Top Lever went Wobbly:

[Bruce P Bruner]

First time out with my 1902 GH Hammerless 12 gauge.
First shot, somewhat difficult to open the action. (I only fired one barrel)
Opened the action, retrieved the empty
Top Lever is floppy (easily moves manually left & right with full travel)
What I know:
No lever pressure
Action locks when lever is manually pushed left
Gun cocks and dry fires normally

The top lever directly engages the bolt
The top lever uses a coil spring driven plunger to apply pressure to the lever.

Solutions:
-Exploratory surgery, identify broken part(s), source and replace.
-Send to someone trusted who absolutely knows Parkers.

Recommendations for a master surgeon please.
Thank you

[Mills Morrison]

Best to have someone who knows what they are doing check it out

[jefferyconnor]

An obvious thought is, could be your top lever spring broke. A good gunsmith if available would pull the stock first thing, which requires good screwdrivers and technique, plus a long punch for the sear pin. Once the stock is off it should be clear what broke.

When working on my own double guns, I don’t own a pin punch long enough to drive the pin all the way out. Myself, I wiggle it the rest of the way out out once driven. Reassembly requires, for me, a slave shaft of similar diameter that is pushed out as the sear pin goes back in. I can’t really recommend working on your own guns to most people but I do all my own work when I can, so there is that. Once you know what’s wrong, you could check Numrich or eBay for a replacement. Good luck!

[Jerry Harlow]

1902 GH Hammerless 12 gauge.
The top lever uses a coil spring driven plunger to apply pressure to the lever.


1902 Would have a V-spring. It is broken. Later models used a coil spring in a tube. Requires a V-spring to be fitted. Contact Brian Dudley who can do this for you.

[Jerry Harlow]

I don’t own a pin punch long enough to drive the pin all the way out. !

Use a long trim finish nail with the pointed end ground off. It also works for reassemble by pushing it through both sears to be replaced by the original pin as you tap it back through gently while using your thumb to help align the sears so the pin starts.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Same problem with my VHE 20, Dave Fjelline in Ca. fixed it quickly.

[Bruce P Bruner]

1902 Would have a V-spring. It is broken. Requires one to be fitted. Contact Brian Dudley who can do this for you.
Thank you for that, I guess the newer design was a coil spring.
I'm hesitant to contact Brian, I understand he is booked through the end of the year and not accepting new work at this time. He is indeed "The" Master and having him work on my gun would be an honor, but there are limitations as to what one mortal man can do and still enjoy life.

[Cameron Thraen]

Call Louis Rotelli at 203 788 4920. He may be able to assist.

[Chris Robenalt]

Bruce, your lever spring may not be broke. There's a tiny nipple in the bend of the v spring. It sits down in a hole in the top tang, which keeps it place. It may have fallen of out, due to wear. I've seen it happen a couple of times. Take the receiver off the stock, you'll know right away.

ChrIs, AZ

[Bruce P Bruner]

Chris, I appreciate your insight. I'm not confident to disassemble the gun myself. Steve Bertram over in Boulder has agreed to check it out. He’s within driving distance as I am uncomfortable with shipping so it will get taken care of. I haven’t delivered it yet because my lower back has “Gone South”. I can’t do two hours of driving yet. It’s an easy fix for some guys, I’m not one of them.

[Chris Robenalt]

I understand, they can be intimidating if you've never been inside one. Should be a simple fix, let us know what you find...

Chris, AZ

[davidboyles]

My VHE 28 did the same thing I sent it to Dave Fjeline in Ca> and the turn around was one week excellent work. His # 916 521 1334. Couldn't have been nicer to deal with and he spun my head he did it so fast!!! Lots of people in the Parker Group have used him. Good Luck

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Same here Dave, on my VHE 20. Sent it to Dave in California on a Monday--was back in my hands on Saturday.

[Bruce P Bruner]

The 1902 VH factory “Monte Carlo” has successfully been repaired. It was a lovely drive up towards Ward, Co. through a wide spot in the road called Jamestown. The fall colors were peaking while a gentle rain quenched the dry landscape along the winding road with an adjacent cascading creek.
Steve Bertram hand delivered my repaired receiver/butt stock that required a replacement lever spring. Steve said the spring he replaced was a non-Parker spring from a previous repair. I’m satisfied and relieved the warranted repair was completed in a timely manner and no shipping was involved.

[Gerald McPherson]

That gun sure looks happy!!!

[Mills Morrison]

It sure does! Nothing like the seeing the results after getting a gun refreshed