Trying to know more about Uncles Parker

[Harry Collins]

George,

You have a very beautiful Parker. The "D" grades were often referred to as "Doctors" guns. The book indicates it came with 30" barrels. You have received sound advice on determining its shoot ability. I on the other hand have not had any of my Damascus and Twist Parkers barrel wall thickness checked. My thought is this, if the barrels appear not to have been tampered with they pass my test. I have two Parkers from 1881 with Twist Steel barrels. The 10 gauge I reload for. The 12 gauge and all other twist and Damascus 12 gauge shoot reloads or any off the shelf shotgun shells that are 1 oz or less at 1180 fps or less. The following are some of my choices: Federal Top Gun 12ga 2-3/4" 1oz #8 1180fps 25rd box, Winchester Super-Target Shotshells 12 ga 2-3/4" 1 oz 1150 fps #7.5 25/ct, and here is the one I love, Winchester AA Low Recoil/Low Noise Target Loads Shotshells 26 gram at 980 fps. They will break any target on a sporting clay range and cleanly take all small game birds. RST Shells are probably the best shells for our older guns. They are specifically tailored for appropriate pressure and shot payload.

Harry

[GeorgeMerrill]

Here are some more images that might help. One local dealer suggested that the extra checkering would have been an added special order item, would that make sense? I will get a few more that may help more.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by GeorgeMerrill

Here are some more images that might help. One local dealer suggested that the extra checkering would have been an added special order item, would that make sense? I will get a few more that may help more.

You'll never know about the checkering on the cheeks unless you order a PGCA Research Letter... and that may not even answer your question.
I will say that it doesn't look like factory checkering.

Again, a better picture might be more definitive.





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[GeorgeMerrill]

Sorry, but it seems that quick responses will not allow for the attachment of images...this is the most archaic posting forum I have ever worked with...

[David Noble]

George, don't use the Quick Reply window if you are wanting to post a picture or other advanced feature. Use the NEW REPLY button just above the Quick Reply box. See the blue circled icon in my image below.
From there you can add pictures again just as you did before.

[GeorgeMerrill]

Another attempt at loading images

[GeorgeMerrill]

Harry, thanks for the response. I had not seen anything that would have explained the "D", so appreciate the insight. Not sure I would ever try to shoot it, but happy to pass along the feedback to Uncle. Hhe is 94 and not sure he has any intent to fire it, about was very interested to know about the gun his father left him years ago.

[Harold Pickens]

Seen quite a few D grade guns with checkered cheeks, including my little 1906 0frame DHE 16. Had alot of knowledgeable people look at it with out spotting a repair. Nice old Parker, George. Looks to be in good shape, how do the inside bores look, pitted or in good shape?

[GeorgeMerrill]

The bores are bright and shinny! What is the best way to get a good picture for you?

[Harry Collins]

George,

Sherman Bell wrote a series of articles for Double Gun Journal titled "Finding Out For Myself." The short and long of it is he debunked the dangers of Damascus. Standard 12 gauge loads are limited in pressure to about 12,000 psi. He took two Parkers both made in 1900. One was Damascus the other Vulcan Steel and both were on #2 frames. Each failed at the same spot at about 31,500 psi.

Some gunsmiths would hide repair to stocks with checkering. I have several with repairs in that area sans checkering.

Harry