Reproduction forend tragedy, please help me!

[James Henry Clarke]

Hello all unfortunately I endured a small tragedy while out on the creek trying to enjoy some hunting for my veterans days. My 12ga Parker repro dhe splinter forend came unlatched after firing at a wood duck and fell into the deep tidal creek below unable to be retrieved (at least I got the bird).

I sat and wept for a minute from the loss of my forend and carried on. :banghead:

I am posting to ask for advice and suggestions on what to do next I am a financially restricted young Marine with a second baby on the way who only has Parker shotguns thanks to my generous father but I’d like to know what options yall will suggest for the situation moving forward. Can I simply find a replacement forend? Have one made by a gunsmith? If so does anyone have suggestions? Any idea for cost on this? I’m open to any and every suggestion please PM me or reply with anything you can think of, every suggestion helps thank you.

[Andrew Sacco]

I'm surprised there are no answers yet. Good luck!

[Greg Baehman]

That's some very unfortunate news for you James. It's going to be a tough road to hoe to find a replacement. Yes, new wood could be made at a cost of several hundred dollars, however; the forend iron will be the tough part to source.

Here's an alternative suggestion: Assuming you know the general location of where you lost it, I would contact a local scuba diver to find it for you. A scenario similar to yours a local diver here in Wisconsin was recently hired to find a lost $4000 prop for an individual's sailboat which was found and retrieved by "Ed the Diver". Google him or here's a link to a facebook account of the incident: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2661712720849065

[Daniel Carter]

Around here i see a lot of people ''magnet fishing''. The magnets are very strong and should grab on to the metal. Only trouble being how much floatation did the wood provide and the vagaries of current. A small boat and a grid drag, especially in any deep spots may work.

[Andrew Sacco]

You may be able to find someone with a good under water drone, again at a cost

[Bill Murphy]

Go to the basic training company and advertise a $200 reward to anyone who can retrieve the forend. Of course cold weather in Jacksonville is right around the corner.

[Brian Dudley]

It would honestly be easier to find your forend than find a replacement. In my opinion.

[Bob Jurewicz]

Very recently, I watched a very nice 12 gauge Parker reproduction sell on gun broker for 2995. It had been on the site for a minimum of a month without sale.
Purchasing a complete gun could be an option and using it as a parts gun selling off what you don’t want
Bob Jurewicz

[James Henry Clarke]

Thank you all for the PM’s and suggestions regarding this matter a fellow Marine I know has a magnet for retrieving things that I am going to attempt to retrieve the forend with.

At this point by the time I can make it out to the creek the forend will have been completely submerged in brackish water for around 48 hours so restoration will be needed I assume.

If I can manage to find it or if it’s a total loss I will keep you all updated.

[Jim DiSpagno]

It won't start to corrode until it hits the air. I suggest keeping it submerged in water until you get it home and take it apart. Dry the wood and soak all metal parts in Callisto or the likes. Send the wood to be professionally refinished.

[Gerald McPherson]

I once retrieved a very nice bait casting rod and reel in 35 feet of water dropped from a boat way out in the lake with a strong magnet borrowed from a friend. I was able to mark where I was by lining up with objects on shore. It took a while, but I got it the next day. Good luck.

[Bill Murphy]

How deep was the water where you dropped the forend?

[John Dallas]

More importantly in my opinion is the strength of the current. With the big chunk of wood, it will have a tendency to move downstream

[Bill Murphy]

Good points. I personally have never tested the floatability of a Parker splinter forend. But it would be advisable before you hired a crew of divers. I once dropped a Ruger Model 77 wood stocked gun into a bottomless Ontario lake. It showed no sign of floating or being affected by water flow. Fortunately, the bow of the sling allowed me to snag it before it was lost forever. The only harm was a one inch difference in point of impact the next time I sighted it. This change in POI was caused by water in the stock, a situation that was cured by a year drying out in my gun safe. Good luck with your search. Keep us informed.

[James Henry Clarke]

Unfortunately the magnet mission was not succesful the creek in question is called Brice creek it’s a branch off the Trent river which flows from the famous neuse river. The specific area of the creek the forend fell into was an outcropping of the creek with a depth at high tide of at least 10ft this creek is tidal not a ripping current but slow and constant movement.

I’m grieved to say, the forend is lost for good. This Parker 12ga repro was my first Parker I traded some other guns of less value than this gun in a trade with my father (he bought it for me but wanted some other guns for trading fodder in exchange) I learned to shoot a side by side well with this gun. my close friend and fellow marine and I took it to the southern this year for our first time ever in a registered shoot. I fell in love with the classic reliable American made Parker because of this 12ga and it’s the only reason I’m on the forum today.

The question is now whether I should put what’s left of the Parker up for sale on the forum or just hold on to it and if I did what would be a fair asking price? I cannot afford to buy a separate repro and make a two barrel set. Is there any hope for some sort of forend replacement still?

For reference the gun is a DHE 12ga 28” barrels choked IC/MOD without splinter forend and pistol grip, I find the walnut on the gun to be desirable above some other reproductions I’ve seen but I’m a little biased. I have the gun case no snap caps oiler bottle or cleaning rod inside though.

I appreciate the responses and care of the forum members for the situation.

[Chris Travinski]

James,

Is your gun a Steel Shot Special? The serial number on the water table (and forend....) would be marked SS12-XXXX, the serial number on the trigger guard would just be 12-XXXX. 28" IC/Mod barrels are nice and unfortunately probably the least common configuration.

[Bill Murphy]

Yeah, what is the serial number and how long are the barrels? What are the chokes? This information will help to sell the gun. Keep looking for an original Parker DHE or GHE forend, 1 1/2 frame.

[Daryl Corona]

I'm still wondering how it just fell off. Was is loose to begin with? I'd go to a local dive shop and if they would help. A similar incidence happened years ago to a hunting partner while we were sea duck hunting over an old oyster bar on the Chesapeak Bay. His 1100 slipped out of his cold hands and disappeared beneath the waves. Without even thinking he stripped down to his drawers, made a couple dives and eventually came up with the gun. Not something I would do but he loved that gun.

[Garth Gustafson]

James, I still think you have a reasonable chance of having a diver recover it. You marines are very resourceful and there are lots of assets at Camp Lejeune. I'd offer one of your frogmen a case of beer to find it. Good luck!

[todd allen]

If/when you recover the fore end, next step is to figure out why it came off in the first place.
That's not supposed to happen.

[Dylan Rhodes]

Did the forend lug fall off with it? I am also bewildered how it fell off.

[Scott Chapman]

One option: There is a Remington era DHE 12 on 1 1/2 frame for sale in the classifieds here dated 5/22/25. Might have to get a whole new gun, but that fore end would probably work.

Seller was motivated in May.

[Arthur Shaffer]

I have seen quite a few non Repro foe end assemblies sell over the years. Might check GunBroker and eBay. One could possibly be fitted.

[James Henry Clarke]

The forend must have had a faulty latch. One incident occurred before it fell overboard and that was while my friend was shooting with it at the southern the forend came off as soon as he fired and he caught it before it hit the ground. Unfortunately I don’t think finding a diver or anything like that will be possible I simply don’t have the money or at this point the time for it.

More information on my gun though it is serial number 1330 not a steel shot special just a regular Parker 12 and it is also a SST gun.

[edgarspencer]

If/when you recover the fore end, next step is to figure out why it came off in the first place.
That's not supposed to happen.
Jay reminded me of one of the times we (3) were shooting at Peacedale. I was shooting a 28ga. Repro, and another member was shooting a 20ga. Repro.
My fore end latch would partially open on every shot, and I got a nice cut from it. Being the forward thinker I wish I was, I took out a band aid from my wallet and put it on the cut. Then I took out another and put it across the fore end latch. I was down to one band aid, when the fellow shooting the 20 complained his fore end kept coming loose. I didn't think to take a picture of the two Repros, in the rack, wearing matching 'field dressings'.

[Jim DiSpagno]

I think that there are many many members who could either look through their stuff or look for a 1 1/2 frame ejector fire end and because this young patriot is in a bind, find a way to help him out. I looked and have nothing but would be willing to contribute money to help fund one for him. Maybe CSMS or the likes has one they would sell. Let's help this Marine out.

[Mike Poindexter]

An orphan ejector fore end 12 ga. 1 1/2 frame might not be impossible to find. I have seen several orphan fore ends for sale on e-Bay over the past year, but never was interested enough to see what the specifics were. The ejectors and the 1 1/2 will make it tough. I bought a set of orphan 12 ga. CHE Dam4 barrels 1 1/2 frame from a member here after looking for a year or so. You never know!

[Daniel Carter]

I think that there are many many members who could either look through their stuff or look for a 1 1/2 frame ejector fire end and because this young patriot is in a bind, find a way to help him out. I looked and have nothing but would be willing to contribute money to help fund one for him. Maybe CSMS or the likes has one they would sell. Let's help this Marine out.
I am with you Jim, if anyone has a foreend iron or complete i would be happy to contribute to the acquisition and fitting cost.
Come on guys there is one out there and the person to fit it.

[James Henry Clarke]

Jim and others thank you for the generosity it’s very appreciated I won’t turn down donations but I can’t ask that of you all. I am however very much more welcomed to the idea of finding an orphan forend rather than selling this gun. If anyone knows of any forum members who may have spare forend parts and would be willing to sell please let me know. I’ve already PM’d Brian Dudley as suggested but unfortunately he did not. I have also been thinking about possibly calling some gunsmiths/gun stores that might have spare parts laying around. mid south guns is not very far from base and when I’m visiting my wife’s family in Holland Michigan this Christmas vintage firearms is just around the corner in Grand Rapids.

[edgarspencer]

It was a year, maybe two, right around this time a guide friend in Greenville (Maine) called me looking for a fore end for a client who had hired him. That was a 20ga. Repro. While walking, the client's fore end fell off. They back tracked but never found it. That same client is apparently a member here, as he showed up very shortly there after, looking for a replacement.

I just looked through my pieces parts, and have an ejector fore end iron, minus the guts. I also have a B grade (fully checkered) ejector piece of wood, with a lesser grade tip, and latch. It's at least a start, and you're welcome to it.

[Jim DiSpagno]

Thanks Edgar let's get this show on the road. We need guts for the fire end. I have a latch and will look for the screws.

[David C Porter]

You should explore all avenues of finding the original forend assembly. Finding an old Parker assembly and/or parts make up & it being a drop in fit, is wish full thinking. More than likely it will need to be fit by a good gunsmith that's willing & competent to do the needed fitting. This could get very expensive. If, you could find an original Parker Reproduction, it would probably be a drop in fit, and/or very little fitting. But, finding one would be nearly impossible. So, try to find your original. This is your best option, or sell what you have, & take that money, plus some more & buy a new repoduction and in the end this will probaly be the cheaper route in the long run.

[Bill Murphy]

How long are your barrels and what are the chokes?

[Karl Ferguson]

" For reference the gun is a DHE 12ga 28” barrels choked IC/MOD "

[Bill Murphy]

Wow, a very scarce set of barrels. You may be able to sell what's left of your gun for the price of a 12 gauge Repro with 26" barrels. Try listing it on gunsinternational.

[edgarspencer]

Why is everyone in such a hurry to see the man sell his gun? My Christmas card list is longer than the list of people looking for an incomplete Repro. It's only been a week since the sad event. Last time I checked, Jarheads don't retreat, they dig in. There's probably more than a dozen of you with two barrel sets, most of whom don't shoot both. Show a Vet some love and loan the man a fore end and a piece of duct tape. Hell, Veteran's day was only a week ago.

[Bill Murphy]

I was at our local Amish market today. The clerk at the donut counter saw my Marine Corps Foundation ball cap, commented and thanked me for my service. Well, I'm an Army veteran, but I thanked him. He still collected full price for my dozen donuts. He could have thrown in one extra, but didn't.

[Jim DiSpagno]

I want to see this young Patriot get his gun back together. Don't sell it or part it out.

[Ron Groves]

In general discussions there is a reference to a complete 12ga forearm on eBay from a day or so ago. SEMPER FI

[Dylan Rhodes]

Why is everyone in such a hurry to see the man sell his gun? My Christmas card list is longer than the list of people looking for an incomplete Repro. It's only been a week since the sad event. Last time I checked, Jarheads don't retreat, they dig in. There's probably more than a dozen of you with two barrel sets, most of whom don't shoot both. Show a Vet some love and loan the man a fore end and a piece of duct tape. Hell, Veteran's day was only a week ago.

Don’t two barrel set repro’ s only have one forearm?

[Bill Murphy]

Yes, one forend with a two barrel set unless the purchaser special ordered a second forend.

[edgarspencer]

Don’t two barrel set repro’ s only have one forearm?

Good point. I have seen a couple that had two FE, but they weren't 12ga.

[Bob Jurewicz]

Could this be made to work?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/317521567852?_skw=parker+bros+shotgun+parts&itmmeta=01KA6N4T71NR014FNGGBGS0YHW&hash=item49edc2a06c:g:TU4AAeSwMOppEQjJ&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fbpr5Ae mQIYT88wJUEkOFoh9CDpr4x9qiq1LiINPs7DvJfihEmavJtgVq %2FhBuV2eg1InqCCbC2xCYJMiHQb3hg7H2aeLS9CY4R6Rs77z% 2FkX3CHtSjCLNVc5%2FNSaHwE0wUD7P0hNnW41cAe0qWGaaOC8 p5sVTzdwF8E79BVl8l0wzgwrnhzdQIsy1inKgX5yt%2BeNUVA% 2B4ED36wVVj4rd5jdDP%2FofuI6XP2S7M9BKiqEpiG5dwD7CU4 iS2Z%2FNhFu84Bd22NlGN8ZSgeXzq7afe7sdWezgT2jMHvax3v rMuuWnA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9Kjk9XRZg

Bob Jurewicz

[Greg Baehman]

Wow, a very scarce set of barrels. You may be able to sell what's left of your gun for the price of a 12 gauge Repro with 26" barrels. Try listing it on gunsinternational.

Of the 6 12ga. DHE Repros with 28” barrels currently for sale on gunsinternational.com, 4 of them are factory choked IC/M. These were a standard cataloged offering. Having seen many such factory choked 12ga. DHE Repros having 28” barrels through the years I would not claim they were a very scarce set of barrels.

Others have stated that Repro 2-bbl. sets typically were furnished with a single forend, true - unless an extra forend was special ordered. However; all factory 28/.410 bi-gauge 2 & 3-bbl. sets were typically furnished with two forends.

[allen newell]

I don't wear my Viet Nam vet ball cap often as I don't want to bring the attention to myself but I wore it the other day and was pleasantly surprised at the number of thank you for my service received.

[John Dallas]

I was lucky that I was sent to Korea as a company Commander of an Ammunition depot during the Viet Nam fustercluck. Don't have an army cap, but try to talk to those who do

[edgarspencer]

I transferred from the Navy to the MSC, and we didn't wear a cover because they would just blow overboard. Each trip we delivered close to two million pounds of ordinance to the Army and Marines. Your welcome.

[James Henry Clarke]

I have come to the conclusion that I will hold onto my gun selling is no longer an option, I’d like to look for a 12ga reproduction to acquire to be able to still use my 12. But I’m limited at least for the time being financially. I do however have a model 101 Winchester 28ga 28” barrel field grade skeet gun in very good condition (I bought it new when I graduated from high school) I would be willing to trade if another forum member were interested or to sell but I’ll make those posts in the appropriate forums when I get a chance.

Thank you all for the PM’s and suggestions I greatly appreciate it, losing the forend to this gun has been very hard on me but this too shall pass. If any members still have ideas about a forend from an original Parker being put together and fit I would still love to have one to use the gun in the mean time.

[allen newell]

I served on a destroyer as a sonar tech 3rd class. We spent 7 months off the DMZ and numerous danger close missions off north viet nam. We fired over 27,000 rds of 5 inch during that time and had to re sleeve the barrel linings on all 5 inch guns several times. Ive handled more 5 inch ammo than i care to remember. When I got out I gave all my uniforms away. I controlled and fired all our guns remotely from main battery plot but did spend some time in a gun director after i refused to fire on some watercraft that i believed were fishermen. But that experience did leave me with PTSD. The VA has been terrific in all my continuing interactions.

[Brian Dudley]

I want to pass on a piece of advice to the OP here. With all the talk of people wanting to donate parts to you, let me give my thoughts…

It really is best to try and locate a complete forend, either a repro one or an original meriden one. That way all the parts in it are matched to one another. You may still have to do some messing around to get an original forend assembly on the gun, but the amount of work will be WAY less than trying to fit together various parts from various sources and guns. Talk about a major headache.

[David Noble]

I would have stripped down to my skivvies and jumped into the creek immediately to try and find that forearm. It's been over a week now and the wood is likely not too good, but I think it would still be worth a try to dive in with a diving mask and some fins to look for it.
I'm not sure of the water temperature so that's a factor. If the creek is tidal fed then the current might flow both directions, so the forearm could still be in the general area. A splinter forearm would sink rather quickly and likely entangle in growth at the bottom.
You could even jury rig a breathing tube tied to a float that would allow you to spend more time under water searching. That is your best bet other than waiting to find a replacement.

[Bill Murphy]

There are owners of original DHE forends on this website, but they would probably not be willing to sell them for less than four figures. The forends offered for sale on ebay and such are incomplete or trashed. Keep looking, or contact Mr. Skeuse.