DHE 16 Gauge SST Vent Rib:

[Bruce P Bruner]

The subject Parker arrived 2nd Day Air, and was delivered to Thornton, Co. late Friday. However, it was too late in the day for me to travel and secure it. Today I was on the road at 8:00am to finish the deal. It was still company sealed in a hard case when they presented me the shotgun in the Library. My first hands on inspection revealed no negative surprises. Whew! The positive items of note were that there is much more case color present than I had anticipated and the extremely well fitted recoil pad is marked "Frey Mershon Inc." at the top and "Pat. Ped." & "L.A. CAL." at the bottom, a period correct pad. The furniture is well preserved with minimal marks of note, while the blueing is also very nice, deep and consistent. The bores are immaculate. The grip cap reads "Parker Bros Meridan, Conn."
Somehow one of the ejection hammers was sprung and I recocked it when I got home. The forend fits vey tight when it snaps in.
Once home I measured the bores at the muzzle with a mic and determined the Right Bore measured .650 for a constriction of .012 (Between Skeet II & Mod.) and the Left Bore measured .635 for constriction of .027 (Full Choke). Probably not the correct way to measure but I am curious by nature.
The length of pull is right at 14" while the drop at the heel was 2.25", measured from the top of the barrel, not the top of the ventilated rib. Here again not terribly scientific but when I shoulder it my eye lines up perfectly down the rib to the front bead. There is a tiny ivory mid bead but I can't really even see it.
I have to wonder when the shotgun was ordered with all of the splendid special order features just what was the intended purpose? With the 30" barrels and a ventilated rib perhaps a mild recoiling trap gun is what he/she had in mind. A 1938 gun with production details on IBM cards no doubt won't reveal much but I intend to order one anyway.
So, it was a fine day and I appreciate the feedback from the experienced folks on the forum.

[J. Scott Hanes]

What did you eat for Breakfast that day???? Timing is 'everything'!
Absolutely beautiful Parker and one of the best finds I have ever heard of. I disagree with Dean Romig....4x the price!!

[C.O.B.]

congratulations on a very nice buy. Typical of Cabela's either they are way over priced or under valued. Their customary mark up is 30% so someone let it go for around $1400.
Is there a slight crack in the forearm between the latch and the receiver? It's hard to tell from the picture, it might just be a checkering line.

[Bruce P Bruner]

Yes C.O. B. you are correct. I'm not sure if it affects the ability to shoot it. I don't have the skill set to repair it but Mr. Bachelder has done stock work for me in the past with super human results. You have to be very patient though, quality work is slow and with his back log it's difficult to know when I'd get it back. I really want to shoot some clay's with it, maybe just a few to get the feel of the gun. The gun locks up vault tight and has no play in the head. The forearm is very tight fitting when locked in place.

[C.O.B.]

I wouldn't shoot it until that crack is stabilized. Where do you live? There is a VERY competent smith near me that could easily and quickly fix that.

[Bill Murphy]

Wendy Jo Guernsey send me an apologetic email from Cabela's thanking me for my business. She regrets that the gun I offered to purchase was sold. Oh, well.

[Bruce P Bruner]

Wendy Jo Guernsey sent me an email also, with the tracking number and thanked me for my business. She did an excellent job of packaging the shotgun with the gun disassembled and each piece double bubble wrapped in a hard case per my request.

[Bruce P Bruner]

[IMG]screen shot windows 7[/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

[Bruce P Bruner]

[IMG][/IMG]
screenshot

[Brush Buster]

I called Cabelas and sent a message I'll Take It !!!! But the lady called and said it just sold ! Congratulations on a Great Buy !