PARICER GUNS. The Parker shot gun has stood the test in the most satisfactory manner for hard and continuous service in competition with the best guns of both home and foreign ture. This gun is presented to sportsmen to meet a demand that exists for a " top-action " gun that combines all the essential qualities of a perfect gun, which are, simplicity of struction, excellence of workmanship, beauty of proportion, balance, shooting qualities, and capacity to resist the strain of long continued use. The locking devices employed are superior to those used by most other manufacturers. The locking bolt holds the rels positively firm, and being df taper shape, allows the locking of the gun, even when a little dirt is in the way. This locking- bolt is supplemented by the top fastener upon the end of the extension rib, which prevents the springing of the breech from the barrels, and any lateral motion of the barrels at the time of discharge. This fastener has its sides cut upon the arc of a circle, with the hinge joint as a center, which gives a perfect bearing along its entire surface when the gun is closed. Most other top fastenings fit on the top only, and are of no benefit as a fastener, because when the gun is slightly opened there is no contact along Its surface, whereas this fastener has a bearing during the entire oper ation of opening the barrels. It is the result of experience, that in order to enable sports men to use heavy charges, the hinge pin must be removed from the breech a greater dis tance than formerly. The length of the frame. therefore, has been materially increased, which, although it adds to the expense of manufacture, insures durability to the gun and allows free action of the lever. Figure Particular attention has been paid to the prop er shape and distribution of materials, and the greatest strength will be found where the strain is most severe, and where the wear and tear is greatest. A great variety of weights and sizes are made, and in all of them will be found that symmetry of proportion, beauty of outline and perfection of balance for which this gun is so justly celebrated, and which is so pleasing to the sense of sight and touch of all true sportsmen.
The Parker gun is a distinctively American product, and has all the advantage of the American system of manufacturing, by producing an interchangeable gun, the parts of which are all made to gauge, fit accurately, and are readily duplicated. The different parts are made by special machinery', and are subject to rigid inspection, so that no de fective or imperfect part can find its way into the finished gun. The number of parts is reduced to a minimum, and the construction is so simple that any sportsman with no tool but a screw-driver, can take his gun apart for cleaning or repairs. No breech loader has less to get out of order, and none will stand better the ordeal to which a breech loader is subjected. The springs used, aside from the locks, are such as can be made by any
one, and the breaking of one or all of them would not interfere with a day's sport or the safe and successful use of the gun. All the materials are selected with the greatest care, and no metals but the best cast steel and wrought iron are used in its construction. The locking bolt is held back while the gun is open, doing away with the wear on the hinge joint, which all breech loaders are subjected to when the barrels are forced down against a strong spring in the rear of the bolt. The patent rebounding locks are all made of the finest materials and by skilled workmen.
Figure 2 shows the locking mechanism of the top action, the gun being closed. Figure 3 represents the gun opened. Pressing the thumb against the lever is throws it I to the right, and acting through the piece 16, forces the piece 18 to the rear. This piece being pivoted at the top withdraws the bolt 17 from the mortise which is cut in the lug 6, and releases the barrels, ready for the insertion of the cartridges. It will be observed that when the bolt 17 is back to the position as shown in Figure 3, the small hole which is drilled in the under side of said bolt comes directly over the trip zi, which by the assis tance of the small spiral spring 8, is made to enter this hole in the bolt 17, and thereby holds it in position. This prevents the lug 6 coming- in contact with the bolt 17 when the gun is closed. By means of spring zo the action of the kver 15 1:1- positive, not only to withdraw the bolt fi-onz, but to force it forward into the mortise in the lug 6. When the gun is closed, as shown in Figure 2, the sides of the extension rib 24, being upon the arc of a circle, with the hinge joint 13 as a center, have a bearing along their entire surface, aand the extension rib fits securely into its seat 24 in frame. When the barrels are brought ' to place for firing, the bottom of the lug 6 strikes the trip 21, withdrawing it froin the bolt 17, ..vhich ihen enters the mortise in the lug 6 and securely- locks the gun, as shown in Figure 3. The taper bolt 17 locks the barrels positively firm, and the use of a taper bolt for fastening the gull gives it a decided advantage over others, as it does not allow a little dirt (which is very liable to get under the barrels when open) to prevent the gun from locking. Many times when shooting, sportsmen are balked this way, but this gun closes with the same ease and locks as securely if there is a little dirt in the way. When the gun is open the check hook T comes in contact with the pin e which avoids any strain . on the joint x3, and thus prevents the gun becoming shaky- by constant use.