What to look for in correct case coloring

[jeffkinser]

Hi,

Hopefully this will be Case Coloring 101 class.

I am new to Parkers and I am trying to learn about Case Coloring. I have attached some close up pictures of a restored gun and was wondering if someone would take the time to explain what it is that you look at to determine:

What is the giveaway that it has been restored?
How do you know if the restoration is a good one or not?
What to look for specifically and where on the gun for red flags that the coloring may not be correct for the Parker genre?
In general, what you use as a guide to determining whether a restoration is up to standard or not.

I know a lot of this is experience and feel, but if you can articulate any of that I would appreciate it.

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[Dean Romig]

Aside from the case color, almost all of the screwhead slots have been filed wider than the original in order to mask the fact that the screws were buggered by the use of a wrong screwdriver.
The metal on the bottom of the frame and trigger plate have been polished down to the point that the border engraving (V-Grade graver walk) is nearly gone in places.

[Russ Jackson]

Jeff ,check your PM's ,Dean it also appears that the bottom plate may be a bit warped and appears to show proud in the picture !

[Russ Jackson]

I am not the most computer literate on here so maybe one of the computer whizzes can help Jeff out ,could anyone tell us how to look up some of the beautiful posts that Bruce Day has posted over the years of the Case Coloring and Original Guns ,these are great study items for all of us but especially to the newer guys in the Parker Fold !Thanks to anyone who could direct the procedure !

[wayne goerres]

That gun has been restored to the point of a shooter. In other words' don't pay much for it . Who ever did the work kind of destroyed it. Dean and Russ are being polite.

[Brian Dudley]

This particular gun has been discussed before and has been for sale on line for quite a while. There is a lot about the gun as a whole that is not legit/correct.

Any case colors that exhibit any sort of pattern such as stripes of waves are not correct bone charcoal type colors.

If you are looking to learn as much as you can about original Parker finishes and appearances, you may consider the couple hundred dollar investment in The Parker Story. It may very well pay for itself quickly by steering you away from a bad deal or two.

[jeffkinser]

I appreciate all of the responses so far..In this case I guess I am not necessarily asking for a critique of this particular gun as much as a general guide for what to look for in determining good or bad case colors...I just added these pictures to discuss from....thanks Brian for the tidbit about the lines and waves

Jeff

[Bruce Day]

If you want to see correct case colors, scroll to the Parker Engraving subforum and look at Parker C Turkish Star. A person could also do a search for case colors. Or you could buy The Parker Story or go to the Southern SxS or go to any of the Parker gatherings.

[Sam Ogle]

Wish my worm eaten old mind could remember who said it; but he said true case colors
"sort of look like oil on water." (Forgive me for a mangled quote whoever you are)
Anyway, one look at that gun, and anyone who has seen Parkers says "Whoa...those colors just aren't right." There is just way too much of a pattern there.
It's an immediate "What the heck?" when you see this gun.

[Brian Dudley]

The "oil on water" look statement was me. Or at least that is the best way that I can think to describe later Parker colors. Kind of a translucent look. Vs. the earlier more sunken in look.

See this album for original case colors on a 1928 made VH.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/album.php?albumid=508

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[David Holes]

Here is an original 16 case and barrel colors. Kinda like oil on water.

[jeffkinser]

Thank you guys, the description and pictures were very helpful. It's not harsh lines and waves but seems to be more splotchy. I know those aren't technical terms but I think it is helping me recognize real vs. cyanide.

I appreciate the responses.

Jeff

[Sam Ogle]

Yes, it was You. When You said this, I thought "Yeah, that describes them."
(Still Do)
Thanks,
Sam Ogle

[Dean Romig]

This Parker VHE was highlighted in Parker Pages recently and belongs to PGCA Member Edgar Spencer. It is completely original and is in near mint condition. These are benchmark original bone & charcoal case hardening colors.



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[Harryreed]

Very well shown!!!

[Brian Dudley]

I was going to call on Edgar to post some photos of his old VHE.

[edgarspencer]

This Parker VHE was highlighted in Parker Pages recently and belongs to PGCA Member Edgar Spencer. It is completely original and is in near mint condition. These are benchmark original bone & charcoal case hardening colors.



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Photos by Mark Oulette.