PARKER RESTORATIONS - Page 3

Bruce Day · 03-01-2011, 02:31 PM

Here is one that has been kept of the sun , not used and handled infrequently since 1928. Another Nebraska gun.

Probably about as new as you will find.

( not mine)

George Lander · 03-01-2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Dallas

Does anyone know what a new Parker looks like? I think not. We may know what an untouched, "new" gun looks like after being stored for 70-100 years, but does anyone really know what it looked like when it came out of the factory? Perhaps the colors have faded a bit, or the wood finish is less shiny, etc.

Many years ago a fellow walked into a gun show where I was set up. He carried a cardboard box marked Parker Bros. Meridan, Connecticut. Inside was a 16 gauge VH Grade wrapped in brown paper. He told me that his father had bought the gun before WWII for home protection and to his knowledge it had never been fired. From all indications what he said was true. I bought it for, I believe $150. I wish I still had it! The case colors and barrel bluing were perfect. It even still had the hang tag.

Best Regards, George

Dean Romig · 03-01-2011, 02:49 PM

I think some of us have a pretty good idea...

Bruce Day · 03-01-2011, 02:54 PM

There are those, George. Quite a few years back, I visited with Ed and Nancy Muderlak at their farm outside Durand Ill. Ed showed me a late Rem Parker Trojan still in the box, still in the wrapping paper, never been put together. That gun was sold to Mark Vollinger who sold it a year later at the Julia auction.

There are those guns out there that are still new in the box, a good friend has several.

Parkerman · 03-01-2011, 04:40 PM

I admire the "perfect" guns that we are permitted to see on our website--knowing that my redone Parker (which I thoroughly enjoy)will ensure that I will always finish out of first place in any "my gun is better than your gun" contest. So what? I bought it for me.

Researcher · 03-01-2011, 04:44 PM

Quote:

If "restored" means to return to the condition it was when it left the factory, there are very few restorations and very few capable of doing them, and a true restoration is costly.

There are many refinished guns that were intended to be restorations.

Bruce just posted the best statement on this subject I've ever read!

Dave

Autumn Daze · 03-01-2011, 05:02 PM

I agree..An excellent statement. But I will impose a question here. In the truest sense of the word.Is it possible by anyone to restore a Parker to "Brand New Condition"? I may be wrong here but I think no. If for not for any other reason. I don't believe anyone has perfectly captured Parker Bros. case colors.

Bruce Day · 03-01-2011, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linn Matthews

I admire the "perfect" guns that we are permitted to see on our website--knowing that my redone Parker (which I thoroughly enjoy)will ensure that I will always finish out of first place in any "my gun is better than your gun" contest. So what? I bought it for me.

Me too. My old grab and go is never going to win any prizes, but it was grandfather's and I've refinished the stock, recheckered the forend, reblued the barrels, reblued the trigger guard, replaced all the action springs, recut the sears, rebrazed the forend lug. Its not restored by a long shot, but its the one that is always with me.

Dean Romig · 03-01-2011, 05:55 PM

Here's one that will never be restored as long as I own it... I enjoy using it too much to make it a safe queen.

.

Bruce Day · 03-01-2011, 06:09 PM

That does it Dean. You guys back east get all the fancy guns and we have to work hard out here to find a few good ones.