Would you believe I inherited a Parker?
Shocking - never happens, I know.
Seems like this is the place to start.
Name is Brian Ream, live near Boston MA.
A quick summary: It's a VH 12ga S/N 1539xx (1910) barrels are Vulcan steel. Hammerless no ejectors.
Condition: Probably "Average" - best I can describe all the steel it's "Patina'd" - certainly really there's none of the heat-treating color I've seen some have online. Scrollwork is there, but seems "shallow"
Wood almost seems like it might have been oil?? Seems like maybe there is some left in parts - it's even wear certainly nothing with "chips" of finish. The checking of course is worn and the wood has darkened.
It was passed down and I do know it has some "somewhat" interesting history as it was owned by Admiral Ed "Old Dutch" Kalbfus - 2 time Commandant of the Naval War College and member of the Pearl Harbor board of inquiry. There's a "shield" embedded in the bottom of the stock - I've been told this represents it's a "Navy" gun? If there was anything on that shield it's long worn away. Looks like an old NYPD badge shape actually.
Anyway - I was planning to probably take it to a gunsmith - have it checked out, maybe refinished as possible - especially the stock. I don't hold expectations it's got great intrinsic value. Hoping it's able to be used.
Gunsmith locally recommended is Dave Santurri he said he's "Seen" parkers..
First question (probably of many to come) - anything to look for / ask of gunsmith?
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