Beavertail forend on 1904 parker

[Neil Compton]

I just purchased a 1904 parker S# 124375 which has a beavertail forend on it but from what I have read this is to early for this but all S# match. Any thoughts on this.

[Rick Losey]

the serial number is on the wood? or just the iron?

[Robin Lewis]

In the FAQ page off the parkerguns.org page is this link, it may help....

http://www.parkerguns.org/pages/faq/BeaverTail.html

[Neil Compton]

I don't remember seeing a S# on the wood. Where should it be located?

[Dean Romig]

In the channel after you remove the forend iron.






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[Brian Dudley]

Photos please...

[Neil Compton]

1st set of pictures

[Neil Compton]

After reading the FAQ it looks like this was not original from the factory but it could have been sent back to the factory for change. I found a remark on the barrel flat ( J. Austen) the u was struck upsidedown. Does anyone know who J Austin might have been?

[Brian Dudley]

Not factory and not done by the factory on a return.

What they did with the drawbolt on the forend is similar for what Winchester was doing with the BRFEs on model 21s. So that is where the inspiration came from.

I have no idea who austin is. Likely just the guy who owned it.

[Dave Noreen]

Jim Austin, New England Arms, Kittery Point, Maine?? That beautiful old barn paneled in Cherry on the "stern and rock bound coast."

[Dean Romig]

I would think he would have been more discreet than to stamp his name on any gun he might have touched...






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[Neil Compton]

Thanks Brian for your help.

[Craig Budgeon]

I can not believe Jim Austin would ever have requested anyone to stamp his misspelled name into the barrel flats of a Parker. It may be the most crude stamping I have ever observed on any gun.