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Marvin Kells
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| Location: | Atlanta, GA |
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Posted: Mon Sep 24th, 2007 10:21 am |
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As you may recall from my previous posts, I'd been in search of a Parker Repro for some time and finally found one I liked at Chadick's. Unfortunately, the gun doubled on every shot (SST) so I sent it to a gunsmith in NC (at HC's direction and expense). It is a very long story, but the gunsmith was not able to make the repair and I ultimately returned it to Chadick's for a refund.
But all's well that end's well. I found the perfect gun, a Parker Reproduction A-1 Special 20ga with double triggers!
Attached Image (viewed 996 times):
 Last edited on Tue Sep 25th, 2007 12:46 am by Marvin Kells
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Harry Collins
PGCA Member
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Posted: Mon Sep 24th, 2007 11:25 am |
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WOW!
Harry
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Joe Bernfeld
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Posted: Mon Sep 24th, 2007 11:27 am |
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A-1 special with DT?! Congratulations! I've seen plenty with SST but none with DT. Where did you find it?
Joe
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Marvin Kells
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Posted: Mon Sep 24th, 2007 11:43 am |
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I know what you mean. After all the doubling issues with the SST, I decided I'd have to go with a DT, straight grip 20ga. So, I checked all known dealer sites every morning while waking up with a cup (pot) of coffee.
Then I saw it at Cabelas! Not only a DT, but an A-1 Special 20ga at that! As soon as they opened I was on the phone.
Just received it on Friday and I couldn't be happier. Absolutely perfect condition without a mark on it. It has been fired, but apparently not much (I'm soon to fix that).
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Ed Blake
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| Joined: | Thu Jul 27th, 2006 |
| Location: | Manakin, VA. |
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Posted: Mon Sep 24th, 2007 12:31 pm |
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| As my kids would say, "Man, that's sweet." Enjoy.
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Albert Zinn
BBS Member
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Posted: Mon Sep 24th, 2007 02:31 pm |
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Marvin:
Remember, before you do anything else: coat the receiver with a thin coat of Tru-Oil and let it dry 48hrs. It will preserve the delicate case colors.
Gorgeous gun!! Congratulations!
Al Zinn
ps: Funny - my DHE repro with SST was unfired when I got it six mos ago. Trigger has worked perfectly from the beginning.
Guess I was lucky...
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Albert E. Zinn
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Bob Dombeck
PGCA Member
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Posted: Mon Sep 24th, 2007 11:43 pm |
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| That is one gorrr-geous gun!!!
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Marvin Kells
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Posted: Tue Sep 25th, 2007 12:01 am |
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Al,
Thanks for the tip. I'll pick up a bottle of Tru Oil tomorrow. How best to apply the thin coat? Small paint brush? I assume I'd need to use it on the fore end hardware as well.
As to the SST problem, I was just unlucky (or lucky since I subsequently found the A-1). The gunsmith said it looked to him like somebody had been inside "messing with it" previously. When I got it back, it was improved but still doubled about half the time. Given his comments, I called Herschel Chadick and he had me return it to the same gunsmith and gave me a refund (great guy to do business with by the way).
So while this all this was going on over several months, I found an A-1 Special in 12 ga. Got it in, and same thing (though not as bad as the DHE). I returned it immediately because I just couldn't stomach the idea of two Parkers out to gunsmiths at the same time. And I really didn't like the 12 nearly as much as the 20.
Anyway, that's as short as I can make the story, but as I said "All's well that ends well" couldn't be truer than in this case. And it is ironic that I ended up with one gun that encompassed the best traits of the other two (20 ga and an A-1).
Marvin
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Bill Murphy
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| Joined: | Mon Jan 10th, 2005 |
| Location: | Maryland USA |
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Posted: Tue Sep 25th, 2007 12:24 am |
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| Marvin, an alternative to Tru Oil is some Behrens spray lacquer product, don't know exactly which one. Oscar Gaddy, a very scientific minded gun refinisher recommended it to us several years ago, before his death. Maybe someone remembers exactly which product it was. Whatever, it sprays on very lightly eliminating any problem you perceive with the Tru Oil. No, I have not used either, I just wear it off and don't protect it. My Repro has about 100 rounds through it and it looks like it's been hunting for five years. The receiver color is very sensitive to hand contact.
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Steve Havener
BBS Member
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Posted: Tue Sep 25th, 2007 01:07 am |
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| If you decide to go the Tru Oil route thin it down about 18 to 1 with mineral spirits and apply two coates with a camel hair brush. I use an eye dropper to measure the Tru Oil and mineral spirits. Be kind of careful applying the thinned oil mixture if it runs down into the action it can be a mess. No problen if you get a little on the wood just wipe it off before it drys. Last edited on Tue Sep 25th, 2007 01:22 am by Steve Havener
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Joe Bernfeld
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Posted: Tue Sep 25th, 2007 02:18 am |
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Marvin, I've tried all 3 methods on Parker Reproductions. Put nothing on the case colors and they get a great silver polish everywhere that's not protected (highlights the engraving). I tried spray laquer but the problem there was when wear in the case color did become evident, it was in strange looking patches where the laquer wore off first. Tru Oil is easy; just rub on a light coat with your finger and remove excess with a rag (I didn't find thinning necessary). Doesn't seem to last long though. How ever you decide to go, the colors will wear off fairly rapidly if you carry the gun a lot.
Joe
Last edited on Tue Sep 25th, 2007 02:22 am by Joe Bernfeld
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Angel Cruz
PGCA Member
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Posted: Tue Sep 25th, 2007 02:36 am |
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I`m new to the club and to the world of Parker Guns. I`ve seen a lot of Parker Reproductins for sale. I`m confused. Why would you buy a reproduction? Is it not a fake or are they just as good as the real Parkers? By reading up on the history of the Parker Guns I know there`s nothing like a real Parker. If you can set me straight I`ll appreciate it.. Thanks..
Angel..
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Angel Cruz
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Richard Flanders
PGCA Member
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Posted: Tue Sep 25th, 2007 02:49 am |
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| Marvin. Regardless of what you coat the receiver with to protect the colors, one of the main causes of color wear is the abrasive wool felt in the case where the receiver rests. Mine wore right through the colors in two days of riding around in my car, without being taken from the case. I wrap a soft flannel cloth around the receiver when I case the gun and that seems to protect the colors. That's the nicest Repro I have ever seen. I hope you shoot the bejeezus out of it...
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Sam Ogle, Lincoln NE
PGCA Member
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Posted: Tue Sep 25th, 2007 02:54 am |
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Angel..........they're fakes. Please send me one if you run across it to protect yourself from this blatent misuse of a grand old name......lemme see: I have a double trigger 28 gauge straight stocked reproduction, so need a 12, a 20, and oh, yes......One of the "B's" or an "A-1 Special" fake would suit me as well.
I shot at 25 targets a couple days ago with my fake.. except for a train wreck on #2, I ran-em.
I love double triggers the way a cat loves a nap and a dog a bone.
And, keep a keen eye open for the dangerous damascus barreled guns as well.....
Yours in jest,
Sam Ogle, Lincoln, NE
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Sam Ogle
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Dave Fuller
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| Joined: | Thu May 24th, 2007 |
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Posted: Tue Sep 25th, 2007 03:17 am |
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Angel,
There is often debate about the Reproductions. They were made in Japan which bothers some people and they do not have the hand-fitting or hand engraving of a real Parker.
That said... they are damn good copies and most parts are virtually interchangeable with the originals. They were made to exacting standards with modern materials. Some people (me at least) would rather hunt with a Repro because they don't have to worry about modern ammo damaging their guns and they are not as concerned about degrading a collector gun. I own both Originals and Reproductions. The Repros may not have the character of an original but they a beautiful guns and handle superbly in the field. They too are becoming collectable.
At $3000 - $6000 each "fake" is not a word we see too often in reference to these guns. Read The Parker Story Vol 1 for more info.
DaveLast edited on Tue Sep 25th, 2007 03:18 am by Dave Fuller
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Bruce Day
PGCA Member
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Posted: Tue Sep 25th, 2007 05:02 am |
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Angel Cruz wrote: I`m new to the club and to the world of Parker Guns. I`ve seen a lot of Parker Reproductins for sale. I`m confused. Why would you buy a reproduction? Is it not a fake or are they just as good as the real Parkers? By reading up on the history of the Parker Guns I know there`s nothing like a real Parker. If you can set me straight I`ll appreciate it.. Thanks..
Angel..
Mr Cruz, some collectors find it difficult to find small bore guns, such as 20 ga or 28 ga , in moderate grade and condition, and at reasonable price. The Reproduction guns handle well, shoot fine and have great looks, so they want them.
D grade or higher small bores in Parker Bros or Rem Parker are difficult to find and costly, and that has been the niche intended for the Repro.
Some advanced collectors will have original small bore guns, yet have a Repro. Repros are respected guns, just not given the same regard as the originals, nor the same price.
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Bruce Day
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Marvin Kells
PGCA Member
| Joined: | Mon Jun 18th, 2007 |
| Location: | Atlanta, GA |
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Posted: Tue Sep 25th, 2007 10:31 am |
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Joe Bernfeld wrote:
Marvin, I've tried all 3 methods on Parker Reproductions. Put nothing on the case colors and they get a great silver polish everywhere that's not protected (highlights the engraving). I tried spray laquer but the problem there was when wear in the case color did become evident, it was in strange looking patches where the laquer wore off first. Tru Oil is easy; just rub on a light coat with your finger and remove excess with a rag (I didn't find thinning necessary). Doesn't seem to last long though. How ever you decide to go, the colors will wear off fairly rapidly if you carry the gun a lot.
Joe
Joe,
Based on your experience it sounds like you'd recommend just shooting it and letting it wear naturally. Correct? Or do you recommend applying Tru Oil? I was wondering about build-up of Tru Oil on the receiver if reapplied since you mention it doesn't last long. I've seen photos of the finish where the case colors have worn away and liked the silver finish (although I've never seen one in person).
MarvinLast edited on Tue Sep 25th, 2007 10:37 am by Marvin Kells
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Marvin Kells
PGCA Member
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Posted: Tue Sep 25th, 2007 10:58 am |
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Angel Cruz wrote:
I`m new to the club and to the world of Parker Guns. I`ve seen a lot of Parker Reproductins for sale. I`m confused. Why would you buy a reproduction? Is it not a fake or are they just as good as the real Parkers? By reading up on the history of the Parker Guns I know there`s nothing like a real Parker. If you can set me straight I`ll appreciate it.. Thanks..
Angel..
Angel,
I'm new to the world of Parkers too. And whether reproductions or originals they are beautiful, well made, guns that beg to be shot.
In addition to the comments others have already made, I'd add that I bought a Repro because I wanted a high grade small bore Parker. With Repros in "as new" condition I knew exactly what I was getting when I made the purchase.
Such is not the case with original Parkers. First such guns are difficult, if not impossible to find. Then you have to consider is it an "original" or "restored" and what about the mechanical condition? Then what is it worth? Without experience and considerable expertise (both of which I lack) I found the process of finding an original Parker frustrating and risky.
Marvin
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Marvin Kells
PGCA Member
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Posted: Tue Sep 25th, 2007 11:09 am |
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Richard Flanders wrote:
Marvin. Regardless of what you coat the receiver with to protect the colors, one of the main causes of color wear is the abrasive wool felt in the case where the receiver rests. Mine wore right through the colors in two days of riding around in my car, without being taken from the case. I wrap a soft flannel cloth around the receiver when I case the gun and that seems to protect the colors. That's the nicest Repro I have ever seen. I hope you shoot the bejeezus out of it...
Richard,
Thanks for the kind words and tip on the case. Since I fully intend to shoot the "bejeezus out of it" I appreciate everyone's feedback on how to keep it looking beautiful. Since you have a Repro, which camp are you in regarding case colors? "Tru Oil" or "Natural"?
Marvin
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Bruce Day
PGCA Member
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Posted: Tue Sep 25th, 2007 12:19 pm |
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| Mr Kells, if the colors do get worn to silver, others have had them redone in the bone charcoal method by Turnbull.
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Bruce Day
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