Serious newbie

[Pam Parker]

Hello all, yesterday I was given my father's bird gun by my brother and it is a 12 ga. 28" Parker. Prior to last night, I had never heard of Parker guns, because well, I am not an avid shooter or hunter or collector. I have never owned a gun before, so this is all very, very new. From what I can tell by this very informative site is that it is a 1925 VH #212313. The screw holdng the barrel to the stock (forgive me if I don't use the right terms) is unwilling to turn with the pressure I am willing to put on it (not much for fear of damage) so I can only see the barrel weight 3/9 but not the frame size. I am actually very thankful it is not one of the fancy, very rare guns. Typical of my father (a frugal yankee), he would get a plain but very good quaity gun. He grew up in Sherborn, MA, I was born and raised in Dover, MA and now live in Damariscotta, Maine.

Previously, I have shot some skeet (using .410s) but a good friend really wants me to join her shooting sporting clays. The gun has not been fired in about 15 years, and went out duck hunting last, but has been well maintained, looks to be in very good condition, has little wear, and little corrosion. So, after I have it gone over very carefully, I hope to have some fun shooting with it. My dad would have been 100 yo this year, so I expect he was the original owner of the gun and it feels really nice to have this piece of him still around. I was a late in life surprise to him and he died in 1983 when I was still a teenager, so I never got to shoot with him. I enjoy shooting but will probably never hunt.

Thankfully, I have a number of friends who are very gun savvy and will make sure I get it into qualified hands for cleaning and reconditioning. Is there anything special that I should be aware of, or careful about as I go forward?

Thanks in advance, Pam

[Dean Romig]

Hello Pam Parker! Welcome to the PGCA Forum. What a wonderful inheritance - your Father's own Parker shotgun. It might very well be a good gun for sporting clays but first, you should have it checked out for barrel wall thickness and mechanical function.
It would easily digest the lower pressure loads best - those that can be bought from RST Shotshells. They are easy on the shoulder and kind to your gun too. My parents lived in Boothbay Harbor for many years until Dad had to be institutionalized because of Alxheimer's. I am in Massachusetts.... a flatlander geographically but my mind is always in the uplands of Maine and Vermont.

[calvin humburg]

Your framesize is on the bottom of the barrels when you take them off look at the lug its the square piece that sticks up probably a 2 but who knowes tell us what you find. Don't let anybody get to carried away on cleaning the gun Let your girl trapshooting friend look at it she probably has a good idea what it would need. Somebody may know a good smith in your area. To take the barrel off pull on the lever in the forearm remove forearm then open the gun and the barrels should come off. What does it say on the barel rib abought the kind of steel the barrels are made of. best 2 u ch

[Pam Parker]

Thanks for the welcome all. Stupid question #1, I have the forearm off, the the barrels don't seem to want to come off, should they without removing the screw that appears to be the hinge? It is vulcan steel. The gun appears to have not been shot much.

[Dean Romig]

The top lever should be pushed all the way to the right while also firmly grasping the barrels so they don't fall to the floor. With the top lever at the full right position the gun should break open. If not it may have some rust preventing that but this isn't likely - probably just some hardened grease or crud in the pivot mechanism. Try thumping it over your knee to pop it open.

[calvin humburg]

That screw has nothing to do with the barrels coming off.

[Richard Flanders]

I love stories like this! Welcome to the forum Pam. Once you shoot the old gun you'll be in love I assure you. They are a joy to shoot. I too have an inherited V grade that was my mothers that I cherish. Treat yours well and it will last generations.

[Jack Cronkhite]

That screw has nothing to do with the barrels coming off.

Pam: Calvin is so right. Forget you ever saw that screw - hard to do as it is so obvious. More people have tried to undo that screw, thinking that is the way to remove the barrels. Very often, the screw head is damaged as a result. The thread is very fine and the fit very tight and it takes a lot of controlled torque to undo but.......there is seldom any need to do so and if there is a need there will be a visible broken part.

Progress slowly. Continue to ask questions before doing anything to your Dad's gun. Take time to read the FAQ's section and the Technical information section, which shows the parts that go into making the gun. Someone will likely be able to recommend a Parker knowledgeable gunsmith for you.

I'm going to guess you have the barrels off by now. It is easy enough, once you know how to do it. If you don't have them off by now and you have the forend off and have tried pushing the top lever fully to the right and still the barrels are not easily removed, then stop and wait for gunsmith info. Likely the only thing it needs will be a good cleaning - once every century is reasonable.

You are lucky to have a family gun like this. Enjoy it. Post pictures too. We all enjoy seeing any of these great guns.

Cheers,
Jack

[Chuck Bishop]

Welcome Pam!

If you have the forarm off and move the top lever over, do the barrels pivot so the chambers are exposed? If so and the barrels won't lift up and off the receiver, then the cocking hook is not releasing from the bell crank in the well of the receiver. You need to have the hook clear the receiver before the barrels will come off.

I'll try and supply the link to a previous thread which should give you some help. If the link doesn't work, search this forum, type in "Barrels won't come off" and find the thread titled "Stuck Parker Barrels." Hope this fixes your problem.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/search.php?searchid=121906

[Dave Suponski]

Hi Pam and Welcome! If you are still having trouble getting that great old gun apart and can wait until January 1st. A bunch of us are getting together at Major Waldrens gun club in Barrington,NH for a little shooting then. Come on down and we can have a look at it.

[Richard Flanders]

Be sure to bring some shells along Pam....

[Pam Parker]

Thanks everyone! The gun opens easily so the chambers are exposed and I came to the conclusion that the screw doesn't have anything to do with removing the barrels from the stock and thankfully didn't try to mess with that. I fiddled around trying to get the barrels off and it felt like something was stuck. I will read the stuck barrels thread, and will try again tonight. I really am very excited for all the reasons mentioned above along with appreciating quality old things like furniture, boats and now this gun. I am still in a little shock that I am now a gun owner . . . after almost 30 years here I feel a little closer to being a real Mainer (though I will always be "from away").

How do I tell if it is equipped with ejectors? The .410s I have shot, popped the cartridges right out. Oy, this learning curve is going to be steep. Thank you for your patience and support.

[Chuck Bishop]

2 easy ways to tell. Look at the chambers, an extractor gun will have one solid lifter that lifts both shells for hand extraction. An ejector gun will have that lifter split down the center, one for each chamber. The other way is to look at the underside of the forarm. An extractor gun will have only a cutout for the release mechinism. An ejector gun will have an extra cutout with 2 little hammers in the cutout.

[John Dunkle]

Hi folks....

First of all - Pam - WELCOME!!! In reading your thread, it sure looks like you have many assisting you - so, I'm just here to welcome you on board!!

Also, I don't know where you are in Maine - but a bunch of Parker folks are getting together on January 1st in Barrington, NH for some shooting, swapping "tall stories" and bragging about our guns - and you would be most welcome to come on by - shoot some Parkers - and the folks can give you and assist with your Parker...

Finally - I'm going to move this thread into the General Parker Forum, so others can join in if they've missed your thread in the "Introduction" Forum..

My Best to you,

John

[Robin Lewis]

Hi Pam, welcome aboard!

If you have some time to do a little reading, one place to start learning is the Parker FAQ link off our main parkerguns.org page. There you can read about extractors and ejectors, find a list of Parker books, learn about Damascus steel and a host of other topics. Most are short reads but some have links off to areas with a lot more information on some topics.

Robin

[Dean Romig]

John, I can't believe you don't know where Damariscotta is.... You must have been theah befoah - for Pete's sake John, there's a Rennie's right in the centah of town so I know you've been theah. Damariscotta is right acrost the rivah from Newcastle and about a mile East of US Rte. 1.

Pam, don't feel bad about being "from away". My parents lived in BBH for about thirty years and though they were accepted and loved by the locals they were never considered "Mainahs". Heck, even if you were born in Maine but your parents were "from away" you still wouldn't be considered a true "Mainah". Tim Samples tells us "If the cat had kittens in the oven you wouldn't call them "biscuits" would ya?"

Hope to meet you on New Year's Day in NH

[Pam Parker]

Ayuh, so along with being a long time "summer complaint", I went to school up here and I was married to a local (Skowhegan local that is) so I kinda had an "in". Dean, I keep my boat in the far west side of BBH, close to Blake's, where did your family live?

Back to guns, definitely not an ejector. I will try to get over to NH, it sounds like a blast (sorry, I couldn't resist). The FAQs have been VERY helpful, really the whole site has been, and broken into digestable bits. There is so much info out on the web, it can be totally overwhelming.

[Dean Romig]

Pam, my parents lived on Townsend Ave. directly across the street from Grover's Hardware in the former "Flora Fickett House". To get to the Rotary you walk right up the granite steps from the street and across my parents lawn on a little 'right of way' walkway.

We're all happy to help you and are glad to see that the FAQ's are helpful as well.

Dean

[Pam Parker]

This is question is probably equivalent to asking a bunch of women what hair products to use, (as many different opinions as people) but I will give it a go as I checked the FAQs and forums but didn't see the specificity I am looking for.

I need to buy some cleaning and maintenance supplies, recommendations on the basic tools, cleaners, and oils? I have lots of experience with fine leather, steel, not so much. Please name names.

[Dean Romig]

Hoppe's No. 9 and a cleaning rod with a swab and a copper brush for general cleaning inside the bores and the outside metal surfaces. Ballistol (sp?) for exterrior preservation and weatherproofing.

[John Dunkle]

Hoppe's Bore Snake or Kleen-Bore ClayMate
Hoppe's #9
Silicon cleaning cloths
12GA Patches (or your hubby's old T'Shirt you've wanted to get rid of, but he wont give up (sorry - I'd use names here, but I don't know his name??;) )
Hoppe's (or equivalent) 12 GA Copper/Brass/Bronze or Plastic Brush
Hoppe's (or equivalent)12 GA Swab
12 GA plastic coated cleaning rod
High Tensile/Temp grease (any kind - I like Mobil 1)
Gun cleaning rug (so it looks good while you are cleaning your Parker ;) )
Ballistol or Sheath
Break-Free Collector
A quality Gun Case for transporting
Period correct Leg-o-mutton case
Beretta Shooting Coat
Browning Shotshell Bag
A...

Oh wait - this list is for you - and not for me, right???

:)

As a special favor - I know a local retail firearms store that sells all that, too... ;)

Best to you!

John

[Tom Carter]

Hi Pam, I like the things mentioned but Shooter's Choice is my favorite bore cleaner. It removed plastic (from the wads) better than anything else I have ever tried. Tom

[John Dunkle]

....I need to buy...recommendations on the basic tools...
Hi Pam,

Sorry - I missed the tool section... That's easy... And it will save you some money, too..!!! :D ;)

I'm CONVINCED that NO average firearm owners should EVER be permitted to own or use any of the following within 10 feet of any fine old shotgun. ;) They include:

Hammers
Screwdrivers
Dremel Tools

;)

John

[George Lander]

Hello Pam & Welcome: I'm well over 1,000 miles from you but as you can see this Forum puts us all much closer. You have had some great recommendations from some very knowledgeable Parker folks, but John D's last reply says it all. Find a good Parker gunsmith & let him go over your gun and then show you the proper way to care for it. Better still, joing the PGCA and look up members in your area for their advice.

Best Regards, George Lander
Lexington, South Carolina

[Pam Parker]

Very funny John! but never encourage a woman to accessorize. I am already dreaming of a new carry case. My dad's old vinyl one is servicable and sentimental but I think the gun "needs" a nice case, but that will have to wait. Thankfully the x hubby's old t-shirts are long gone, but I have plenty appropriate rags. I mainly use my Dremel on my dog's toenails, would never dream of using a hammer, and quickly put down the screwdriver.

Heading out to local shop after work, everyone's recomendations are much appreciated. If anyone needs help on restoring/cleaning/maintaining vegetable tanned leather let me know . . .

[Pam Parker]

Thanks George, hoping to join PGCA this evening. Is there a list of Parker familiar gunsmiths posted somewhere?

John, were you referring to a local shop to you or local to me or are you in Maine?

[Richard Flanders]

John works at Kittery Trading Post...

[John Dunkle]

Thanks George, hoping to join PGCA this evening. Is there a list of Parker familiar gunsmiths posted somewhere?

John, were you referring to a local shop to you or local to me or are you in Maine?
Hi Pam (and all ;) )

Pam - you can join PGCA on-line - and it's pretty simple.. Either way you decide is just fine, OK? But - Membership does have it's privileges - and I've heard, but can attest to that your PGCA Membership card allows you to:

1) Pass on a two lane highway - on the right - where it's permitted;
2) Remove the "DO NOT REMOVE UNDER PENALTY OF LAW" tag from your pillow and mattress;
3) Discounts of up to 15% on AARP singles dances;
3) Borrow Parker Shotguns from other PGCA Members - and they buy the ammo;
3) Add an extra point to either trap or skeet;
3) Flashing your PGCA Membership card in front of your teenagers will instantly make them obey;
3) Allow you to drink a V8 fruit mix without having to slap your forehead;
3) Allow you to drive a Por....

Oh nevermind.... Your PGCA Card - don't leave home without it... :) (And oh - I made some of the stuff above up from my imagination - guess which one?? ;) )

And oh - here is that on-line link....
http://parkerguns.org/forums/payments.php

Anyway - if you are looking for a great 'smith to just clean up and check out your Parker - I know one locally in Portsmouth NH.. BUT - for restoration, I'd probably have other suggestions, OK??

As for the store - it's in Kittery Maine - Kittery Trading Post- been there for I guess about 10 years or so?? - and I used to be one of the Asst Managers in shooting sports, I'm now the Manager of Internet Firearms, Senior Trader, Senior Sales, etc., etc., etc.... Don't be worried about the "Senior" titles - it doesn't mean I know anything - it just means I'm old and been there for a long time???...??

Best to you!

John
(BTW - this message MAY BE SEVERELY EDITED upon me re-reading it when I get home..??!!! :) )

[Dave Suponski]

John,I am glad you qualified the Senior = Old identification. You saved me the trouble.....:whistle:

And as Murphy would say.....Shhhhh...Buzzards

[John Dallas]

Pam - A bit off topic, but... have you ever visited the Wendell Gilley Bird Carving museum in Southwest Harbor? One of my favorite little museums.

[Bruce Day]

Very funny John! but never encourage a woman to accessorize. I am already dreaming of a new carry case. . . .



A new gun case or perhaps from the same maker the lady would also like a toiletries train case with trays French fitted to hold Lalique perfume bottles? John, a gift perhaps?

A shooting trip would require both. Made right in Kansas.

[Bruce Day]

Or perhaps something a little less?

[Pam Parker]

John, I was just at the KTP on Sunday picking up a trigger lock. My friend Sabrina (trap shooter) was back in the shotgun corner trying on a Browning shooting jacket when I found her. Good to know senior whatevers in the right places.

Big D, no I haven't been to the Gilley museum, though I have heard of it. Unfortunately, I am normally in SW Harbor on work time, but I might get there via boat next summer, affording me more time to browse.

Oooo, what pretty cases. There is a leather shop right in town that does some nice work, I may "commission" a soft case from them. I like being able to pick the hides and hardware myself and am a fan of simplicity. Suggestions on attributes of a soft case? I am assuming some padding, felt lined? flannel lined? wool fleece lined? Interior straps and pockets? A commercial design that people like?

[Pam Parker]

Bruce, is that alligator on the hard case? The "hard" leather cases look lovely and are probably easier to load and unload than a soft case. I have to admit that I am probably a bit of an anomoly, I have only one purse . . . and no serious cosmetics case. Don't ask about shoes tho.

[John Dunkle]

Hey Pam..!

Yep - if you are ever in KTP - just ask if "John D." is around, OK?? Most folks know who I am - and after they roll their eyes - probably let you know if I'm around..?? However, my wife has always told me she can hear me on the 1st floor even before she comes up to the Firearms Department - but, I'm not sure what's up with that?? I've been trying to break out of my habitual shyness..?? :)

....Don't ask about shoes tho.

I am never having you meet my wonderful wife. I always thought a couple of pairs of "good sturdy shoes" were enough..??? I'm thinking she is trying to achieve a "group buy" price on all hers - with the "group" being just her..??

Anyway...

I just processed your PGCA On-line Membership.....

WELCOME TO THE PGCA!!!!

:cheers:

John

[william faulk]

Hello,
There is a master gunsmith in Rocky Mount ,Virginia that worked for Galazan and Ithaca.He is from Ferlach Austria where he trained.Gunther Pfrommer is the best "doubles" man that I have ever had work on my guns.
He recently repaired a 1927 Ithaca for me that was doubleing,actually hand made new sears.He replaced all springs and cocking rods as well.
Very fast turnaround

phone is 540-484-5555

[Pam Parker]

Thanks John. The shoe thing just crept up on me somehow, I have to admit that I have 3 pr of hiking type boots (good sensible shoes and my favorites), 4 pr of riding boots (my second favorites), the rest, well, are "work" or party shoes. Why there are so many? Like I said, they just sort of accumulate, even with those of us that are pretty sensible, so go easy on your dear wife. I expect she can counter with a quick calculation on the number of guns, from what I have observed with a number of friends, those accumulate pretty quickly too. ;)

[Bruce Day]

Bruce, is that alligator on the hard case? The "hard" leather cases look lovely and are probably easier to load and unload than a soft case. I have to admit that I am probably a bit of an anomoly, I have only one purse . . . and no serious cosmetics case. Don't ask about shoes tho.

That one is owned by a close friend, and no, its Cape buffalo. The hard cases protect the gun. A period correct case for Parkers is a leg of mutton case, the second one. The fellows up there can help you find one. They are attractive, protect the gun and are not costly. Old ones will need some leather repair and rejuvenation. I will too.

[Richard Flanders]

Pam: If you make and line your own case with felt, just make sure it's wool and not cotton or anything else that will absorb and hold moisture.

[william faulk]

Him Pam,
I was with Jones-New York and Nine West for 20 plus years.
Our slogan was, "A woman can never have too many shoes".
God bless all of you,you kept me in guns and groceries.
Bill Faulk

[Pam Parker]

Glad I helped you out Bill.

Finally got the barrels off, a little lube was all it needed. Now opens and closes smoth and tight. It is a 1.5 frame. Did a very quick cleaning, it was put away dirty 15 years ago, and now the bores look smooth and shiny. Barrel color is dark bronze all the way, with a couple of little scratches on the bottom, stock has a couple of very small places where the shellac (I am assuming it is shellac) is off. Will post pictures soon.

[Richard Flanders]

#1-1/2 frame. Lucky you Pam. Nice! They're a bit slimmer and quicker than a heavier #2 frame IMO. Of all my Parkers, the very best shooter for me is a straight gripped 26" VH12 with a #1-1/2 frame.