Parker 16 ga DHE question

[Mitchell Nahra]

I am new to the site. I received my first Parker Reproduction about 10 years ago as a gift. It's a sweet 20ga that I've really enjoyed shooting North Dakota and South Dakota pheasants. This prompted me to add a Parker Repro 12 ga. Of course this just led to a desire to ultimately own the real McCoy! I recently purchased a Parker DHE 16ga serial#234046. The gun was apparently a special order for a left handed shooter. The double triggers are set up for a lefty and there is a slight left handed cast to the stock. As a left handed shooter I couldn't pass this one up. When I received the gun I noticed a small crack in the stock at the "toe" of the butt section. It seems stable but I do not want moisture to enter and weaken it futher. I also do not want it to propagate.Can this be easily repaired? Could it be filled with a wood glue? I also noticed that there seems to be two "cores" in the wood at the butt of the stock which appear to have been created. The ckeckering extends right over the two round cores and it appears that the surrounding wood is consistent. I was wondering if any one is familiar with this or if these were created when the left handed cast was created? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I believe I've been afflicted with the Parker disease! Thanks.
Mitch

[Christopher Lien]

Hi Mitchell,
WELCOME! to the PGCA site, We are happy to have you here... Nice DHE 16 you have, take a look at this thread link attached below as it may help you with a few of your stock repair questions...

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1251

Best, Chris
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[Greg Baehman]

Nice gun!

The wood cores you see are actually wood plugs, your gun's stock was apparently hollowed out to either balance and/or lighten the weight of the gun.

I would recommend you have an experienced stock fixer "look after" the crack---you certainly do not want it to grow.

[Bill Murphy]

Greg did not mention that the "plugs" are common and done at the factory when the gun is built.

[Mitchell Nahra]

Gentleman, Thank you for the advice and information!
Mitch

[Mitchell Nahra]

Does any one have a recommendation for a good "stock man" in Ohio.I live near Cleveland in northeastern Ohio. Thanks again!
Mitch

[Steve Parker]

I would recommend this group for stock repairs, etc.. They did a very fine repair on a Parker Trojan for me. They are well know for excellent work. They are located near Cambridge, OH.

http://www.stocksbyumberger.com/

Steve

[Forrest Smith]

Maybe 30% of Parkers I've seen have that crack (often very small) and or couple small ones behind the tang. Don't shoot skybuster loads and hope for the best. If it chips out, epoxy it back in. I'd think the intletting of the stock for the skeleton plate would support that particular crack well, if the plate is original to the gun.

[Bill Murphy]

If I fear losing a piece from a stock like the one pictured, I put a piece of tape over the crack when hunting or shooting on a clay target field so that the broken piece is retained if it breaks. I did this on a wonderful skeet grade Model 42 Winchester for years. When the piece broke out, it was saved by the tape. It was worth the effort. If the crack never moves, no harm done.

[Mitchell Nahra]

Gentleman. Thanks for the responses. The piece seems to be stable and not cracked all the way through. With pressure on the corner the piece reduces and the crack becomes nearly invisible. I was wondering if I should try to inject some glue/epoxy into the crack and then compress until dry. On the other hand maybe best left to the pros. Does any one have experience with these types of repairs? Thanks for everyones input. Mitch

[Jay Gardner]

Something special about a Parker 16 ga D-grade. Beautiful gun. Surprised no one has ask the size of the frame.

Cheers,

Jay Gardner

[Mitchell Nahra]

Jay,
It's a number one frame. 28" barrel with improved and modified chokes. The chokes are set up for a lefty. 141/4 lop. First time that I ever owned a gun made for a lefty!
Mitch

[Jay Gardner]

Very nice, Mitch. Better make your way up to MI this fall and see how it handles grouse. With those chokes and 28" barrels your options are unlimited.

JDG