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Robert Cummings
Member
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Posted: Mon Sep 3rd, 2007 01:20 pm |
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Your site has inspired me to ask you a few questions
on a Parker 20 ga. Trojan that has been passed down.
My ignorance lies in the fact that I am a devout
rifle enthusiast, spending little time in the shotgun
field - although upon shouldering the Parker - I don't
know why this has been.
The Parker was used religiously for grouse hunting,
in it's years prior to my receiving it, and sadly , from
a purist point of view, had been refinished - although
very nicely. The mountain terrain and thick high brush
cover of the Catskills doesn't do justice to a fine
weapon - especially when it is religiously -THE firearm
of choice - however careful one tends to be with
their acquired "friend", and for this reason,it seems
it had finally become necessary to have it refinished ?
I would like to know a little about the gun - other
than the obvious. First it has a serial # of 2218##
and I would like to know the approximate year of
manufacture ? I would assume that if it is early -
it would have the shorter 2 1/2 " chambers ? or were
all the Parker Trojan 20 ga's 2 1/2 " ?
Any help will be appreciated
Robert "Zeke"
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Charlie Price
PGCA Member
| Joined: | Sun Jan 22nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Kingston, TN |
| Posts: | 63 |
| Status: |
Offline
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Posted: Mon Sep 3rd, 2007 02:34 pm |
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Zeke:
You are blessed to have inherited a family Parker and I know you want to preserve it and I hope you will use it. The Parker factory records for your gun are in a ledger that is missing and it will probably be impossible to find the original factory specifications. Serial numbers in the range of yours were on guns made in 1927. In this time Parker Brothers of Meriden, Connecticut were producing lots of guns. It should be OK to use modern shells in that gun although the chamber length may be 2-1/2”. Parker guns of that era have a long forcing cone and 2-3/4" shells work fine. I have a 1920 vintage 20 gauge and use 2-3/4" shells. You can easily find 2-1/2" shells if you prefer. Probably there are gunsmiths out there who will try to sell you on reaming the chambers to 2-3/4”. If you wish to have the gun refinished or if it needs repair then proceed carefully and find someone who is experienced and competent. Consider bringing the gun to the annual PGCA meeting in conjunction with the Vintagers near Easton, Maryland later this month where you can get plenty of opinions and advice.
Charlie Price
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Robert Cummings
Member
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Posted: Mon Sep 3rd, 2007 03:18 pm |
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Thank you Charlie for your reply and information.
The Parker has an O frame, very tight, and appears in excellent mechanical condition, with only very slight
pitting in the tubes prior to the chokes. The wood is excellent, but had a small repair at the leading right
edge of the forearm.
Sadly the case colors are no longer evident.
Possibly this forum will spark a "fowling" interest
in this ol' rifleman, for I know "she" hates to be
left out to pasture after all her years of service.
I am as unfamiliar with certain aspects of the computer,
as I am with the Parker - but if someone would "talk me through it" - I'd be happy to send along some photos of it.
Thanks again -and it's a real pleasure to know
that there is a place to get knowledgeable answers
on Parker questions.
"Zeke"
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Drew Hause MD
Member
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Posted: Mon Sep 3rd, 2007 04:00 pm |
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Robert: you might review this old thread ../forum1/2164.html
I once had a 1924 20g Trojan with chambers cut close to 2 3/8". Recoil was wicked with 2 3/4" AA 7/8 oz. target loads.
____________________
http://www.damascusknowledge.com-a.googlepages.com/home
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Robert Cummings
Member
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Posted: Mon Sep 3rd, 2007 05:06 pm |
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Thank you Drew - I will.. Looks like I'll have
to establish the chamber sizes before going further.
I was given both 2 1/2" as well as 2 3/4" shells
when I got the Parker, but these really don't help,
as there was a 20 ga., 3 shot(Browning Pat.) Rem.
Sportsman in the collection as well.
Thanks again -
Zeke
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Austin Hogan
PGCA Member
| Joined: | Sat Jan 15th, 2005 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 1600 |
| Status: |
Offline
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Posted: Tue Sep 4th, 2007 01:59 am |
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Zeke; Clean the bores of your Trojan as you would if you had shot it today. Dampen another clean patch with a little Hoppes, and wipe all the metal parts. A yellow or brown stain on either patch is a sign of rust. If no rust appears wipe down the metal parts with a little RIG or other gun grease, then rub in the grease with a soft cloth or sheepskin.
Wipe the stock with a t shirt like rag. If there are any gummy or sticky spots, put a little mineral spirit on the rag, and wipe again. Examine the stock for missing finish. If the bare spots are smaller than a finger nail, apply a little linseed oil. If there are large bare spots, I'll send you a note on restoring Parker finish.
If there is no rust, and the total area of bare spots is smaller than the palm of your hand, your heirloom will probably remain in heirloom condition if you clean and wipe down, as above, a couple of times a year.
Best, Austin
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Robert Cummings
Member
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Posted: Tue Sep 4th, 2007 12:30 pm |
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Thanks much Austin - I have wiped down the metalwork
and stock and thankfully it has been kept in
excellent condition - although as mentioned - it had
been refinished due to years of usage.
We live not too far from the old Meriden works, so
Parkers were as common as were the rabbits and grouse
in the fields and woods, along with the ducks that
used the Hudson River as a staging area on their flights south in the fall.
Sadly, the 60's seemed to be the turn around in much
we valued as a nation, and guns like Parkers, that
were handed down through generations, were traded in
on the "new technology" of machine work, aluminum parts,
and plastic "High-Tech" stock finishes. Within a few
short years - they began to disappear like the game they
were meant hunt -
Sorry Austin for the added thoughts - I guess
age is starting to get the best of me - and like
once again sitting in an ol' classic car - memories
have a way of coming back atcha' "from both barrels"
Thanks again,
Zeke
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