Hello, I'm a new member from central Pennsylvania... - Page 3

Keavin Nelson · 09-13-2018, 04:18 PM

Thomas,
welcome to the group, an interesting set of Parkers, obviously your Dad had a flare and knew what he liked. All of the guns have been altered, but that doesn't make them junk. I would suggest an in-hand inspection by a competent gun smith is in order, but Simmons was a well regarded gunsmith concern and I would expect the work to be sound. I am a bit east in Pa., in Hellertown.

Thomas Meloy · 09-13-2018, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keavin nelson

Thomas,
welcome to the group, an interesting set of Parkers, obviously your Dad had a flare and knew what he liked. All of the guns have been altered, but that doesn't make them junk. I would suggest an in-hand inspection by a competent gun smith is in order, but Simmons was a well regarded gunsmith concern and I would expect the work to be sound. I am a bit east in Pa., in Hellertown.

Knowing my old man he found two old clunkers and sent them to Mr. Simmons to be saved. Judging by the fit and finish of the guns Mr. Simmons was a pretty awesome gun smith. The writing on the vented rib is literally tiny! Its actually impressive how small it is!

Thomas Meloy · 09-13-2018, 09:37 PM

I think I saved the best for last on gun # 4. It is Serial # 111695. And Appears to be a single trigger, Damascus, skeet gun??

Thomas Meloy · 09-13-2018, 09:41 PM

Gun # 4..

Thomas Meloy · 09-13-2018, 09:44 PM

Gun #4..

Thomas Meloy · 09-13-2018, 10:00 PM

Come on guys offer me some opinions... I really know nothing much about these. I haven't seen them in almost 20 years. Heres a little of the back story... My Father passed on May 3rd 2002. And I as a young man I had some run ins with the law and was on probation when he passed and for several years there after. So they ended up in my sisters possession. Which I am no longer having those sorts of problems obviously and I still legally am aloud to own fire arms, FYI. Anyway my sister called me up about a week ago and said her and her Husband are getting a divorce and I needed to get Dads guns out of their house as my BIL "highly Covets" them as she put it. And so here we are... Also I should add That I have no desire to sell these and I'm going to keep on loving them as he did...

Keavin Nelson · 09-13-2018, 11:10 PM

#4 was built as a grade PT, meaning grade P (referring to the level of engraving) with Twist steel barrels, 30" long from the factory according to the serialization book. So if they are shorter, they have been cut, as is likely the case with the Skeet/Skeet designation. OR, if that is a Remington repair code, they could be factory added. It has been restocked and re case hardened with the barrels blued (browned originally) and the SST added, aftermarket. All would appear to be well done. As a frame of reference, an unaltered similiar gun in good condition would likely fall in the $700 to $1000 range. (a 30" PT grade gun)

An actual original Skeet Parker is a much rarer item, and would command significantly more.

The damascus/twist guns can be shot, recommended using low pressure loads (such as RST). Again an in-hand inspection by a competent gunsmith would be a good idea to check things like barrel wall thickness, chamber length. A good looking gun certainly worth having it checked out and with the finishes, and upgrades it really creates it's own draw as a unique shooter. There are surviving factory records for your gun, so it would be worth requesting a letter per the link on the home page.

Thomas Meloy · 09-13-2018, 11:15 PM

Ok, well if they are "ruined" value wise because they have been reworked or "altered" to much for original then Just say that, I can handle it.... I do realize that when old guns are substantially altered from what they would have been originally it can substantially lower there "collector" value. I don't really care what there value is. I just want the honest skinny about them and what they are...

Thomas Meloy · 09-13-2018, 11:54 PM

My very last post there I typed and posted before I read your post Kevin, FYI. Just sayin so we are on the same page. I am going a pay the 40 dollars here and become a full fledged member of the forums. I guess I'm going to have to do some studying about these old shotguns and get "schooled up" on them..

There is another old Damascus barreled External hammer shotgun down stairs too. When I said Damascus when referring to the last "skeet gun" and I was speaking of the fancy coloring af the receiver and so forth. Obviously Damascus is something else.. Dad also had Japanese made Charles Daly's and Winchester 101's that I have and old winchesters rifles of my grandfathers and Just all kinds of stuff. LOL I got my work cut out for me!

I guess the last thing is can anyone recommend a person or gun shop around central Pennsylvania to take these to the have them looked over? Maybe some one who specializes in these. I don't want to take them just anywhere. And I would really like to shot maybe one or all of them, at least a little, just to say I did it. But I want to know that they are good to go. I would hate to destroy one of them. Potentially those sleeved ones could maybe be iffy?!

stumpstalker · 09-15-2018, 09:45 AM

Thomas:

The sleeved ones may be the soundest, but find out from a qualified professional. And, after having them examined and shooting them, as you say, “at least a little, just to say I did it”, you may find that breaking clay targets and seeking wild birds while carrying a gun is more fun than rifle and revolver shooting.

The $40 fee is for Membership in the Parker Gun Collectors Association, which organization is about appreciation of the guns, the people who made them; researching them and preserving pertinent records. The Forum is one component of the package, and there surely are very knowledgeable people in the Association frequenting it who are fully-qualified to provide insights.

A few years back, like you, I knew very little about the four Parker guns that were my father’s. I revered the guns, as they were daily material reminders as to the kind of person my father was, but at that time I exclusively shot Remington 1100s. Those semi-autos I had bought to “learn” on, intending some day to “graduate” to the Parkers. (Today I usually shoot the vintage guns, but remain an undergraduate.)

In fact, when I joined by sending in my $40, I had no expectation of participating in much of anything. I had contacted a couple of people who happened to be members so as to learn some basics of manipulating the old guns. And, without the gratuitous advice from such members as Dean Romig and John Dunkel, I probably would have done some damage to those Parkers just trying to figure them out on my own. So, my principle reason for sending in the $40 was to support in some small way the Association because of the help I had received. Since then the benefits to me have exceeded anything I could have anticipated.

And, do tell us about your dog. He looks eager.