What do I have here?

[J.Fife]

Rather than starting a new thread I figured I would add a few more questions to this one.

As many have stated, I am really becoming interested in this new Parker I have and Parker's in general. Spending lot's of time reading up on them and looking at others...may have been bitten by a bug. I think I may take edgarspencer's advice and get myself an Xmas gift of a membership.

Couple questions I have;
Any good cleaning tips? What would be the best method to remove the surface rust in the pics....as well as blemishes on the Damascus barrel?

Also, what exactly does it mean if "the numbers are not in the book"? I plan on gathering info on the history of this Parker.

Lastly, I mostly only hunt whitetail. I would like to take this in the field to give it a try, and was curious what most would hunt with a gun like this. Where I live, game birds can be though to find. (sorry for the "new guy" questions, but I have never shot double barrel antiques)

[edgarspencer]

In the strictest sense of the word, at least as it pertains to firearms, your gun is an antique. However, using a quality low pressure load from RST, you will find shooting it no different than shooting any modern day double.
The 'Book' refers the the Serialization book. This 'book' has a lot of missing guns, as the original Parker paperwork was less than organized when it was assembled, and published. There may be other data available though, and a note to the researcher will get you an answer as to whether a letter can be written on the gun.
Cleaning old guns is a highly debated topic, and there are as many suggestions as there are respondents. I use WD40 and 4 ought steel or bronze wool, though finding 0000 in bronze is tough on a good day. Go very lightly and let the WD40 set for a while. It will get underneath, and lift any loose rust. If there are remnants of case colors on the lock plates, go extremely lightly, if at all. Your wood looks so nice I'd be inclined not to do much at all. The barrels can be sent off to one of the better known smiths who specialize in Damascus browning. They come alive when properly restored.
Don't hone the bores. a good scrubbing will make them alot nicer without removing wall thickness.
DON'T use your gun for any slugs or heavy buckshot loads, as pressure goes up and you stand the good chance of ruining the gun.
After getting the trigger pull sorted on on my grade 2 a6ga. hammer this year, that gun has become my all time favorite sporting clays gun. Hammer guns just seem to balance so well.

[Ed Blake]

Your hammer gun would be fun at the sporting clays course, or any type of clay shooting for that matter. It likely has too much drop for trap, but that can be solved with a riser on the comb. I use one to shoot doves and small game. Very nice Grade 2.

[Brush Buster]

J Fife ,I got in on this thread a bit late ,if you are still following this thread go to the PGCA Home Page and look down the column on the left side you will see PGCA Letters ,Click this and then click where in Red it says " Click " then put your Serial # in the box available and you will see there is information available for Serial # 94841 ! If you then become a PGCA Member one of the Percs is, you are able to purchase a letter for $40.00 instead of the $100.00 for a letter purchasing non member ! Also we have a For Sale Section available to Members Only and The comraderie in the PGCA is far and Above the cost of Membership ! Welcome Aboard ! Russ

[Richard Flanders]

Mr Fife: once you put a box of shells through this beauty.... you will be hooked for life. They shoot very well and are more fun than a guy should be allowed to have. Everyone on this forum will back me up on this one.... so be prepared... and buy lots of shells.

[David Hamilton]

I for one would use Balistol ot remove rust. It is very effective usinf only rags to wipe. The effect is slow but in a year all rust will be gone. David

[J.Fife]

Based on the pictures on the first page, can anyone identify what choke the barrels have? Thanks in advance.

[Richard Flanders]

No one can gauge the chokes from a picture. They need to measured for constriction. If you are anywhere near one of our members with the tools they would likely be happy to help you with this.

[J.Fife]

I have a feeling this is a dumb question, but I'll ask anyway. I left my turkey gun at camp and opening day is tomorrow. I have a few other shotguns to pick from here, but I thought of trying out this Parker on some turkey. Bad idea?

[OH Osthaus]

Originally Posted by J.Fife

I have a feeling this is a dumb question, but I'll ask anyway. I left my turkey gun at camp and opening day is tomorrow. I have a few other shotguns to pick from here, but I thought of trying out this Parker on some turkey. Bad idea?

not a dumb question- look in the hunting forumhere - lots of turkeys on both ends of the Parkers


pattern it on a turkey target (you can find them to download on the web) to know the limit of its effective range

and stay away from those modern turkey magnum loads - call RST and have them send you something in a larger shot size that won't beat the gun or you.


then have fun -