First Parker and First Restoration
Many in the Mid-west remember the 1993 as the worst flooding throughout the Mississippi River drainage. Levees broke along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers flooding areas which hadn’t been under water in over 100 years.
In the fall of 1993 I was in a small country store in Weldon Springs, Missouri. It is a typical rural country store selling groceries, liquor, ice, bait, camping supplies, guns and ammunition. While I was talking to the owner a young man brought in 8-10 guns which had been in his grandfathers flooded basement. Most had been in a gun case and submerged in water for weeks; Winchester 12, Winchester 70, several 22s, Parker 12 gauge, Remington pump shotgun etc.. Most of the wood on these guns were warped and the metal was rusted beyond repair. However 1 Parker 20 gauge had been standing on his grandfather’s workbench and only the buttstock had been damaged.
I purchased Parker Serial Number 210241 20 gauge PHE, O Frame, with steel barrels from the young man and his grandfather and I now owned my first Parker. I took the Parker to Paul Fuchs in Alton, Illinois for the restoration. Unfortunately the buttstock was damaged beyond replace so I had the gun restocked to my dimensions. The Parker 20 gauge loves 7/8 oz loads on 5 stand and/or skeet.
I’ve spent the last 21 years traveling the back roads of America, visiting gun shops, auctions and gun shows looking for my next restoration project. In my travels I’ve found wonderful guns however I’ve still got several projects in process.
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08-06-2014, 09:46 PM
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