Steve McCarty
09-29-2011, 04:01 PM
I'm new here. I'm not new to Parkers however. I've got a Single Barrel Trap that I think is an SC. (The gun is not here, so I can't get a picture of it, but I will soon.)
My gun was sold to me by the son in law of the original owner who was a famous industrialist. Gun dates to 1920's. Can't recall the SS#, something like 123,000. Cost of gun was $1500.
When he told me he had a Parker to sell I was excited. He brought out an old plastic case. When he removed the gun the barrel/action/receiver was orange...bright orange! My heart sunk! Upon close inspection I could see that the gun was totally covered with fine almost powdery red rust. The over lever was broken inside somewhere. Gun would not open. I soaked some 0000 steel wool in Liquid Wrench and soaked the metal parts. Then very, very lightly brushed the metal parts. Wonder of wonders the rust came immedately off and the deep blue underneath came back with only a few minor pits...not big enough to fret about. The action has some pits too. The receiver came up very nice with most case colors. Engraving is wonderful. What I think was the original Silver's butt pad had almost flaked away and was squashed flat. I replaced it with a new Silver's pad. Had the latch fixed. Did not touch the color on the barrel. It has a soft silvery/blue sheen. Bore is fine. Looks new. Has a beaver tail forearm that is finely checkered. It doesn't match the color of the stock very well. I think it's a early replacement. Gunsmith did a little work on the stock which came up very nice, but still shows some wear. It doesn't shine like a new gun, but like an old nice gun. It doesn't look redone and it really isn't. While I only own a few what I'd call fine and best shotguns, the wood on this gun is the best that I own.
There is a one inch long 1/8 inch wide sliver that has fallen from the bottom of the wrist that runs along the lower tang. I'm not going to repair it. It shows hand wear, so it happened before the gun as put away. The color on the lower tang is totally worn off. Maybe half color on the trigger guard.
The very first round I shot with it, I broke 23. The gun turns with me and I never look at the bead. It sights itself. It makes me a better trap shot. It has a lot of "air".
I seldom read anything about these Single Barrel Trap Parkers. I've seen only one and it wasn't very nice and had replaced wood. How do they stack up within the Parker collector's association? When I mention my gun at a gun shows people just look away.
As soon as I can I'll post a picture.
Oh, you can buy it - from my widow.
My gun was sold to me by the son in law of the original owner who was a famous industrialist. Gun dates to 1920's. Can't recall the SS#, something like 123,000. Cost of gun was $1500.
When he told me he had a Parker to sell I was excited. He brought out an old plastic case. When he removed the gun the barrel/action/receiver was orange...bright orange! My heart sunk! Upon close inspection I could see that the gun was totally covered with fine almost powdery red rust. The over lever was broken inside somewhere. Gun would not open. I soaked some 0000 steel wool in Liquid Wrench and soaked the metal parts. Then very, very lightly brushed the metal parts. Wonder of wonders the rust came immedately off and the deep blue underneath came back with only a few minor pits...not big enough to fret about. The action has some pits too. The receiver came up very nice with most case colors. Engraving is wonderful. What I think was the original Silver's butt pad had almost flaked away and was squashed flat. I replaced it with a new Silver's pad. Had the latch fixed. Did not touch the color on the barrel. It has a soft silvery/blue sheen. Bore is fine. Looks new. Has a beaver tail forearm that is finely checkered. It doesn't match the color of the stock very well. I think it's a early replacement. Gunsmith did a little work on the stock which came up very nice, but still shows some wear. It doesn't shine like a new gun, but like an old nice gun. It doesn't look redone and it really isn't. While I only own a few what I'd call fine and best shotguns, the wood on this gun is the best that I own.
There is a one inch long 1/8 inch wide sliver that has fallen from the bottom of the wrist that runs along the lower tang. I'm not going to repair it. It shows hand wear, so it happened before the gun as put away. The color on the lower tang is totally worn off. Maybe half color on the trigger guard.
The very first round I shot with it, I broke 23. The gun turns with me and I never look at the bead. It sights itself. It makes me a better trap shot. It has a lot of "air".
I seldom read anything about these Single Barrel Trap Parkers. I've seen only one and it wasn't very nice and had replaced wood. How do they stack up within the Parker collector's association? When I mention my gun at a gun shows people just look away.
As soon as I can I'll post a picture.
Oh, you can buy it - from my widow.