First Parker Repro (w/ Questions)

[Steve Zivkovic]

I've always admired Parkers and Parker Reproductions. When I saw a reproduction that was close to my preferred specs at what seemed like a fair price I decided to treat myself. Its a 20ga with 28” barrels, has the pistol grip and beavertail I insist on and the vent rib I prefer. Weight is 6lb-4oz. Double triggers I can take or leave, though they're useful for a fixed choke gun (Skeet In / Skeet Out). Two negatives; extractors rather than the ejectors I'm used to, and a 14” LOP to what appears to be a checkered stock.


https://i.imgur.com/Lf2PCQUl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/t1tYh24l.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/EQMbMHol.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/xdzaqAOl.jpg

I have a few newb questions. How does that stock come off, by removing the (2) tang and trigger guard screws? With no through bolt? I'm guessing not, but are the extractor changeable to ejectors? Can the auto safety be easily disabled?

If I decided to remove the checkered butt and install a pad, what would be considered correct? I like a black Pachmayr SC pad but maybe some red/orange/brown pad would be a better choice. I'm not sold on leather covered pads, just personal preference.

Lastly, how do SK IN and SK OUT translate as far as choke constriction? It seems like it might mean different thing from different manufacturers? I've shot 50 skeet and 50 SC targets and it seemed break 'em just fine.

Good to be here, TIA for your input.

[Steve Zivkovic]

As a follow up, I don't think this gun is a reproduction. The marks on the flats say Parker Bros w/ 1887, 1910? and 1905 patent dates. Doesn't say Reproduction or Winchester or Japan anywhere on the gun. Did I make an expensive mistake?

FOR SALE LISTING (https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/parker-shotguns-reproduction/parker-gh-20ga-28-beavertail-reproduction.cfm?gun_id=102890482)

[Dean Romig]

For such an unusual (unique?) Repro, I don’t think I would alter that checkered butt… it’s the only one I’ve ever seen or ever even heard of… That, combined with the vent rib, makes it likely to be 1 of 1.

Great price too!!

….Wait a minute… That’s Not a Parker Reproduction!!



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[Daryl Corona]

It's not a repro. Could you take pictures of the water table and any engraving on the rib if present? What ever you do please don't add a pad and destroy that checkered butt.

[David Livesay]

serial # 179839 ???

[Steve Zivkovic]

From a value standpoint I'd like to confirm I didn't overpay for a mislabeled gun?
It locks up smooth and tight with a satisfying "click".

https://i.imgur.com/kVHaMKKl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JYcZUhPl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/xWki5Wal.jpg

[Reggie Bishop]

A good friend who was an FBI agent told me once that the best way to recognize a counterfeit $100 bill was to spend a lot of time looking at original $100 bills. Not trying to be snarky but that same advice applies to Parker shotguns. The seller did list it under the wrong category, it isn't a Reproduction, but his ad did state that it was a GH grade. It has been re-finished entirely to say the least.

[David C Porter]

After market vent rib. Skeet in & out appears to be recent stamping & serial number on water table appears to be over stamping on some of the numbers. G I Listing states 3" chambers (most likely opened up). I'd get a letter on this & check serial number on barrel to see if it matches. I'd Mike the barrel chokes to see what you have

[Dean Romig]

My guess is that it is a DelGrego upgrade.

The barrels are originally from a DH or Grade-3 as indicated by the “3” stamp on the rear of the right barrel flat.



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[Bill Murphy]

The skeet markings are most likely Del Grego stamps, but not the best he has ever done. The seller confuses "reproduction" with "restored" or "refinished". We still want to see better pictures of the top of the rib, including at the breech. It may be a set of original vent rib barrels. I don't think the price is too far off.

[edgarspencer]

Does not have the LDG in circle mark of DelGrego upgrade. Barrels are correct for a GH, see PS in circle. 3 is barrel weight, not grade, and no grade stamped at rear of right barrel flat.

[Steve Zivkovic]

Thanks for all the information. Rib photos are below.

SN's on guard, receiver and forend iron all match.

https://i.imgur.com/nWjGckcl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/xzNm2Mtl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wZSJbuFl.jpg

My total price was $4800 but my preference was a Reproduction just because I like newer stuff. OTOH I feel like I'm unlikely to find this configuration in a repro, esp. at a similar price point.

[edgarspencer]

The Serialization book says 179839 is a 28" 20ga. V grade, but the book has been known to be incorrect in the past. The vent rib, shown in the GI listing is not of Parker origin. A gun of that SN range would not be stamped PARKER on the bottom of the receiver. What is the serial number stamped on the barrel lug? The buttstock might be Remington, but certainly not Meriden, where a 179xxx gun would have been made.
The Seller covered his butt by calling it a reproduction, but probably meant a reproduction of a GH skeet gun, and nothing more.

[David C Porter]

If you go to the "FOR SALE LISTING" above you can see the vent rib is after market.

[Steve Zivkovic]

I'm guessing this is the view of the rib desired.
As mentioned, the three SN's I found all match.

https://i.imgur.com/i2L1gnUl.jpg

It's not ideal but this slip-on leather pad got the LOP where I need it.

https://i.imgur.com/7vjvAOTl.jpg

[Dean Romig]

Does not have the LDG in circle mark of DelGrego upgrade. Barrels are correct for a GH, see PS in circle. 3 is barrel weight, not grade, and no grade stamped at rear of right barrel flat.


You could very well be right Edgar, as there is no stamp for ounces with it I was likely mistaken and presumed the 3 was for the grade, being almost far enough to the rear I may have jumped the gun.





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[Dean Romig]

The Serialization book says 179839 is a 28" 20ga. V grade, but the book has been known to be incorrect in the past. The vent rib, shown in the GI listing is not of Parker origin. A gun of that SN range would not be stamped PARKER on the bottom of the receiver. What is the serial number stamped on the barrel lug? The buttstock might be Remington, but certainly not Meriden, where a 179xxx gun would have been made.
The Seller covered his butt by calling it a reproduction, but probably meant a reproduction of a GH skeet gun, and nothing more.

Yup, IMO it is a DelGrego upgrade from VH to GH.
Those burds were most definitely engraved by Runge!!




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[edgarspencer]

Yup, IMO it is a DelGrego upgrade from VH to GH.
Those burds were most definitely engraved by Runge!!.

That's possible, but begs the question 'why only go up one grade?'. None of the rest of the engraving is much like a G grade, but those GI pictures aren't very good. Burds is a good moniker for Runge's (Bob?) birds. Any of the DelGrego/Runge upgrades I have seen have Larry's LDG in a circle (sorry for my poor photo)

Steve, As Reggie said, you really need to have a little more Parker knowledge. But it's your gun now, so have fun with it.

[Brian Dudley]

I dont think the gun has been upgraded. But it has been heavily modified from its original condition. The gun should be considered a shooter, and no more.

[Dean Romig]

Those are IMO most certainly Runge’s birds.

Over the years I have been offered two different DelGrego GH upgrades. The difference is that the serial numbers of those two were not on Parker Bros. Records and of course were neither in the Serialization book.





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[edgarspencer]

If it was an upgrade (I am probably going with Brian's post, that it is not) by DelGrego and Runge, it will likely have Runge's signature hidden in a border. The GI pics aren't clear enough to show it though.
Steve, post a picture of the bottom of the receiver, focusing on the forward two screws.

edit: Blowing up the GI picture of the trigger plate does not show Runge's signature.

[Dean Romig]

Runge did not identify lower grade upgrades with his signature Edgar. He only did that on the high grade upgrades.





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[Bill Murphy]

Dean missed the PS stamp when he proclaimed that the gun was a D grade. Further, we haven't seen any good pictures of the rib or the extension. Neat gun.

[Dean Romig]

Yes I did Bill - Thanks for pointing that out… PS = Parker Special Steel soecifically for the Grade-2 guns.





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[Jerry Harlow]

I have a few newb questions. How does that stock come off, by removing the (2) tang and trigger guard screws? With no through bolt? I'm guessing not, but are the extractor changeable to ejectors? Can the auto safety be easily disabled?

If I decided to remove the checkered butt and install a pad, what would be considered correct? I like a black Pachmayr SC pad but maybe some red/orange/brown pad would be a better choice. I'm not sold on leather covered pads, just personal preference.

Lastly, how do SK IN and SK OUT translate as far as choke constriction? It seems like it might mean different thing from different manufacturers? I've shot 50 skeet and 50 SC targets and it seemed break 'em just fine.

Steve,

To answer some of your questions which I don't think have been answered:

1. No through bolt. Trigger guard off. Floor plate has to come off. Hammers and springs removed. Two screws through stock. Instructions on this site. Why do it?
2. You would buy another gun before converting one to ejector.
3. Auto safety can be done away with, but stock has to be removed and barrel for tang screw removed from wood to remove rod. Not worth it unless you have correct screwdrivers and knowledge to do it.
4. Please, Please do not cut that checkered butt under any circumstances.
5. .615 is a 20 gauge bore. Have someone measure the bore/constriction. right barrel is skeet out (longer shot), should be tighter than the left for skeet in (closer shot). You may find both close to the same, but far less than .010 (ten thousandths) constriction in both. Skeet in may be close to cylinder, skeet out more choke. Only way to know is to measure them. Thus for hunting say quail from underfoot with this gun you would shoot left first, then right.

You could never "create" this gun for what you paid for it. Vent rib, GH Grade 2, reblued barrels and parts, case hardening, checkered new wood, checkered butt, and a new beaver tail forearm. Not counting opening chokes, etc. I would love to own and hunt with this gun. The only thing you really need to do is to measure the barrel thickness to make sure someone did not hone/polish the barrels and make them too thin.

[Rick Roemer]

My opinion is you have a very nice first Parker. I don’t think you have over paid. I love the checkered butt, beavertail, and chokes. Determining collectibility and originality is a long acquired skill. This comes from lots of looking, lots of reading, and lots of talking to senior members. From your post it seems it checks a lot of boxes for your personal taste. I like this gun as an excellent shooter! Join our club and get more involved! There’s not a better place to be.

[scott kittredge]

This gun is better than a repro and a great price for what you have.

[David C Porter]

I agree with Brian that it's been heavily modified & is a shooter. So, if you need longer lenght of pull or comfort from recoil go ahead and add a period pad. You're not going to hurt the value since it's already been modified and has lost it's collectors value. Like going to Pep Boys & adding chrome rims & flame striping to a Mercedes. You don't get your money back & desirability on resale goes down. Enjoy it as a shooter.