the book The Parker Story, the first one was #4360, a D-grade underlever made in 1870s, and the last one was #174065, a DH made around 1916 with 36″ barrels. Lefever made some 8s, too, and so did L.C. Smith, but in small numbers – Lefever may have turned out 40 or so (including this nice E grade) and L.C. Smith made around 35 (including this one).
8 gauge Parker PH Side-by-Side shotgun: Ser. No. 152883. 36″ Twist barrels on a No. 6 frame. Bores are mint- lots of finish- wt.- 13 lbs. 10 ozs. A great hard to find Parker in this condition.
