Available recoil pads in 1913

Rick Riddell · 07-14-2018, 12:42 PM

Was curious what pads would have been available from the Parker shop in 1913? It would be for a 0 grade or Trojan grade.
I know Silvers were offered, were there any others?

Bill Murphy · 07-15-2018, 07:42 AM

A Trojan was very unlikely to have been fitted with a pad at the factory. A 12 gauge Trojan looks pretty good with a properly fitter Silver pad.

Tom Flanigan · 07-15-2018, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

A Trojan was very unlikely to have been fitted with a pad at the factory. A 12 gauge Trojan looks pretty good with a properly fitter Silver pad.

I hate to take a contrary opinion to that of my buddy, but I don't think any Parker, other than guns built for target shooting, look good with a pad, even Silvers which is the least obnoxious of them all. I once owned a DHE with a seriously perished original pad. I replaced it with a Silvers, but always regretted the fact that the gun didn't have a skeleton butt. I no longer buy any Parker with a pad, original or aftermarket, I am currently looking for a nice BHE or CHE. If it has a pad, I won't buy it. Most Parkers were shipped without a pad. I guess I am somewhat of a purist. But many like pads and thats fine with me. I just don't want them on any of my personal guns.

Dean Romig · 07-15-2018, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Flanigan

I hate to take a contrary opinion to that of my buddy, but I don't think any Parker, other than guns built for target shooting, look good with a pad, even Silvers which is the least obnoxious of them all. I once owned a DHE with a seriously perished original pad. I replaced it with a Silvers, but always regretted the fact that the gun didn't have a skeleton butt. I no longer buy any Parker with a pad, original or aftermarket, I am currently looking for a nice BHE or CHE. If it has a pad, I won't buy it. Most Parkers were shipped without a pad. I guess I am somewhat of a purist. But many like pads and thats fine with me. I just don't want them on any of my personal guns.

Some Parker DH and DHE's were ordered and supplied with pads. Some make us scratch our heads wondering why... like this little 28 gauge DHE from 1912.

I think it's pretty cute.... It's hard as a rock but it's still cute.

.

WHO · 07-15-2018, 10:57 PM

Here is a factory pad from a 1905 20 gauge hammer gun.

Rick Riddell · 07-15-2018, 11:50 AM

Thats great but this gun already had a pad and was altered. Just looking to get something that might have been offered by Parker with their guns, or actually anything that might have been available during this time period. I'm not a collector but would like some continuity with the time frame the gun was made. I do appreciate the help and opinions guys!

Tom Flanigan · 07-15-2018, 12:07 PM

Rick, understood. I was not talking about guns that already have an aftermarket pad and my comments were in no way aimed at your particular situation. I was just giving my perspective generally. Sometimes pads are the only way to go, especially if the butt has been cut down and a pad is needed to get a decent length of pull. Perhaps my bias against pads is born from the many DHE and above guns that had their skeleton butt destroyed for want of a pad. I can't begin to imagine doing that. It destroys the historical integrity of the gun. Replacing an original plate on the lower grades is less of a sin, but still a sin in my perspective. But your gun had a pad already, so all bets are off. Your gun will look fine with a period pad. My personal preference is for the Silvers, a classic in it own right, I must admit.

Opening Day · 07-15-2018, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Flanigan

Your gun will look fine with a period pad. My personal preference is for the Silvers, a classic in it own right, I must admit.

Or a Hawkins pad, the one with the heart shapes on the side of the pad, not the straight horizontal rubber ribs, hard to explain but when you see the two pads you'll know what I am talking about.

Tom Flanigan · 07-15-2018, 12:50 PM

I imagine that there were more Hawkins pads installed at the factory than any other. I've never seen a Silvers pad factory installed but I'm sure they did. My personal preference is for a pad without ventilation.

Rick Riddell · 07-15-2018, 03:26 PM

Thanks guys, believe it or not it's going on a 200.00 dollar Trojan, as in 200 dollars in 2018. It's had some "special" treatment, like beavertail forend, restock and a white line pad that looks out of sorts. So I thought with some small corrections I can get a good shooter for the pigeon pit. I wont feel so bad cranking some rounds through it! Yeah although not a collector I do like to keep some things period correct!