questions
 

Forgive me , I am new, and have several questions. What was the original finish on VHE forearm latch assembly and the forearm tip ? Also, was the ivory mid bead threaded or press fit ? My VHE 16 ga. is 1910era. one more question; what is with the serial number checks in the forums ? Thanks.

Serial number checks are asked to determine if a particular gun conforms to the way it was originally configured.

Forend tip and forend latch were originally color case-hardened.






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Typically an ivory mid bead would be pressed in.

They would not be factory original on a Parker unless special ordered that way.

Serial number inquiries are answered by a look at the Serialization Book, a compilation of numbers and specifications created by Charlie Price and sold for a nominal price by the Double Gun Journal.

Thanks Guys. Of course it only creates more questions. So, can I request a serial check on my gun #150850 ? Were the mid beads originally threaded brass? I am assuming the broken bead would have to be drilled out ? The fore end latch appears on the sides to be case hardened, but the fore end tip is very easily polished with emery paper. Thanks again, Bill

Buy this book. It will give you the basic config of a gun(grade, gauge, stock, barrel length) on guns where records were found. Order a factory letter if you want more details.


PML

150850 isn't in the book. The PGCA isn't in possession of all the original record books, 5 are in other hands. Therefor, for that and the fact that some guns are not recorded in this book your gun is missing. Go to the main parkerguns page and click on the "research letters" link and at the top of that page you can type in your number to see if the PGCA has records on it and you can order a letter. BTW - They do....:)

Why would you polish any part of your Parker... Or am I misunderstanding your statement?





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I think he refers to the ability of the metal to be polished would put doubt that the part is hardened.

Any hardened metal will still polish bright with emory paper. just not much material will be removed because it is hardened.

OK: so as Paul Harvey would say, here's the rest of the story. I bought this gun 20 pus years ago at a local gun show. It turned out to be my very most favorite shotgun and I shoot it better than any other gun I've owned. When I got it, the gun had been worked on or maybe" worked over ".The chambers had been reamed for 23/4 and somebody had taken a hammer to the receiver, YUK! Fortunately no real damage. The barrels had two small dents near the muzzle; maybe got a car door slammed on them ?. I am also suspicious that the butt stock may have ben replaced because the checkering is much better/ newer than on the fore arm. All this is to say that although it is a great shooter, I don't think a refinish job will detract from it's value; it ain't going no where anyway. So after 20 years I decided my favorite shot gun should be finished the way I want according to it's heritage. Thanks again for all your input, I really appreciate it. By the way, Mr. Budley I checked you web site great stuff ! I too hale from New York 50 some years ago.