Need advice on heirloom Parker shotgun

[DanHolt]

I have my father's Parker Brothers shotgun which has not been fired in many years. I believe it's a 16GA. It has Damascus steel barrels. The serial number is 69918. I would like to use it myself and then pass it on to my son. I am leery of entrusting it to a gunsmiths near me for refinishing. I live in Winston Salem NC.
I have a box of RST 16GA shells, shot size 9 which I was advised to use due to the Damascus steel barrels. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Eric Eis]

If you can wait until the end of April, there is the Southern Shoot, and that is where hundreds of shooters turn out and the Parker/LC Smith challenge is held and we have a tent there with probably over a hundred Parker collectors that would give you first hand advice on your gun. Since you are so close you have to come. I come from MI and have been doing it for over ten years, you need to come and talk to PGCA members about your gun.

[Dean Romig]

You can’t do better than that invitation. The Southern Side by Side in Sanford, NC at Deep River Sporting Clays and Shooting Schoot is the best of the best.






.

[Mills Morrison]

Opening day (Eric) gives good advice. Sounds like a good gun

[Brian Dudley]

Yes, attend the southern. Have it looked at by anyone willing to do so at the Parker/LC tent. Bring the barrels to John Hosford in the vendor area and have the barrels measured and get his assessment on it.

Maybe even Go out on the course with some new friends and shoot a round.

[Randy G Roberts]

Dan the serial number you referenced indicates your gun is a Grade 3 with 28"
Damascus steel 16 gauge barrels and a PG stock. A nice configuration in most anyones book. Once again, take it to the Southern and or post some pics here. Also a research letter may turn up some useful or interesting information for you, I would suggest you order one.

[DanHolt]

Thanks to all the comments but I missed the Southern and now live in Raleigh, NC and am very motivated to have an expert refurbish my Dad's Parker. I would be interested in your suggestions. As I recall, there is a well-known company in the New England region that refurbishes Parkers and other old shotguns.

[Mills Morrison]

Bill Graham is near you and does good work.

[Jim DiSpagno]

Steve Parries in Mt Airy. Blue steel gunsmith Does great work

[DanHolt]

Do you have his contact info?

[edgarspencer]

Before you do anything, try and post some pictures. Many will chime in as to whether you will be enhancing or hurting the gun. My favorite expression with regard to restoration is “Its original only once”.

[Dean Romig]

Dan, as far as "refurbishing" your heirloom Parker is concerned, I and many others here might advise against a 'restoration' of any kind, unless it is just a wreck.

A lot of the wear and scars were likely put on that gun by your father through many years of use. It would be a shame to erase those signs of his having enjoyed hunting with it. By all means, have the barrels checked for safe use and if they're deemed good to go by an expert, shoot the heck out of it. For a Parker, even with fluid pressed steel barrels, it is wise to use loads that keep recoil to a minimum. The wood, being at least 130 years old on your gun, is more prone to damage than the barrels.

Those RST shells are certainly the right ticket for shooting a Parker such as yours.





.

[Daniel Carter]

Please show a photo of your gun, there is a huge difference between honest wear and neglect. If it is honest use it is the guns experience, it's history and you will be erasing that. If it was left in a damp cellar for 30 years and rusted that is another story. As Edgar said they are only original once and no one can make them that way again.

[Jim DiSpagno]

PM sent