Parker Reproduction Numbering system

[Steve Kleist]

Does anyone have a clue at what number the repros started. I believe all 12's start at 12 dash something??? Was it 12-0000 or 12-1200? Just curious. Is there a source of this info that I could look up? Thank you in advance.
Steve Kleist (a Repro Shooter) Ely, MN

[Dean Romig]

Of the many Repros I've seen they are numbered 12-0001 and up; 20-0001 and up; 28-0001 and up. I would be interested to know if there is any deviation from this system.

[Joe Bernfeld]

Hey new member Richard Skeuse. Here's a question you might be able to help with!
Joe

[Richard Skeuse]

Hi I think they started with #26. The first 1-25 were probably sample types and not for sale. the other guages were 001 etc. Hope that helps

[Michael Moore]

Hi, I am new to the forum. I have a 12 GA and the serial number is 12-00xx that I bought directley from the Skeuses when my brother worked for them at Reagent Chemical in NJ, it has a straight grip with a single trigger, 3" chambers, snap caps, oil can and has never been fired since I bought it.
Is there any other information that I might be able to get about my gun and where i could obtain that info?
Thanks, Mike

[Dave Fuller]

Michael Moore - This web site and Volume 1 of "The Parker Story" are your best sources of information on these guns. There are a number of people that regularly post here who collect information (old articles, ad.s, brochures, etc) on the Parker Reproductions. And, as you see above, Richard Skeuse himself occasionally chimes in to clear up issues and answer questions. What is it you want to know about your gun? It sure sounds like a nice one. -Dave

[Michael Moore]

Dave, thank you for your reply. I was just asking to see if there was any other info I could get about my gun, nothing in particular, info like how many were made in my configuration, how many total were made and if there were cleaning kits made for these. Sorry if I am asking about things that have been covered on this forum as I am new to this and other forums in general.
Thank you again.

[Kenny Graft]

The more I study the production of the Parker repro's the less confident I am....We need a web place set up to collect and record all known guns by S.N., grade,options and special production runs. Some day we may better know the answers to our questions. For now its very sketchy at best. For example...the BHE drades have me stumped. The recolections in print indicate that 100 of each gauge was made but I next to never see them listed for sale? And there is a post for a BHE 410/28 set that claims only 7 28Ga BHE grade guns exist? HMMM...See Guns Intl. auction 100105282 I have been keeping records of any repro 410 that comes up on the net. So far I have 5 DHE sets known by S.N. and 1 BHE and a BHE 0000 frame protatype that Chadicks listed as 1 of 1 at 25K and was sold? Parker story lists that 9 DHE 410 guns exist...I have found 7 of them so far.
This is a fun hobby and a good challenge is welcome...thanks all K.Graft SXS ohio....(-:

[Dean Romig]

Hi Kenny - I remember the Chadick's 0000-frame .410. As I recall he had that one on his site about four years ago. It wasn't there especially long - certainly not more than a couple of months. There was some discussion on our old forum about it. Bill Murphy was involved in the discussion.

[John Mellinger]

I'm hopeful someone can help me evaluate a reproduction I recently bought. The gun can be viewed at Gunbroker, item #145043524. It is stocked in what appears to be exhibition grade black walnut; the case does not have an offset handle like most described and the makers label inside the case is rectangle and not oval. The serial number is "P-130" which is also different than any described. It is an exceptional piece that I am very happy with. Any help, especially with the serial number will be appreciated.

[Dave Fuller]

The "P" serial numbers are thought to be prototypes made before full scale production and sales began. They come up for sale from time to time. If you have more photos you'd like share, many here would be interested. Spec.s on the gun would be of interest to the repro-philes as well. The case is unlike any Parker Repro case I've seen and is very likely not original. Nonetheless, you gun is fantastic! Congrat.s on a great acquisition.

[Greg Baehman]

Very nice gun John. in what is probably the most preferred configuration--at least I prefer
this configuration in a gun to be carried. Your gun's wood most likely Claro walnut, appears to have an oil finish applied rather than the standard factory high gloss finish applied to virtually all Repros. The case supplied with your gun is obviously an aftermarket case and the trade label is for a Parker Bros. gun and not a Parker Reproduction.

You will enjoy your new gun...Cheers!

[Dave Fuller]

The oil finish - where ever it comes from - is superior to the poly varnish supplied by the factory. This one took some doing but it turned out great.

[John Mellinger]

Thanks for the quick replies. I will have to reserve judgement on the case pending more investigation. As to the wood, I have to stick to the black walnut; I've been around too many guns and too much wood to conclude that it is Claro or English. American black walnut it is. Interesting that the gun is a proto type. Any more info on these guns will be appreciated.

[Dave Fuller]

Its a nice case and I would encourage you to investigate it. However, I can assure you that it is not an original case sold by Winchester or the Reagent Chemical Company. What would be the point in listing Parker Brothers defunct New York sales office address? Further, I believe Remington prevented the makers of Parker Reproductions from using the Parker Bros name. Black walnut would also be unique among all the repros I've seen (hundreds) including the ones with "P" serial numbers.

[Robert Delk]

Regarding the wood on the gun above- i know they cut some 'black" walnut trees in California as well as the claro and english varieties. I believe the Skeuse family owned a walnut supplier in California and I doubt they turned away a 'black" walnut if it was for sale in the log.I believe one could expect a mix of walnut varieties in the Parker reproductions as far as stock wood goes.

[Kenny Graft]

Very nice wood...Looks to have been striped and oil finished. Case is non original, may be galazan with repro label for the original Parker gun? Watch for a original case for 28" barrels or 26" barrels with the spacer in place with canvas cover, do not buy a 12ga case ...to big. Approx 350.00 give or take. Snap caps and oil bottle should say Parker Reproductions on them if original. It will be a great gun to have and use. The price was fair. Double trigger guns are harder to find and cost more. Thanks, Kenny Graft SXS ohio....(-: I could use your case for one of my original parkers, send me a e-mail at shooting-stars@comcast.net when ready to part with it. :bigbye: