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Tom McNeff
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Posted: Wed Jun 29th, 2005 03:33 am |
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I'm new to this forum. I signed up to this site over a month ago......and have thoroughly enjoyed the flow of expertise crossing my screen whenever I tune in.
I have been a Parker owner since my father's death in 1991. He was the obvious and previous owner of the Parker I hold now. He was also a gun collector in his late 20's prior to WW2. The only piece to survive in his collection was this Parker. Mom didn't want a bunch of guns all over the house when they got married. So, it was her or the collection.
My "annual event" is cleaning this Parker S/S 16 ga.VHE whether it needs it or not. I like to leave it out for a week or so to see it and reflect on all of the hunting dad and I did in my early days. He bought me a Herrington & Richardson 12 guage single shot for $13. That gift still sits next to the Parker after all of these years. It was at a time when automatics were really the sign of the times. Dad pinned me to a single shot so that I would learn to make the only shot count......not to blast away in a hale of buckshot. He was right.
I know that this Parker has never been reburbished or changed. By its serial number I know it was made in 1924. I have cleaned it the same way dad did when we returned from a hunt. I know there was a time when he took the gun apart in greater detail, and that is where I have questions. That was not done in my presence.
I have never taken the trigger assembly apart due to FEAR. Have always thought that it would be like putting a GM engine back together. Dad always inpressed upon me what the inside of the barrels should look like. "Dorothy Hamil should be able to skate down both barrels without falling on her ass", he would say. He would be proud to see those barrels in their same condition, and Dorothy is welcome to put on her skates and trek the 28 inches. I have put this 16 ga. up on a video web page showing the gun on all sides. I would appreciate any comment to taking anything apart for a further and deeper cleaning. I think the video shows a good close-up of all the screws to it's assembly. If this is something that shouldn't be done by me, I will accept that recommendation as well. Also, I think the video shows the blue casing colors well. Can someone tell me what percentage of blue this Parker still has. Thanks in advance.
http://www.mcnefffamily.com/dadsgun/dadsgun.htm
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Tom McNeff
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John Davis
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Posted: Wed Jun 29th, 2005 10:57 am |
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| Very nice gun and the video is too neat. John D.
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James Lastinger
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Posted: Wed Jun 29th, 2005 11:20 am |
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Tom,
Thanks for sharing. Do you know the history or origin of the beavertail?
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James Lastinger
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Asa Kelley
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Posted: Wed Jun 29th, 2005 11:29 am |
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Tom,
I really enjoyed watching your video. If you think that the interior of the gun needs to be inspected and cleaned I would without a doubt send the gun to a professional Parker gunsmith that has the correct size screwdriver bits and take down knowledge. The cost is usually less than $150.00 including shipping and that is a small price to pay compared to replacing screws and repairing splintered wood if you don't have the correct tools and knowledge. Asa Kelley
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Tom McNeff
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Posted: Wed Jun 29th, 2005 11:47 am |
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| Thanks for your response John. A great feature of video in showing a gun is the use of the pause button when stopping to take note of something specific. In my case, any response to any part of the gun
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Tom McNeff
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Bill Murphy
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Posted: Wed Jun 29th, 2005 12:40 pm |
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| I would look for Remington repair codes on the flats of the barrels (two letters and a number) to explain the fancy beavertail forend. I would suggest "added aftermarket checkering" on the buttstock rather than a restock. It is a beautiful gun with lots of nice finish. Do I detect a screw head at the front of the forend? That would suggest a Parker or Remington installation. The forend wood is a bit fancy for original (when manufactured) installation of this forend. Disassembly further than the three main pieces (barrels, forend, stock/action) should be professionally done. It is a tricky procedure and prone to damage the gun.
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Tom McNeff
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Posted: Wed Jun 29th, 2005 01:14 pm |
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| Thanks Asa. My stomach was telling me to be as smart as you suggest about the cleaning. I just had to hear or see it from someone who knew better as well.
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Tom McNeff
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Tom McNeff
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Posted: Wed Jun 29th, 2005 01:34 pm |
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James- I don't even know what a beavertail is. My Parker and shotgun education is very lacking. There should be a temporary license issued to me .....even just to hold a Parker. I have been backtracking in the forum to find as many posts that might pertain to my gun. The beavertail has only come up so far in terms of fit. Bill Murphy has made mention of it (beavertail) as well. I have some homework ahead of me in this regard. He has listed some things for me to check, which I hope to follow a reply of words or pictures.
James, were you asking me about beavertail history knowledge in general...........or more in regards to the beavertail history of my Parker?
Many thanks to your response.
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Tom McNeff
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James Lastinger
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Posted: Wed Jun 29th, 2005 02:20 pm |
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Tom,
I am a neophyte in Parker knowledge compared to many members of this Board and I defer to them. I asked the question about the beavertail forearm because I think your gun is too early to have an original beavertail. Its easy to verify whether the barrels had an original beavertail by looking at the bottom rib between the forend loop and the barrel flats. I am not good at describing thinks, but for the beavertail, this area is not a part of the rest of the rib. Instead, it is a separate piece that is in fact a part of the forend loop. If needed, I'm sure someone else can do better with the help and maybe even a picture.
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James Lastinger
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Bill Murphy
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Posted: Wed Jun 29th, 2005 03:20 pm |
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| A clear picture of the bottom of the disassembled barrels from the breech to the front of the forend mounting surface would answer our questions about the Remington repair codes and the originality of the beavertail forearm.
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Austin Hogan
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Posted: Thu Jun 30th, 2005 02:21 am |
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Tom; That is a fine display of your heirloom. It is an absolutely lovely gun, and an example of a really treasured gun that was especially well cared for.
The 1923 catalog first lists the trap fore end, and also offers retrofits of trap fore ends to earlier guns. I note in the first scan, that the forend screw is visible, indicative of the proper loop. The checking on the BTFE is reminiscent of early SC's, but has the additional fleur de lis.
Take down the gun and look at the number stamped on the after locking lug. I froze the frame showing the opened gun, and comparedt to two VHE 16 's in this s/n range. The chamber thickness of your gun appears greater than these two one frame guns. A 1 1/2 frame and a BTFE would be in line with a trap 16.
I would propose that the wood work of this gun was finished, and the checking pointed up by Frank Lefever and Sons of Frankfort NY. Mr Lefever was chief gunmaker at Remington prior to WWII, and he and his family operated a custom gunsmithing operation through the 1980's..
Best, Austin
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Tom McNeff
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Posted: Thu Jun 30th, 2005 03:30 am |
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| Bill-On the same end that you noticed the screw is a black "non-wood" or "non-metal" inlay. Is that anything common to a Parker? Also the picture at the right, should there be a question as to the fit (metal to wood) on the breech end? Thanks for your help Attached Image (viewed 760 times):
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Tom McNeff
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Posted: Thu Jun 30th, 2005 03:41 am |
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Bill - I hope this picture is as sharp as they need to be. I found no letters/number of any kind on the bottom of the barrels. The forend metal that faces the barrels has the gun serial number and what appears to be a Patent Date of May 7, 1901 with the last "1" in 01 having a downward arrow pointing or the combined appearance of a "1" and an "L". I went over barrels and forend with a sizable mag glass and nothing else was to be found.
Tom
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Tom McNeff
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Posted: Thu Jun 30th, 2005 03:45 am |
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Bill-I am adding a blowup photo of the only thing read. I hope this gives some insite on this Parker. Your comments will be appreciated.
Tom
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Bill Murphy
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Posted: Thu Jun 30th, 2005 11:03 am |
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| Some other poster will tell you whether Remington or Parker installed the special "beavertail type" forend lug (not done on your gun) on the barrels when installing an aftermarket beavertail forend. The added square bulkhead on the front of the forend metal to receive the reinforcing screw is characteristically non-factory, probably welded in place, and very well done and proper reinforcement for the new forend. The added checkering on the stock was probably done at the same time that the excellent aftermarket forend was installed. This is a wonderful gun and like Mr. Hogan says, very characteristic of Lefever and Sons repair work. Last edited on Thu Jun 30th, 2005 11:04 am by Bill Murphy
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Austin Hogan
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Posted: Thu Jun 30th, 2005 01:06 pm |
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The horn inlay on the forend tip is also characteristic of Lefever work. I'll post some pictures of an Ithaca Lefever A, with refinish by Bob Lefever later today.
Best, Austin
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Jay Gardner
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Posted: Thu Jun 30th, 2005 05:02 pm |
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| I would just like to add that I imagine that your father is looking down upon you with great pride. I can only hope that one day my daughter or a grandchild honor my memory in a similar way. You have a beautiful gun and a tremendous perspective for what these guns mean to many.
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Weathered corn, an apple left unnoticed on the tree, the crunch of frosted stubble underfoot, wood smoke in the evening - these things remind me of the wild, fall days of boyhood...the best of those days were the Saturday's, afield with my dad.
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Tom McNeff
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Posted: Sat Jul 2nd, 2005 05:56 am |
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Austin- I have been intentionally slow to respond to your posts, because I am very much a layman to the terminology of all of this. I have, though, figured out some of your response, but have questions about others. I just have to gather them to make sense. I look forward to your Lefever picture post. thank you very much for your comments. Will touch base with you when i get back to Houston. Have a good 4th!
Tom McNeff
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Tom McNeff
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Tom McNeff
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Posted: Sat Jul 2nd, 2005 06:15 am |
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Hi Jay-I think Dad is looking out for all Parker owners. For a daughter or grandchild to honor you the same way can done if you follow 2 simple steps. First, show them your Parkers. Tell them why they are so different. Craftmanship can be a very long conversation. The art and detail is another. Secondly, plant yourself in a picture that looks somewhat like the one I've attached (my Dad)...........hang it on a wall in your house............and you will never be forgotten.
Jay, I hope you,John Davis, James Lastinger, Asa Kelley, Bill Murphy, and Austin Hogan have a Happy 4th of July.
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Austin Hogan
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Posted: Sun Jul 3rd, 2005 12:31 am |
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Tom: If you can scan that photo, without compressing it , and send it to me with a few lines , we will put it in the next issue.
Best, Austin
austin.w.hogan@valley.net
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