Many hours later...

[Brian Dudley]

I have been working in my spare time in the evenings and weekends for the last few months, an hour hear and an hour there, to clean up and "Meriden-ize" a Parker Repro A-1 Special that was "In-the-white".

The Repros were modeled after very late Remington manufactured guns, when frame sculpting got a little less refined than earlier guns. When I really got to studying the lines of the gun, I found a lot of areas to be relatively crudely finished, ie: contour lines that were not true and straight. I set off to re-shaping the frame and refining the lines. My goal was for the gun to look as true to early Meriden manufacture as possible.

The shoe filing on the bottom of the frame was deepened and lengthen back towards the trigger plate. The belly of the frame and forend iron were brought up a LOT and then the radius in front of the trigger plate was defined. The sides of the frame around the hinge pin were also thinned up along with the forend iron.

I rounded up and better defined the front of the side panels on the frame. Also, the bottom of the side panels was brought up by nearly 1/8" and a very hard line was used to break the bottom of this panel. The radius under the panel was taken in for a better transition into the trigger plate.

The trigger plate was converted to accept double triggers vs. the SST that was in it. This process is explained in another thread.

The breech end of the barrels were rounded over at the corners a good deal. This was all taken down to make a seamless transition into the breech balls. The triple beaded fences were also cleaned up and taken in tighter on top and bottom sides.

A major area of refinement was the top lever and the top of the frame where the sighting plane starts. The Later Parkers, and the Repros had a very thick top lever which allowed the concave sighting plane to come very far back onto the top lever. I took the top lever WAY down in thickness and re-contoured it to move the start of the sight plane up closer to the rib extension.
The thumb pad on the top lever was also reduced in size by nearly 50% for a much more streamlined look. Both of these made a world of difference in the side profile of the gun.

The top of the frame behind the bolsters was re-contoured and the line between them and the side panels was refined and sharpened up.

The top tang bevel was sharpened up at the front, and then extended down the full length of the tang as it was simply left flat previously.

Finally a new safety button was made from scratch in the original A-1 style which truly sets the gun apart from the pack.


All of this work also removed about 1 oz. of metal from the frame. Another benefit.

All of the definition of the frame lines makes things a lot easier when it comes time for engraving, so that the border work can be good and true.

Enjoy some photos below of before and after the work above was performed. This work in all was about 20 hours of time.


Left Side Before

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Left Side After

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Bottom Before

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Bottom After

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Top Before

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Top After

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Safety Button Before

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Safety Button After

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Bottom Quarter Before

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Bottom Quarter After

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A few more afters

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[allen newell]

Brian, very nice work. Who will do the engraving?

[Dean Romig]

I would guess GG of course....





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[Buddy Marson]

Brian, I am always impressed by your quality of work and attention to Parker detail!
All the best,
Buddy

[Bill Murphy]

Great file work, Brian.

[Mark Britton]

Just blew my mind ! As it passed over my head. Nice work

[Mark Beasland]

Most have no idea the amount of work and time that kind of detail takes. Well Done Brian!

[Paul Ehlers]

Kudo's to you Brian! The file work on this one is truly outstanding!!! :bowdown:

[Todd Schrock]

Beautiful work Brian!

[Brian Dudley]

This A-1 Special will get restocked and a Meriden SSBP will be used instead of the Repro plate. The photo below will show why. The Reproductions used the same sized ssbp on both 12 and 20g. guns. This results in a butt that is simply too short and way too narrow for a 12g. gun.
An original NOS Meriden plate will be used in the proper size for a 1-1/2 framed 12g.

Meriden ssbp on left and the Repro plate on right.

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[Brian Dudley]

The final piece of metal alteration for this A-1 Special is the trigger guard bow.

This gun started as a straight grip, but the preferred configuration for the build is a pistol grip.

On Meriden built high grade guns (B and higher), the trigger guard bows taper quite a bit as they come into the guard strap/tang.

A Repro DHE PG guard was reshaped in this original high grade style.

These photos show the altered guard next to an unaltered Repro guard.

This is something that Parker Reproductions did not do to any of the B grades or A-1 Speicals.

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[edgarspencer]

This A-1 Special will get restocked and a Meriden SSBP will be used instead of the Repro plate. The photo below will show why. The Reproductions used the same sized ssbp on both 12 and 20g. guns. This results in a butt that is simply too short and way too narrow for a 12g. gun.
An original NOS Meriden plate will be used in the proper size for a 1-1/2 framed 12g.

Meriden ssbp on left and the Repro plate on right.

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I'm glad to see this. I never liked the radius of the repro heel.

[Brian Dudley]

The last bit of metal work that needed to be addressed on this A-1 Repro was, well... the Address.

What is the point in "Meridenizing" a Repro if it still has a Japanese makers mark on the barrel rib.

I sent the barrels to Glenn Fewless to have him laser weld up the whole makers mark. As well as 1" of the center matting so that the length of the legend could be made larger as to fit the new mark.

I then cleaned up the welds by hand.

I then had them rolled with the original Peerless Steel makers marks but Turnbull.

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[Ken Hill]

Brian,

In 50 years, how will someone know this is a customized repro with the markings removed and restamped with original markings?

Ken

[Brian Dudley]

Brian,

In 50 years, how will someone know this is a customized repro with the markings removed and restamped with original markings?

Ken



Serial numbers and barrel flat markings.

[Bill Murphy]

The real answer to that question is "It just doesn't matter." There are so many fakes out there right now that buying a graded Parker 50 years from now, just like today, demands that the buyer know what he is looking at, or just not care. Brian is creating an exercise in gunsmithing, not an attempt to create an original Parker. As the Cobra driver says to his wife, "Sit down, hold on, and shut up", not neccesarily in that order. Go for it, Brian.

[Kevin McCormack]

In 50 years there will be metallurgical DNA tests just like human tissue matching today - able to distinguish and verify Belgian, German, Japanese and US Steel types. Critical analysis for verification of authenticity will involve fanatics taking micro-thatched files to hidden parts of the steel, then analyzing them for purity. 100 years from now, there will be home kits for the DIYs to authenticate grandpop's old bird guns.

[edgarspencer]

Carbon, siliconn, manganese,P, S, Cr, Ni & Mo are elements which do not change when they go on a trip around the world. While these are the basic elements found in steel, the balance of Fe, iron, is still over 95% of the makeup. Regardless the melting method, it is virtually impossible to duplicate the exact chemistry in successive melt batches

[Ted Hicks]

I think that XRF can be used to determine the elemental composition of steel and provide a fairly accurate "fingerprint" of the steel sample. It is a surface analyses technique and the sample tested needs to be big enough. These days they have hand-held analyzers that can provide almost "instant" results. Sulfur and phosphorous may not be detectable that way.

If only a small sample is available, it could be dissolved in a mineral acid and analyzed using ICP-AES which I think can detect and measure all of the elements Edgar listed. I am not a metallurgist but I would venture a guess that the elemental composition would be the same throughout the test sample except, perhaps, for the carbon content. Again I am guessing but I suspect that the carbon content may vary widely within the sample, i.e. higher at the surface compared to at the center of the test sample.

[Brian Dudley]

Another feature not normally seen on a Repro.

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[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Brian, With all the work on this gun how are you coming with your steel barreled 20 gauge. hammer gun, love to see it when it is finished, I know it will be like all your work superb! Gary

[Brian Dudley]

Here is a little update on this Repro A-1 Special project in its current state.

I have stocked the gun and finished the checkering on it. Checkering is 24 lpi and 28 lpi on the cheeks. It is now ready for Engraving. I chose a lighter colored piece of circassian for the gun as it was the look I was wanting to go for. I wanted to go a little over the top on the checkering for this one. It is loosely based on the second Invincible. For anyone interested in taking a closer look at the gun, it will be shown at the NE SxS.

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[Dean Romig]

With an Invincible checkering pattern! Incredible work Brian!!

That round knob grip is special!

Please tell us about the lock screw on the tang screw Brian.
When you first showed it there was no explanation. I saw a AAHE dedicated live pigeon gun on Steve Barnett's table at Ernie's 4 or 5 years ago with that lock screw. It would be the ideal thing on a single trigger gun to prevent anyone overtightening it and throwing off the way the single trigger needs to work properly... but you converted this gun to double triggers.





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[Harold Lee Pickens]

Beautiful job on the checkering

[Robert Brooks]

Wonderful job! Bobby

[Ryan Brege]

Brian,

In 50 years, how will someone know this is a customized repro with the markings removed and restamped with original markings?

Ken

The presence of Ionizing Radiation will be a red flag too.

[todd allen]

Absolutely stunning!

[Brett Hoop]

Just looking at this design makes my index finger stiff and my eyes squint. Brian, I will bet you'll get ask 100 times how long it took to complete. A lot of dulled cutters lead to being able to pull this together, years and years. Great job!

[Brian Dudley]

Just looking at this design makes my index finger stiff and my eyes squint. Brian, I will bet you'll get ask 100 times how long it took to complete. A lot of dulled cutters lead to being able to pull this together, years and years. Great job!

Not too long really. Done over the course of a week. No dulled cutters.

You saw it at the southern, uncheckered. Now it is checkered.

[Ryan Brege]

Oh, and by the way, as a huge Reproduction fan, I think the work is fantastic!

[roger mcmanimon]

Phenomenal work Brian!

[Brian Dudley]

Update time on this one.

Here is a photo that I got from Gournet today on the engraving progress.

The detail on the central bouquet is not done yet.

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[Dean Romig]

Geoffroy is the master!





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[David Noble]

I like where he put his signature. Does Geoffroy sign all his work?

[Brian Dudley]

I like where he put his signature. Does Geoffroy sign all his work?

Not if asked not to. I have seen him put his signature under the safety button before. So it is on the work, but not visible.

[Brian Dudley]

Another update.

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[Dean Romig]

Geoffroy just keeps getting better and better.





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[Andrew Sacco]

Oh my word... there's a signature there???????

[chris dawe]

Seen it on FB ,beautiful job !

[Brian Dudley]

As noted earlier in this thread, an important part of this deal was the making of a new safety button in the Metiden high grade style. Geoffroy did a great job engraving the button and tang.

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[charlie cleveland]

now that's a beauty....charlie

[Brian Dudley]

Here is another photo of the frame from the side. I was visiting Geoffroy yesterday briefly when I was in his area to drop off some other work. I had the chance to see the completed frame in person. It is fantastic! He is working on the small parts now.

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[Daniel Carter]

I am in awe of the creativity, design and artistry involved in the creation of something like this.The ability to conceive and execute this is an under appreciated art which in my opinion is equal or more difficult to anything on canvas.

[Ken Hill]

Brian,

Are you going to case color or French grey the frame. The engraving looks fantastic!

Ken

[Brian Dudley]

Case color. I really do not care for French gray.

[Stan Hillis]

Not if asked not to. I have seen him put his signature under the safety button before. So it is on the work, but not visible.

He also doesn't sign very small works he does that he said might be copied by another, for obvious reasons. I once asked him to engrave the pommel, shield and bolsters on a damascus knife I had. He enthusiastically agreed and started work on it then and there. I asked him if he would put his initials somewhere on it and he declined, with the above explanation. The shield came loose from the tapping of the hammer and he had to take it home to repair and finish the job. When I received it a couple weeks later it was accompanied with a note to look for his initials. He had a change of heart and initialed it for me, and I was thrilled.

He is as much a gentleman as he is a master at his craft.

Great job so far, Brian. Can't wait to see it after the cch is done. Is Turnbull going to do that, and will he also do the hard fitting afterwards, or will you?

[Brian Dudley]

I have never had to deal with any hard fitting with turnbulls cch. Things just go together.

[Carl Marion]

I have a reproduction question. The stock on my Parker 16 guage, VH, 0, serial number 174,124, Vulcan steel is in excellent shape. The pics attached show the condition. Does this matter if not the original?

[Brian Dudley]

You should start your own thread on the topic instead of bombing in on other peoples.

[Brian Dudley]

I absolutely LOVE the little leaf details around the middle screw holes on the buttplate.

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[Brian Dudley]

Geoffroy has the frame for my A1 on display at the southern in his booth. Make sure to check it out if you are there.

[Garry L Gordon]

Geoffroy has the frame for my A1 on display at the southern in his booth. Make sure to check it out if you are there.

I saw it. It’s stunning.

[Brian Dudley]

I got this back the other day and it goes off for case color this week.

I love the little leaves poking out from under the top lever. They are hidden in all sorts of areas of the gun.

[CraigThompson]

Will this be at Hausemanns in a couple weeks ? Like a lot of other things I failed to see it while in Carolina :rolleyes:

[Brian Dudley]

Will this be at Hausemanns in a couple weeks ? Like a lot of other things I failed to see it while in Carolina :rolleyes:

It will not.

[Mark Britton]

Brain It was good seeing and talking to you again at the Southern. I loved being able to see the work in progress and meeting Geoffroy Gournet the engraver. I think it's going to be a lot poking out when this gun is finished.

[Brian Dudley]

I got the case coloring back today from Dougs shop.

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[John Dallas]

Yikes!

[Jim DiSpagno]

Beautiful work in every respect

[charlie cleveland]

is this a 20 ga...sure gona be some gun when finished....charlie

[todd allen]

Beautiful!!!
It's like a piece of jewelry that goes on your shoulder.

[Brian Dudley]

And a couple more hours later…

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[Dean Romig]

I’d like to know exactly how that machining is done so accurately.





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[Brian Dudley]

I’d like to know exactly how that machining is done so accurately.

It really is quite simple, surprisingly.
It is just a matter of moving the table the same distance for each circle. The same goes for each row.

[Brian Dudley]

Wood and metal have come together.


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[chris dawe]

Well done!

[Garry L Gordon]

That's a keeper for sure.:bowdown:

[roger mcmanimon]

Gorgeous!!

[Jim DiSpagno]

Nice. Well done Brian

[Ken Hill]

Very nice work Brian. I hope you are going to shoot it.

Ken

[Brian Dudley]

Very nice work Brian. I hope you are going to shoot it.

Ken

That is what they are made for.

[Mike Koneski]

2023 raffle gun???? :shock:

[Mike Koneski]

That is what they are made for.

EXACTLY!!!! :clap:

[Brian Dudley]

I still have a good amount of details to do on the gun. Like jewel the barrel flats and checker the butt surface. And make a few mechanical adjustments. But it is satisfying to see everything basically assembled for the first time.

[Garry L Gordon]

2023 raffle gun???? :shock:

:rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::r otf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf:


Send me some tickets!!!

[Mike Koneski]

:rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::r otf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf:


Send me some tickets!!!

That would sell out of tickets in a hurry! :shock:

[Brian Dudley]

That would sell out of tickets in a hurry! :shock:

Well, I am hopeful that the actual 2023 gun does just as well. Wink.

[Brian Dudley]

Barrel detailing

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[Garry L Gordon]

That engraving on the ejectors is a really nice touch.

[Brian Dudley]

Here are a few relatively glamorous photos of the completed gun that I was able to take today. It is now pretty much completed. I plan on shooting a round of skeet with it tomorrow.

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[Jim DiSpagno]

Exceptional work Brian. Kudos

[John Dallas]

Great! And a Stormy Kromer to boot

[Ken Hill]

Great looking gun. Hope it shoots well for you.

Ken

[Samuel Studebaker]

Brian, when you replied to a little question the other day, I had no idea who I was dealing with. This is such an amazing accomplishment. Congratulations. I was on this forum when I bought a Parker about 20 years ago, and I forgot how good it is. Nice to be back hearing from such talented and interesting people.

[allen newell]

Brian, your talents are simply amazing.

[Garth Gustafson]

Brian, you were born 100 years too late. You should have been one of the master craftsmen turning out these fabulous A1s in Meriden. An outstanding piece of work.