Manufactured in 1874. Browned Plain Twist steel barrels with single steel bead sight on the concave solid rib marked "PARKER BROS. MAKER, MERIDEN, CONN PLAIN TWIST." and chambers measured at 12 gauge 2 5/8 inches with extractor. Casehardened underlifter action with sidelocks marked "D. M. LEFEVER" and "HAMMERLESS" on either side and "PAT. 20 1880." on the left lock. The action has an unusual manual cocking piece from Lefever on the left lock, a system used on early hammerless guns before the cock on open style action had been perfected. This system is U.S. Patent number 229,429 awarded June 29, 1880. The gun features nine engraved animals including a quail and setter on the left lock plate, two dogs chasing a bird on the trigger guard, a bust of a dog on the underside of the receiver, a quail and pointer on the right lock plate, and a woodcock on the forend tip. Fancy checkered splinter forend with engraved fittings and highly figured round knob pistol grip stock with blank inscription shield and skeleton buttplate over checkered bare butt. According to research by Larry Schuknecht this gun was ordered by Chauncey Bradley Ives ("Brad"), the American sculptor. The gun was returned to the factory on September 27, 1879, and was restocked and repaired, then shortly thereafter upgraded with the Lefever system, seemingly before the patent had even been issued in June, 1880. It was returned by a Jonathan Grove White. He is believed to be a family member of Ives and may have returned it on his behalf. It is also speculated by Schuknecht that Ives was a relation by marriage to Charles Parker and sculptures of the same style that Ives was famous for can be seen in the photograph of the Parker Parlor and Music room on page 37 of "The Parker Story" by Gunther, Mullins, Parker, Price, and Cote. Ives lived in Rome, Italy, with his wife and seven children until his death in in 1894. Schuknecht also speculates that the original Parker engraving would have been done by Jacob Glahn, as well as the engraving on the conversion as Glahn moved to work in the Syracuse, NY, area shortly before the time the conversion was completed. Included with the gun is a second matching set of 12 gauge barrels with blued finish and measuring 26 inches. This gun appears on page 68 of "Parker Gun Identification & Serialization" by Price and Fjestad in its original configuration where it is listed as an 11 bore gun and with two barrel sets. Also included is a takedown case and primer tins which are reproductions of the originals, shell reloading tools, six empty brass shells, some cleaning tools, and an award for the Finest Parker in the Concours d'Elegance from the Parker Gun Collectors Association. Barrel measurements for extra set (R/L): bore diameters 9 inches from the breech .781/.779 inches; choke constriction .030/.027 inches. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameters 9 inches from the breech .797/.796 inches; choke constriction .031/.029 inches; 2 inch drop at comb; 3 1/4 inch drop at heel; 14 inch length of pull; weight 8 lbs 10 oz.

Very fine as refurbished during the period of use. The barrels are an attractive brown with some Damascus pattern visible. The water table and underside of the forearm show some case colors with the balance a silvered patina, and the majority of the blue is on the cocking piece. The extra barrel set has 90% of the reblued finish with some areas of pitting and finish loss. Both barrel sets have been honed out to approximately 10 bore. The forearm has a few deep scratches and old chips out of the right hand side. The stock has a small crack at the wrist near the end of the tang and some splitting along the intricate figure. The checkering on the wood is worn but well-defined, and the wood is overall good. The reproduction case is very good, and the accessories are very good. Mechanically excellent. A rare opportunity to own a collaboration between two of the great names in American shotguns, Parker and Lefever.