Parker 10ga. info. needed please

[Bruce Day]

People who are not used to mechanical devices regularly confuse a date stating that a component of the article is patented with the date that the device was made. Nice guns are still found in outbuildings and closets, and estate sales too as we have recently found. While I mention sometimes about nice guns on the east coast, in truth it seems nice Parkers can be found in every area of the country where there were hunting areas. The Great Plains are no exception, as there have always been some wealthy landowners and sportsmen out here who had good guns. Many great Parkers have come from the Platte River Valley of Nebraska, known for waterfowling and closeness to upland game, and the land is rich enough to support spending for costly guns. Even now, holdings valued in the tens of million dollars are common with landowners wintering in condos or second homes in Florida and Arizona. My grandfather used to go from Iowa to Tampa every winter and he had a low grade Parker.

[DaveSmith]

OK, here we go.
photo's are not to good. only have a web cam.
complete SN - 121381
pat. dates 1872, 1874, 1876.

any info / help will be appreciated.

thanks, Dave

ps - as found condition, not cleaned or oiled yet.

[Harry Collins]

Dave,

You have a 1903 low grade Parker that is in "that's a damn shame" condition. Because it was your grandfathers Parker you could go to great expense to have it restored. I think I would give it a good wipe down with Hoppes #9 solvent and leave it in as found condition.

Kindest, Harry

[DaveSmith]

Originally Posted by Harry Collins

Dave,

You have a 1903 low grade Parker that is in "that's a damn shame" condition. Because it was your grandfathers Parker you could go to great expense to have it restored. I think I would give it a good wipe down with Hoppes #9 solvent and leave it in as found condition.

Kindest, Harry

from what i have read online it is possible to have the barrel "fixed" by heating and then welding the break back into place. but that barrel could never be fired again. that said, i have been thinking if it was repaired like that could a sub-caliber barreled incert be put into the barrel? say a .30-30 incert. the ones that slide into the chamber and are held in place by a threaded keeper at the muzzle. i figure the gun is in such bad shape anything that is done could do no more harm.

Dave

[Harry Collins]

Dave,

Briley makes 20 gauge inserts for 10 gauge guns. I have not looked in a long time, but the cost was about $600. There are those out there that have tig welded Damascus barrels back together. Others still will monoblock your barrels with steel tubes that will let you shoot the same gauge or one gauge down. A restock may cost as much as $2000. There are more options, it just depends on how much you want to spend and who will advise you of all your options.

Harry

[Bill Murphy]

Restocking a gun with a hopeless stock is as much of a problem as fixing a blown tube. This gun is beyond restoration, financially. Six thousand dollars worth of work will make a non original two thousand dollar shooter with no collector value. I have done it a couple of times, but I had a bit better gun to work with. By the way, a P marked late hammer gun is an unusual Parker.