Parker DH 81588

[Tad Tadlock]

I got my second Parker today. My buddy told me that makes me a Parker collector now :)

https://i.imgur.com/3ZEQmUl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/PGgDas3.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/j9hyuWp.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/yT9b7Rg.jpg

[Tad Tadlock]

https://i.imgur.com/xGGoPHd.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2zGonoc.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/OIIVfmQ.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/a2YefVW.jpg

[Tad Tadlock]

https://i.imgur.com/iTXdXoj.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/H80MUQG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/J0v9eMz.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1gbG0eA.jpg

[Tad Tadlock]

https://i.imgur.com/lG2bSU7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9mWIDLL.jpg

These aren't the barrels that she left the factory with the first time. She must have made a second trip.

https://i.imgur.com/AxWLkI9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/52JreqA.jpg

[Tad Tadlock]

https://i.imgur.com/hewbfZG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/FepP2wa.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4rVBrDp.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/fQkdTU9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1n2ZK2k.jpg

My other Parker can be seen here: NH 61155 (http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=18291)

[Dave Noreen]

That is certainly a combination of grades. DH-grade receiver and forearm, GH-grade butt stock and VH-grade barrels. Looks like it got the post-1910 bolt and bolt plate when the number 2 set of barrels were added. Any clue on the original barrels? The number 2 forearm? Hopefully there will be some great information in a letter.

[Craig Larter]

Could this gun be the earliest DH with Vulcan barrels? Maybe the barrels are original to the gun and it went back to the factory for repair and the new style bolt was installed. I hope you get a letter.
I didn't realize when I first wrote my response above that the gun was in the serialization book and originally was shipped with 30" Damascus barrels.

[Dave Noreen]

Those Vulcan barrels are marked as a number 2 set on the forearm loop, but the forearm is likely the original as it isn't marked with a 2. The sixteen Vul3 guns in the records are scattered from 82275 to 88725.

[Brian Dudley]

Likely a second barrel set added at a later date (post 1910 as Craig suggests). And the original barrels are long gone.

[edgarspencer]

Likewise, it's unlikely a grade 3 gun, irrespective of barrel steel would have originally been fitted with a stock with grade 2 checkering, no drop points, and a small shield.
I have seen DHBP fitted to grade 3, but that gun still had the oval German silver initial plate.

[calvin humburg]

Nice gun Tod, nice engraving. Enjoy ch

[Tad Tadlock]

Thanks for looking at my old gun. I appreciate everyone's observations. I knew that there were some "unique features" on this one. That's why I didn't quibble about the price. I think that I got a screaming deal on this one.

I have no idea where the original 32" Damascus barrels are that she originally shipped with.

I definitely plan on getting a letter for this one and for my NH 10 gauge. I already filled out both of the forms.

[Chris Travinski]

I like the engraving, particularly the floor plate.

[Larry Frey]

Tad,
That's a very interesting gun. When you get a chance look under the trigger guard to see if there is a large R stamped into the wood. It has been discussed here before about the R possibly indicating "replacement" on guns that were restocked at the factory. The DH below letters as a capped pistol grip gun but now has a GH straight grip stock with the R stamped in the wood. The gun was originally made with 30" barrels but now also has a set of 26" barrels and forend that were likely added at the same time the gun was restocked. This additional work did not show up in the letter but there is no doubt in my mind the work was preformed at Parker Brothers.

[Robin Lewis]

Any idea what the 2 is?

[Chuck Bishop]

The stock was from a grade 2 gun. The buttstock is a replacement.

[Paweł Janusz]

I can refinish or restore it for you.

[Tad Tadlock]

Larry,

I looked under the trigger guard as you suggested and this is what I found. It looks a lot like your gun.


https://i.imgur.com/wDB1VRa.jpg


I'm gonna go with believing that this is a factory restock unless someone can show me that it is not.

[Larry Frey]

Tad,
It sure does and I would believe that stock to have been replaced in Meriden. Congratulations on owning your second Parker, I'm sure it will serve you well.