In the beginning...

[Stu Williams]

Ok, newbie here. Hope the site will let load some pix. I scaled them down so as not to be too huge of files.
After 35 years of criminal neglect, I wish to resurrect this Ole Gal for some runs at the local sporting clay course.
I must say the camera REALLY brings out the flaws, I think the pictures make it look worse than in person.
I have NO idea why, but it looks like someone may have drilled a hole straight through the stock above the trigger and has a poor patch job to boot.
230870 1929
Trojan 20 ga
Anyway, I live in Winston Salem, have no real gun restoration skills although I am fairly handy in most things. Curious the cost to clean her up and take her to the sporting clay prom.
http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/44042/2926077600099220075S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2926077600099220075iWRdRR)
http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/47808/2062696140099220075S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2062696140099220075FGxoru)
http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/47892/2511903450099220075S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2511903450099220075mdIPiv)
http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/9560/2393233860099220075S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2393233860099220075xRONyC)

[Stu Williams]

http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/46065/2417733500099220075S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2417733500099220075sdeVyb)
http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/45686/2293304050099220075S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2293304050099220075qhojca)
http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/44358/2761829400099220075S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2761829400099220075kELvHr)
http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/47666/2465066820099220075S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2465066820099220075nAIAiC)
http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/22569/2227632090099220075S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2227632090099220075ZcSvcu)
http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/45048/2065423910099220075S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2065423910099220075VEptCV)

[Bill Murphy]

The hole was drilled to install a screw or some such to fix a stock that was split at the head and spreading. If everything seems tight up there, ignore the appearance of the repair. You might fabricate a piece to join the two pieces of buttplate. Don't be afraid to glue everything in place to the stock. You should not have to get in there again. Just seal the end grain of the stock against moisture before gluing everything together. Otherwise, the gun looks great, better than the Parker I use for sporting clays. I don't see any signs of criminal neglect.

[Stu Williams]

What is the feeling about something like...this (http://vintagegungrips.net/pabu.html)

[Greg Baehman]

What is the feeling about something like...this (http://vintagegungrips.net/pabu.html)

I believe that those butt plates are made of plastic, original Trojan butt plates were made from hard rubber. Galazan has hard rubber reproductions and it's your lucky day as they're on sale.

http://www.csmcspecials.com/Parker_Trojan_Butt_Plate_p/pb300.htm

[Bill Murphy]

That buttplate from Tony is going to require fitting and trimming to go on a 20 gauge. Make sure your hole spacing is correct. Good luck.

[Dean Romig]

Reproduction buttplates are made of plastic and are far more prone to cracking and breaking than originals which are "hard rubber" (gutta percha).

[Stu Williams]

Is there one known to fit that isn't like the OEM but fits the T 20ga well? Just in case I goof a trim job.

[Bill Murphy]

No such thing as a repro buttplate that fits. Sorry. Just don't buy plastic.

[Stu Williams]

Ok, guess I had better do well the first time.
Has anyone with an original bothered to make a stencil for the rest of us?
If not, I shall make one of a successful trim job butt plate.

[Dean Romig]

Stu, even the originals had to be hand-fitted to the buttstock at the Parker Gun Works.

[Bill Murphy]

Step one is to get the buttplate to conform to the butt in "the bend" of the butt of the stock. Next step is to get the screws in and get the plate to fit absolutely flat against the wood. I am good at both of those steps. However, you may consider proceeding from there as part of a refinishing job on the stock as this will produce the best fit for the buttplate. The final sanding of the wood will be done with the buttplate in place for a perfect fit.

[Stu Williams]

Well I think I will get an everyday semi-auto to play the range with, and start cleaning up the Parker. Will be searching out best methods to tear down the ole gal and refinish the stock and forearm as well as cleanup the metal. Don't need perfect but Damn Good will be the goal. Due to loads of projects laying around I will guess it will be early-mid 2011 before I get under way. Would enjoy having someone in my geographic area that is also going through the process to share the experience and likely a beer or scotch as well.:D

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Stu, good looking old girl a little tlc and she should be ready for the range, Trojans are the "Model T's of the Parker world. Gary

[Stu Williams]

Well, my priceless to me model T has not made much progress. Bought a Beretta Teknys and last week a beautiful Beretta 682 (Stunningly beautiful and unique I might add).
Is there anyone in Western NC in the process of restoring their Parker at the present?
Love to share the experience with someone.
Not ready to start just yet, but maybe in a few months. Sending my 682 to Cole's and that will suck some funds for now.
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/578173379wDqrdQ?vhost=outdoors

[Jack Cronkhite]

I have spent a bit of time here and there along the way with making a valiant attempt to resurrect a VH in truly rough condition. I "tinker" with things, not a pro. You can see the VH in my albums, including close-ups of the parts you will encounter. If you are "handy", you can strip it down completely and clean up the innards. Be sure to use only hollow ground tips that completely fill each slot. Forget your carpenter/mechanic screw drivers. Dis-assembly instructions in the FAQ's. Lots of very good tips also in the FAQ's. Search around. You will learn a lot about your gun. Your Trojan will be good for many more decades after getting some deserved TLC. There are many here that can and will help. Ask lots of questions before doing anything that doesn't seem straight forward - and maybe even if it does, because not all is what it seems. Don't pry the fore end off - use a finger or a Romig Wedge - a simple tool (the wedge, not Romig). There are threads discussing oil removal from the stock, a staple repair for a split head, rather than the screw/pin repair that was done on yours. If you decide there are some things you want done that are beyond your own expertise, there are members here who can do stock repairs, metal restoration and master gun-smithing. You found the right site to help you bring your Trojan to good serviceable condition on your own accord, or right up to a near factory restoration with the services of others.
Good luck and have fun with it.
Cheers,
Jack

[calvin humburg]

Better have a little spacker 4 u start.

[Stu Williams]

Does anyone have a link to the kind of screwdrivers that do the least damage on my lil Parker?
I asked at Lowes for hollow ground tips and you could see the guy lock up and smoke come out of his ears.
Thanks in advance!

will these do?

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/GNS075-1.html

[Jack Cronkhite]

Brownells, super set and thin set With these tips you will be able to take on most any firearm. A bit pricey but cover all the bases. They also sell individual tips. I think there is a thread on here from a while back that describes which tip for which screw so you could just buy the Parker specific tips. Someone may recall the particular thread but it escapes me at the moment.

Cheers,
Jack

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/cid=0/k=magna+tip+sets/t=P/ksubmit=y/Products/All/search=magna_tip_sets