Greetings

[Robert Crosby]

First off I'd like to thank you folks for creating such a informative and useful website. I've inherited a Parker and your website made it very easy to identify.
The Parker is a 20 gage, Frame 0, weight 3.7, grade V. The serial number 145968 has a build date of 1907.
I'll try to post photos in my next post.
The guns is in excellent condition, for something thats over 100 years old, but has probably not been fired in 40 years. The only serious issue it may have is a repair of a cracked stock god knows how long ago. Looks like a machine screw and nut that was sanded down.
My immediate question is that do you folks know any gunsmiths near Northridge, California that work with older shotguns. Northridge is in the San Fernando Valley just north of Los Angeles. I also acquired a Model 1912 Winchester 16 gage that I need to have checked out as well.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give and again kudos on a excellent website.

Robert

[Robert Crosby]

Here are the pictures

[Robert Crosby]

Sorry posted pics in a new thread and I don't know how to fix.

robert

[EDIT by John D.

All fixed for you - it's all in this single thread ;)]

[Dean Romig]

That should be a great little shooter. Enjoy it!

[Mike Wilkerson]

Welcome Robert! A 20ga O frame would be a delight to carry. How long are the barrels?
3.7 sounds like they would be long.

[Robert Crosby]

Yes they are. They are 28 inch barrels.

[Bill Murphy]

Your gun is recorded in the Serialization Book, a fairly accurate reference, as a 30" gun with automatic ejectors. The automatic ejectors, if they are actually present in your gun. would add serious value. The fact that your gun may be "sawed off" would detract from its value more so. Pictures of your open gun at the breech would clear up the ejectors business. Pictures of the top of your barrels at the muzzle may clear up the "sawed off" business. That being said, if the picture of the rib at the muzzles does not solve the mystery, an accurate measurement of the bores and choke area would clear that up.

[Dean Romig]

Well, looking at picture #2 the barrels look long enough to be 30" and judging by how many times that 8 1/4" forend will fit along the length of the barrels from the breech forward, it almost fits four times. I'm going with original 30" barrels.

[Robert Crosby]

Thanks for the input. The barrels are 30 inches. I double checked. Also I don't have any idea what the ejectors would look like so i uploaded so more pictures that will hopefully resolve the issue. Thanks again for your help

Any idea what would this gun have originally be used for? I'm guessing bird hunting of some kind but my current knowledge of shotguns is limited,

[calvin humburg]

Looks like ejectors to me. Nice ol gun!

[Dean Romig]

Definitely an ejector gun Robert.

Incidentally, I like your French manicure!

[Robert Crosby]

The French tips are nice...a pain to keep up though:)
Again thanks for the info. I'm not real interested in selling the gun but how much might it be worth? A rough guess would be fine.
Along the same line would it be a good idea to get the stock replaced because of the repair job done.
Thanks

[Robert Crosby]

Actually the barrels are 30 inches...there is a old saying about measure twice...i should have heeded.

[Dean Romig]

Probably, in its present condition, around $3K.

There are a few things you could do to that gun, like restocking it exactly like the original stock but with dimensions that fit you, and having the frame and forend iron re-case colored... but don't expect those modifications to increase the gun's value by the amount you spend to do them.

[Robert Crosby]

Another forum thread showing some amazing stocks has motivated me to look into the refurbishing the stock. Again, you guys have been a great help. The information about the possible value of the Parker makes me glad I purchased the bigger gun safe :)

[Robert Crosby]

Jent, your not the one who missed something. The original post with the information about the Parker is in another post titled "greetings". When I posted the pictures I mistakenly uploaded them to a new thread, so the info and the pictures are not in the same thread. It had been a while since I posted on any forums. Hopefully that will clear up any confusion.

The Parker is new to me but has been in my wife's family for at least 80 years. It was important to my mother in law before her passing so I'm just now looking into doing a little restoration and shooting. Before I mess with any restoration I'll be picking you guys brains so I can do it the right way.

Thanks

[John Dunkle]

Jent, your not the one who missed something. The original post with the information about the Parker is in another post titled "greetings". ... I can fix that for you... Welcome to your "COMBINED" thread ;)

John

[Dean Romig]

I wonder if there's anything Mr. Dunkle can't do ??:shock:

John never ceases to amaze me with his computer skills. It's like he simply waves his magic wand and **POOF** it's done - just like that!

Thanks John, for all you do!

[John Dunkle]

Thanks Dean..!

Just home from a long day at work, so let me move this to the correct forum as well, OK?

Best to you folks!!!

John

[Dave Noreen]

Robert,

Your best bet is to schlep over to Covina and show your 20-gauge Parker to Jim Thynne and Jerry Kiddo at Ivory Beads.

Dave

[Drew Hause]

Dan Lammers' specialty is Krieghoff target guns and SBTs, but he did nice work on a couple of my Parkers.
DL Precision
dlprecision@netzero.com
Redding, CA
530-275-5970

[Paul Ehlers]

The guys over at Ivory Beads in Covina are a good contact for sure. http://www.ivorybeads.com/site/RunScript.asp?ap=asp_counter.asp&p=ASP\~PgDefault.asp

Another option is to contact Brad Bachelder in Michgan 616-459-3636 Brad can probably repair your stock so you would never know that the repair bolt was ever in it. He may be able to do a complete restoration for about the same cost as a re-stock job.

If it were me that inherited my father-in laws gun. The first thing I would do is talk to my wife and make sure it's OK with her to alter her fathers gun and take all of his sweat & patina off of his gun.

Good luck with it and keep us informed as things progress!

[Harry Collins]

Were all the San Francisco Wigeon Gun Club 20 gauge Parkers with 3" chambers DHE's? Were they 32" barrels as well?I know I'm bouncing all around the facts and probably have none correct.

Harry

[Robert Crosby]

Thanks for the helpful ideas. I've checked out the Ivory Beads website and may follow your advise a take it out there. The stock is in pretty good shape outside of the repair. I think I'll start by trying to restore the original stock. Nothing fancy but giving the stock a good rub down. Clean it up a bit and see what the original wood has to offer. Any ideas on what products to use for cleaning and polishing?

I could repost in the restoration thread if that would be better. I'll post before and after pictures when I'm done.

Again you guys have been a great help. Thanks for the support.

[Jim Thynne]

Robert,
I probably have a 0 frame stock around the shop, but I would have to see the gun and do some measurments. As the fellows here all know they usually need to be fitted.
I have a store in Covina California, and that is a nice drive on a Saturday.
I would be pleased to look at that gun as well as the model 12.
The name of the store is Ivorybeads, 1-888-328-0700.is our tollfree number.
Hope we can help
Jim Thynne

[Robert Crosby]

I'll give Ivory Beads a call and a visit. Thanks for the advise.