Established by Charles Parker shortly after the Civil War, Parker Brothers produced a wide variety of shotguns in different styles over the decades. Parker shotguns are perhaps the best known of all American shotguns and are among the most collectable. Offered here is a rare example of a Parker Bros. Grade 7 AAHE double barrel 20 gauge shotgun that was manufactured in 1916. Based on the information in "The Parker Gun: An Immortal American Classic" by Larry L. Baer, the AAHE grade was the second most expensive shotgun Parker had available at that time and sold for $500 in 1917; this equates to slightly over $11,000 in 2020 matched for inflation using the CPI Inflation Calculator! According to the book "The Parker Story," an estimated total of 238 AAH shotguns were manufactured (page 353). Out of this total, 17 are said to have been manufactured in 20 gauge with 28 inch barrels. This shotgun is listed by serial number in Price and Fjestad's "Parker Gun Identification & Serialization" as a Grade 7 AA shotgun with 20 gauge 28 inch barrels, ejectors, and capped pistol grip stock. The barrels feature a concave matted solid rib marked "PARKER BROS. MAKERS MERIDEN. CT, U.S.A. WHITWORTH STEEL" with pointing arrows at each end and fitted with dual bead sights and ejectors. The barrel flats have a Remington factory return code for December 1954 ("X A 3"). The receiver features a fantastic full coverage floral scroll and floral blossom engraving with "PARKER BROS" engraved on each side. This engraved motif extends to the break lever, trigger guard, forearm hardware, skeletonized buttplate and barrel breech. The serial number is engraved on the lower tang. The matching serial number is found on the lower tang, water table, barrel lug and forearm hardware. Besides carrying the frame serial number (172783) on the lug, the barrels are stamped "47537" (left) and "47538" (right). Whitworth barrels carried their own serial numbers and should not be confused for the gun's serial number. The barrels are correctly numbered and have the letter "W" for Whitworth steel on the flats. The jeweled water table is marked with five-line patent date information on the right side and "AAH" over the serial number and "7" on the left side. The inside surfaces of the forearm hardware is also jeweled. The action is equipped with a manual tang safety and single selective Miller trigger with stippled face. Mounted on an extra fancy, select walnut beavertail forearm and pistol grip stock which features high relief carved fleur-de-lis stock flats having a checkered recess in the center and fine checkering on the pistol grip and forearm. The buttstock has a hard rubber grip cap with blank brass initial oval. The bare butt is checkered and fitted with a skeletonized buttplate. Bore and stock measurements: .627/.627, chokes .017/.029, minimum wall thickness .017/.017, drop at comb 1 1/2 inches, drop at heel 2 3/4, length of pull 14 inches, weight 6 lbs. 5 oz.

Exceptionally fine as Remington factory refurbished. The barrels retain 97% plus of the blue finish with a couple small spots of light pitting near the muzzle (left side). 97% plus of the niter blue remains on the trigger. 80% of the blue remains on the trigger guard and buttplate. 80% case colors remain on the frame which have silvered out on the remaining areas. The engraving and markings are crisp. The wood shows minimal handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A solid example of a very rare Grade 7 AAHE single trigger 20 gauge shotgun that will be a welcomed addition to any Parker or high end shotgun collection.