[joe breda]

Skeuse Parker’s,... Hmmmm?
Novel name, and definitely prefer that nomenclature, far better than calling them “Repro’s”
The name “Repro” is condescending, I believe!
The word sounds like the word “Repo”, short for repossessed, and has a NEGATIVE connotation, too it ? And it also sounds cheap, and these fine SxS’s are anything, but cheap, in quality and in cost !
The “Skeuse” Parkers, utilizes the same Parker design and Patents. Even the parts are interchangeable! I know this to be true, because I manufacture Parker Parts, ( ref. Brian Dudley)
Who has purchased many parts from us (BMI) Breda Machine Inc. One of the most intricate parts we have manufactured is the Ejector Hammers. They work in the “Skeuse” Parker’s, and in the “Meriden” built Parker’s, of old ! If the parts don’t fit 100% exactly, that’s because the Skeuse Parkers were CNC machined and all the parts are exact, part to part, where as the Meriden Parker’s were made using manual machining methods, then hand fitted for the last thousands, or two. I’ll add also, that some old Salvaged Parker parts need refitted also !
That’s the only caveat about Parker parts ! A swipe or two with a file, only if needed, and they’ll fit !
In my Professional opinion, the Skeuse Parker’s are superior to the Meriden built Parker’s.
To name a few things; the machining is better, the parts fit and engage better, the finishes are better ( Excluding the case colors) which is a little lacking, to me, and just a cosmetic.
Lastly more modern steels were used in manufacturing of the Skeuse Parkers, so the metallurgy it far superior!
The biggest perk concerning the Skeuse Parkers is, they were stocked to more modern stock dimensions, especially at the comb and heel !
Now back to name calling, in more of a honorable way.
I say we should try to refer to them more often as “The Skeuse Parkers”, instead of “Repro’s”.
It’s a more honorable, respectful reference, and a Salute to The Skeuse Family who painstakingly brought them back in the 1980’s
They are true Parker’s in every sense of design, such as the old Colt 45 Autos were.
The Colt 45’s are designated by the makers, and NOT called Reproductions or Repro Colt 45’s !
There are Singer Colt 45’s, Remington Colt 45’s etc. etc etc.
But Still All Colt 45’s, are they not?
Same as the German Lugers are referred to by different manufacturers, but they are still Lugers, are they not ?
So, my hat is off to the gentleman(s) that refer to these later day Parker’s, as Skeuse Parker’s, because they are truly Parkers, are they not ?
On a side Note; if you ever want to up the fun a notch while shooting your sub gauge Skeuse Parker, you may want to try what I’ve done a few years ago. I had my 26”, 28 gauge DHE fitted with Briley’s 410 full length tubes. Surprisingly to me, it now has a better balance, and doesn’t seem to be as whippy. It seemed to tone that down, just a tad, which I now call....Perfect.
My experience with Briley’s tubes is, it generally makes some guns feel like there’s a boat anchor hanging down from the front of the barrel, at least to me it feels that way. I’ve found It has the opposite effect with the Briley’s in the Skeuse Parker 28 gauge, with 26” barrels.
And I’ll tell you what, man o man it is, a ton of fun shooting 410’s out of it. All those out there with a Skeuse configured in 28 gauge may want to give that a try ?
Not sure what the Briley’s would feel like in 20’s or 12 gauge guns ?
The overall cost at the time I purchased the Briley’s was around $700 including shipping and insurance. A far cry less expensive than purchasing a set of 410 barrels for your Skeuse Parker 28 gauge. And that’s if you could find a set, in the first place.
I say to this day, that was the best $700 I’ve ever spent, and I rarely shoot 28’s out of it now a days.
I’ll leave you with that note, to ponder !
CHEERS,
JoeB