Parker Stock Finishes

[Theodore LeDurt]

Being new to the Parker realm and a newby to this site, I was wondering if the stock finish inherited on my restocked 1906 DH was typical for the time period?

The wood is quite light for my taste and is the only double I have ever owned that does not have an oil finish stock. My intentions is to remove the "hard" finish, use a dark reddish hued stain, and put an oil finish on the stock.

Having said this, I have noticed numerous other light stocks on various Parkers, as well as few dark stocks. I was just wondering if stock finish dictates the gun era? Thanks for any info.

[Robin Lewis]

I suggest you look at the Parker Grades link on the left side of the parkerguns.org main page. Look at the guns there by following the links to the pictures and note that the pictures increase in size when you click on them. These should answer your stock question, there are many fine pictures to inspect.

[Theodore LeDurt]

That location describes checkering and the type of walnut, be does not discuss finish or coloration, unless I am looking in the wrong place.

[Robin Lewis]

Go to parkerguns.org. Click on "Parker Grades" on the left side of the page. When that page come up, scroll down to the "Parker DH Grade 3" section and then click on the button "View Grade 3 Hammerless Pictures". When that page comes up, look at the pictures for one that has a good view of the wood and then click on that picture, it will expand and give you a good look.

[Robin Lewis]

I think you will find you may not want to remove the finish, it will effect its originality and therefore its value.

[Chuck Bishop]

The vast majority of Parker stocks were finished with shelac and oil (French Polish.) Since you stated that your DH is restocked and not original, I would find a nice golden brown stain and refinish that way.

[Robin Lewis]

Sorry, I missed the restock comment.:o

[Theodore LeDurt]

Thanks, I found the pics you mentioned. My stock actually looks like the ones in the photos, so I guess my wanting a dark oil finished stock is a departure from what Parker offered in the DH model.

[Chuck Bishop]

Theodore,

If you carefully take the screw out of the trigger guard tang (careful to not bugger up the wood screw) gently lift up the tang and rotate it counter clockwise, the serial number should be stamped in the wood. That will tell you if it's original.

[Bruce Day]

xxx

[Richard Flanders]

Can you post a picture of your gun for us Theodore?

[Austin W Hogan]

The hard finish over light wood is characteristic of the Parker shellac and oil "French Polish" finish. This was the standard ( or in modern terms "default") finish for all grades until production moved to Ilion. Linseed oil or varnish finish was available at the customer's request, but is not often found.
I have cleaned up and refinished several Parker stocks that had little finish remaining on them, but have yet to find any residual stain. Dark streaks are sometimes enhanced with what appears to be India ink.
There are dark Parker stocks around. Some are just grimy; others are the result of age darkening of that particular piece of wood.

Best, Austin