16 GH Project

[Jerry VanHorn]

Far more experienced Parkerphiles than I have already given you their opinions. I'm a 16 fan, and have 2 GH 16s. I will just say this....when you start getting estimates...(hard to do correctly without gun in hand)..or invoices for work you have had done...or asked for a time frame...You will be shocked..I would very seriously consider the advice you have been given..because you can bet that all the ills that this gun needs to be shootable...have already been addressed and paid for by these opinions..A word to the wise...................

[Jay Oliver]

I appreciate all of the advice and I should have known better when I bought this one. I couldn't help myself when I saw it was a 16 though...

I don't want to put $4k in it right now, I would like to save it at some level if possible.

I don't need to rush into anything on this one. I did buy that #1 frame stock off Ebay just in case. If nothing else, my inventory of Parker parts is increasing.

[C.O.B.]

The increasing parts theory is a good one for this gun. I have restocked two Parkers and your looking at $3000+/- for wood and labor alone and the wait time could be a couple of years. Add in the cost of it's other issues and you could buy a decent DH/DHE 16.

[charlie cleveland]

if you can do some work yourself i believe you can make a shooter out of this gun...if the stock you bought fits your off to a good start....charlie

[Matto]

But its a 16 ga. and all of us 16 ga. guys have a soft spot for all 16 ga. If you can save her that would be great. Yea its going to cost a bunch but its a16 ga. I'm getting a GH 16 done right now at Bachelders. When that gun gets done I'll send ya pictures to inspire.

[C.O.B.]

No one likes 16's better than i do (13 at last count) but some dogs don't hunt and this is one of them.

[Spin Drift]

Um, guys, just checked the book and this is the second hammerless and first G grade 16. Does that change the calculus on bringing the old girl back to life? Somebody please double check my research.

[Jay Oliver]

I like the idea of putting money into a 16 DH or a hammer gun instead, neither of which I have. The only 16 I have is a VH. That was one of the reasons I jumped on this one even given the condition...so I would have 2. I am $800 in it and maybe I will luck out with that other stock and have a shooter/rainy day gun.

I will file this under I am old enough to know better, but did it anyway.

[Jay Oliver]

Mike, I will check the serialization book too. That would be an interesting point of distinction if it was the first 16 gauge GH.

From the letter, I don't have an individual name listed from the order. The gun was ordered by Griffith & Sample of Louisville, KY on August 6, 1889 and shipped on November 11, 1889.

[Spin Drift]

The first 16 hammerless is a D4. IF the book is accurate then you have an entry for Parkers Found. Personally, I'd save up to restore/conserve it.