Rifleman Q&A: A Parkerifled Single-Shot Pistol

by
posted on May 20, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Parkerifled Single-Shot Pistol

Q: I have an old gun that I cannot identify. It’s a .22-cal., single-shot, target-style pistol. I believe the barrel is a Parkerfield, but the stamping is spelled “PARKERIFLED.”


A: The marking on the muzzle, “Parkerifled A.G.P.” indicates very high-quality rifling by Alfred G. Parker & Co., of Birmingham, England. According to a full-page advertisement for Parkerifled Barrels in the June 1939 issue of The Rifleman, a British publication, the company notes: “Always look for the muzzle mark.”

“Parkerifled A.G.P.” marking
The “Parkerifled A.G.P.” marking on this muzzle ties it to Alfred G. Parker.

The British proofmarks on your gun show NP Nitro Proof for smokeless powder, 0.610" for length of cartridge, and “8 TONS” for its pressure rating. This system of marking came into use in response to the Proof Law of 1955. I believe this stamp was applied when this gun was exported from England in its later life. I expect this gun dates to between 1900 and 1920. Parkerifling typically appeared circa 1900-1910. Parkerifled barrels were very commonly done later by inserting a sleeve (tube) into the older bore.

Breveté (Patent) G. Morian, 36, ave de L’Opéra, Paris, is probably the maker or perhaps just the holder of the patent on the design of the gun’s action. The French books list him as working at the address from 1880 to 1890. This gun does not seem to be that old, but he may have worked much longer than the references mention, or the maker of this gun gives credit to Morian as holding the patent on the design. Considering the style of the pistol, especially the rear sight, I think the gun was made in Europe. The mark “BTE” near the oval “MG” is usually where the maker’s mark would be. “BTE” is an abbreviation of breveté and maybe “MG” is a mark of G. Morian?

So, was the pistol made in Paris and immediately exported to England for the Parkerifled barrel? My guess, which is just speculation on my part given all that is seen in your photographs, is that you have a French-made gun that was used in competition, later bought by an Englishman, sleeved by Parkerifling and used in competition up to World War II. It was likely then exported after 1955 by his heirs or by the person to whom the gun was sold.

Latest

Making Keltec Pr57 1
Making Keltec Pr57 1

Making The KelTec PR57 In Wyoming

To make its PR57 handgun, KelTec invested in an entirely new manufacturing facility located in Rock Springs, Wyo. "American Rifleman Television" headed out for an inside look at the company's efficient production process.

Taurus 66 Combat: A New "Fighting Revolver"

First introduced in the 1970s, the Taurus 66 Combat is a medium-frame revolver that has seen several evolutions in its lifetime, and the latest update creates what the company considers "the final word in fighting revolvers."

Review: Taurus GX2

From cars to cellphones, as a product gets more sophisticated, it usually also gets more expensive. And, as modern handguns get more modular and optic-ready, their prices tend to go up.

Rifleman Q&A: A Garand Puzzlement

"We are a father-and-son NRA member tandem in search of an answer regarding the branding of an M1 Garand rifle. We own an M1 rifle that has markings indicating it was a “lend lease to England,” and it also has a .308 barrel/sleeve."

$160K Raised For HAVA At SIG Sauer Event

SIG Sauer hosted its 9th Annual Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) Charity Golf event early last month and raised more than $160,000 to support disabled veterans.

Scout The Trail To A General Purpose Rifle

The search for a universal longarm—one suitable for both hunting and defensive scenarios—is a trek that involves a bit of doubling back.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.