Parker Gun Collectors Association Forums - Restoration of Fine Sporting Arms

Though I am generally disposed to positive stories with happy endings, this is no such story. I will reserve comment for later, as I am too angry at the moment. Furious would be more accurate.

Several months ago, I delivered to fellow PGCA member, JJ Roberts, a very nice, perfectly functional, somewhat historic 1910 Parker VH. It had belonged to David J. Hasinger, world record holder, hunter for the Smithsonian and amazing adventurer. On his business card, JJ Roberts touts, “Restoration of Fine Sporting Arms”. JJ recently recommended on the gunsmithing thread John Gillette of Classic Guns. John did the color case hardening on this gun and attempted to reassemble it. I will let his and JJ’s work speak for itself. I will not comment further now, other than to describe what I requested and what was returned to me.

When I delivered the gun to JJ, I requested the following:

-Reblue barrels
-Pick engraving
-Re-do case colors
-Remove electric pencil etched name from action

First, is a before picture of the gun. What follows are pictures of the atrocious mess of non-functioning parts returned to me today. You will note the pile of additional parts not in the gun, the absence of the front bead which was incredibly lost and JJ pretended not to notice it was missing, the buggered screws, the gaps between wood and metal, the one protruding firing pin. Btw, none of the parts that are supposed to move, move. The safety doesn’t work, the triggers don’t function, the barrels are off face, cock-eyed, you name it. And that’s only what I can see as an untrained, regular guy who simply likes to shoot.

I will soon send the gun to a well known double gunsmith who has kindly agreed to evaluate the gun to determine if it’s salvageable. More to follow. Sad day.

Joe Graziano