Thoughts on GH stock

[Mike Poindexter]

Gents: I picked this up about 6 years ago as a shooter with a repaired/replaced stock. I recently started to shoot trap with it and find the full and full chokes (.039 and .041) are deadly, especially from the 20 yd. line and beyond. I like it a lot. My question today is to ask opinions on the stock. You can see from the pictures that the head has been repaired (nicely, in my opinion) but the checkering patterns are definitely not standard Parker G grade. The points measure out to 20 lpi, which is consistent with other G's I have had, but the layout is completely different and the borders are not mullered. However, the serial number and grade are stamped into the wood beneath the trigger guard, and look like factory stampings I've seen on other guns. I'm sure a competent gunsmith back in the day could have replaced the wood and stamped the numbers in, but what are the odds that the wood is original, and the checkering recut, or simply done that way at the factory. I have a letter on the gun but the order book shows nothing unusual, and there is no stock book. Thoughts?

[Dean Romig]

The numbers stamped in the trigger guard channel are suspect. They’re all different sizes and I’ve never seen such a thing on a Parker before. Probably replaced wood. The checkering is wrong on a few different levels. Certainly not done by Parker Brothers.






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[Richard Flanders]

Are you looking at the upside down 1's in the TG channel Dean??

[Mike Poindexter]

Tee numbers stamped in the trigger guard channel are suspect. They’re all different sizes and I’ve never seen such a thing on a Parker before. Probably replaced wood. The checkering is wrong on a few different levels. Certainly not done by Parker Brothers.






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Heres a pic of a slightly earlier G. I see what you mean about the different sizes. Thanks.

[Dean Romig]

Are you looking at the upside down 1's in the TG channel Dean??


Both 1's are the same size and both 3's are the same size and both 5's are the same size but none are the same size as the others.

But beyond that, where's the blank space surrounding the forend latch?






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[Joe Dreisch]

I owned a GH from 1910 which had a VH stock checkering pattern. Stock dimensions matched the letter and the stock fit like a glove. I figured they fit it up quick to fill an order or it was an employee gun.

In looking at the OP's picture #2 there may be a very well hidden repair of a crack which originates at the trigger guard screw and runs in a open "C" shape. Possibly a bit of custom checkering if repairs were done?

[Mills Morrison]

What Dean said

[Randy G Roberts]

The rear line is wrong as well. This is what it should look like.

[Dean Romig]

Right Randy…

Wow - nice gun!





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[Mike Poindexter]

Good observations all. My gut is that it is a restock, front and rear, with checkering designed to imitate and supplement Parker G grade checkering. Why no third point on the grip panels is a mystery, since the checker went to the trouble of filling in most of the fore end, you'd think he would have put the third point in on the grips. At least I dont have to worry about cracking the stock with 1 1/8 oz. Peters paper shells. Thanks for all the input.

[Brian Dudley]

The gun sure looks to be restocked. The numbers are suspect. Anyone with a set of stamps can put numbers in wood. So the existence of numbers is not the be-all end-all of originality. The overall form of the stock, from what I can see is close, but not right in a few areas. Namely the amount that the bottom of the grip comes down off the toe line is not right at all.

And as we know, the checkering is horribly inaccurate for any Parker. It does not appear to have been refinished or recut. It looks to be the checkering that was put on the stock when it was made, again suggesting that it is a restock.

As for making the gun right, the stock could possibly be reworked for a more correct appearance. But it looks like the damage has been done when it comes to the forend.

[Daryl Corona]

Mike, you said you were happy with the way it shoots so my suggestion is to enjoy it in it's present configuration and shoot the bejesus out of it.

[John Davis]

I get the curiosity factor. But as a trap shooter, if the gun fits me and I can consistently break targets with it, I could care less if it is original or not. In fact, I thank the previous owner/owners for all they've done to the gun.

[Mike Koneski]

I get the curiosity factor. But as a trap shooter, if the gun fits me and I can consistently break targets with it, I could care less if it is original or not. In fact, I thank the previous owner/owners for all they've done to the gun.


AMEN!!!!