Parker brass pin repair

[Mark Larson]

I know that Parkers can be susceptible to cracking at the head of the stock, as many boxlock guns can, and there are lots of ways to deal with that, one of the most common being brass pins or wood dowels through the head of the stock. Just in case there's anyone here dealing with that issue, I thought I'd share a recent repair on a Parker 16 that had brass pins showing on each side near the head of the stock. The repair was solid, but very unsightly. I ended up using thin walnut veneers and blending the edges into the rest of the stock. The stock was in pretty rough shape initially, but now you would never know it was worked on. I've worked on a lot of Parkers, and they are particularly well suited to this kind of repair, since there is a lot of wood at the head area to work with.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/marklart/ParkerVcloseup_zps5ce35e87.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/marklart/Parkervoverallview_zps92f78ff0.jpg

[charlie cleveland]

nice work for sure... charlie

[Mark Larson]

Thanks Charlie.

[Justin Julian]

That's my gun. A 16 gauge VHE that nobody else wanted on GB for about a grand because it looked so bad, especially the stock. To give you an idea of how good Mark's work is, you have to see the "before" photo, which is posted below. Of course, the hot bluing on the frame will soon be replaced with real case colors, and the good news is that the barrels have their original rust blue. More to follow in the future, but for now, check out how the stock looked before Mark worked his magic...

[Paul Ehlers]

Very nice work !!

I love seeing the before & after pic's. It's great to see what can be done to save these great old guns.

[Justin Julian]

If you think that's impressive, go to Mark's website (link below) and see what he can do in terms of blending a wood extension on a cut butt stock. Think how many times we have all passed on an otherwise beautiful old double for a low price because the stock was cut too short for our use...now that I know what Mark can do to rectify that problem, and at an affordable price, I could kick myself! :banghead:

http://www.marklarsongunart.com/#!extension-blending-portfolio

[Brian Dudley]

Yes, walnut vaneer is the best way to rid ones self of a pinned head. I have done it a few times as well. And the line that defines the cheek panel is a great place for the vaneer seam to hide.
It sure beats checkered side panels if one does not want to take that route.
Nice work Mark.

[Stephen Hodges]

Justin, congrats on taking a chance on that gun and winning! I watched that gun for it seemed months and kept trying to convince myself to buy it but the pictures and condition scared me off. Great find:)

[Mark Larson]

Yes, walnut vaneer is the best way to rid ones self of a pinned head. I have done it a few times as well. And the line that defines the cheek panel is a great place for the vaneer seam to hide.
It sure beats checkered side panels if one does not want to take that route.
Nice work Mark.

Thanks Brian, I appreciate it. That means a lot coming from a stock maker. :)

[edgarspencer]

What ever happened to all the old gunsmiths who repaired these split stocks with an internal staple?

[John Campbell]

These lower grade Parker stock heads failed because of the properties of Black Walnut. And there were many means of "repair". A staple is one. But not the most durable with the glues of those days.

Cross-bolts of some sort were ugly... but they generally held.

Today, we have other means -- and Mark Larson to make them invisible!

[Brian Dudley]

What ever happened to all the old gunsmiths who repaired these split stocks with an internal staple?


I just repaired a split DH a couple days ago with an internal staple. It was a gun with a split head that someone with a pin hadn't gotten to yet. That is half the battle these days.

[Justin Julian]

For some additional photos of the amazing before and after stock work that Mark did on this gun, go to the Restoration forum and look at my new thread regarding this 16 gauge VHE restoration. To my eye, the new wood finish really "pops" when contrasted with the new case colors.

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

Justin: It looks like you took a so-so gun and turned into a very nice keeper. If I may ask so to put this in perspective ,what was the cost? Thomas

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

Justin: thanks for your PM.Thomas