Parker case colors

[Richard Flanders]

Who was it that was collecting examples of original Parker case colors a while back? My VH12 has more color left than any Parker I've owned to date I think. I have pics to send to whoever needs/wants them.

[Bill Murphy]

You know, Richard, maybe that would be a great idea for our forum. Even in great works such as TPS and DGJ, great restorations kind of get mixed in with original guns and, consequently, no one knows what a real original looks like. In addition, some pictures, even if of original guns, don't identify the era of manufacture. Ed Muderlak coined the phrase "benchmark gun" to describe a gun that is so good in original condition that it would be used to compare to other guns we would consider adding to our collections.

[Bill Murphy]

Oh, by the way, Richard, I will give you my standard appraisal for no cost. "Richard, that is not an ugly gun.".

[Dean Romig]

EDM's "benchmark gun" was a Trojan, still in the original box with grease and wrappers.

[Chuck Bishop]

Are you sure those are original Parker case colors?

[Dean Romig]

I'm going with "yes".

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

It sure is a beautiful gun congrat's Richard any body would love to be seen with her!

[Dave Suponski]

Chuck,I would agree with Dean's opinion.

[Chuck Bishop]

First, I don't want anything I write here as being taken that I'm putting down Richard's gun. Dean and Dave believe it's right as rain and they've seen more Parker colors than I have. I've been wrong before and will be wrong again.

Richard, Bill, and I agree that some examples of original versus restored case colors would be helpful. It would be nice if we could study original/restored case colors with guns in hand but in most cases we have to rely on the camera which can distort the colors.

My observation of Richard's colors is that the blues are the correct colors. I can't tell if the area's devoid of color are worn off colors or straw colors. If they are straw in color, then there is too much straw. Parker colors had mostly blues, some purple/red, and very little straw. Look at Turnbull's and other restorers and you will see too much straw, especially around the edges of the frame and also around pins and screws. This is also evident in Richard's gun.

Anyway, that's my opinion from only one picture. Either way, it's a nice looking gun.

[Richard Flanders]

I only posted it because the gun is in phenomal condition and I see no evidence of tampering at any level. I think the colors are most definitely original and thought I remembered someone collecting pics of original colors. I've not owned a Parker with more remaining color than this one; my G grade 10ga hammer gun comes the closest and is very close to this. The other side and the floorplate aren't as colorful but are nice. I don't think this gun was used much at all in it's past life. The engraving is sharp with no signs of having been polished. Barrel blue seems original; no signs of polishing at all and the trigger guard has most of it's blue, which is rare. The lever is still to the right and the trigger pulls around 3.5#. I's a beaut for sure. I've seen very few V grades with this much color.

[Robert Delk]

You would not believe the difference that lighting,angle of the shot,lens and, in the old days, the film make when trying to get correct color of any object in a "shot." Even the grain of the wood can be subdued or enhanced by different factors.My buddy is a professional photographer and he is always dealing with this situation.I would not judge case colors by just a picture, if money was changing hands,on a used gun.

[Richard Flanders]

The picture I posted is true to color. I took a bunch and picked that one as being the best. It's a remarkable V grade for condition. The butt plate has essentially zero wear. This gun has not seen much use at all. That program will change as long as I own it I can tell you.

[Eric Eis]

Richard as you know I have a few high condition Parkers and comparing your gun to them I would say those are original case colors.

[Austin W Hogan]

I built a photo stand with two photofloods to use in making photos for PP. I found that black and white was the only honest way of presenting engraving and frame filing detail. All damascus and twist patterns photo graph with red and brown spots in tungsten light, regardless of filter or electronic correction. I found diffuse daylight to give the best color rendition with electronic photography.
I have often pondered how some guns retain color in protected areas, while others have complete abscense of color. I conclude that most color loss is due to use of rust removing or rust inhibiting oil. One wipe with rust removing oil exceeds years of wear. White mineral oil has enhanced remaining color in my experience.

Best, Austin

[Richard Flanders]

Eric: I've not thought for a second that these colors are anything but original. The only reason I posted the picture was to show well preserved original colors. Anyone who had the gun in hand would think the same. Had I posted a pic of the other side that is not as intensely colored I doubt the originality issue would have come up.

[todd allen]

I have heard that light, especially direct sunlight causes case colors to fade. Any truth to this?

[John Dallas]

First of all, I am singularly unqualified to comment on Parker color orginality, but...

When we talk about "original" colors, we are talking about colors which have been around for about 100 years. No one reading these notes has ever seen an original gun when it left the factory. Can anyone discuss whether colors fade or change after 100 years? How would that be done?
So, we are comparing fresh colors with 100 year old colors that we cannot say may not have faded or changed. Hmmm.

[Eric Eis]

I have heard that light, especially direct sunlight causes case colors to fade. Any truth to this?

I have heard that too, and I talked to Oscar Gaddy on that and he said no sunlight did not affect case colors. He and I had quite the discussion on this as I had seen two Parker shotguns that would have been 90% condition but the right side of each gun had faded colors and the bottom and left side had excellent bright colors. These two guns hung on a wall with the right side exposed to a south facing window for about 20 years, Oscar couldn't explain it but still said sun did not effect case colors, I don't take a chance and keep them out of sunlight unless I am using them.

I also heard (don't know if it is true) that Hoppes #9 can cause case colors to fade.

[Jack Cronkhite]

I may be in the best position to test the sunshine hypothesis

An average of 2000 - 2500 hours of sunshine annually make Saskatchewan Canada's sunniest Province. The City of Estevan in the southeast records an average of 2540 hours of sunshine a year.

I have shot a lot of roosters within a short distance of Estevan.

I offer to "store" in a sunny room and to "exercise" only on sunny days any highly colored original Parker (grade unimportant) over the course of a multi-year study. There would be photos and annual reports fully detailing the impact of sunlight on the case colors. The owner would get those reports first and would be the person to provide a detailed opinion article for the first PP's of each successive year. Given the high number of sunshine hours, I believe a five year study would test the sunshine reduction of case color hypothesis, after which the gun will be returned to the rightful owner. I will not place any restrictions on the number of guns that can be "stored and exercised" to complete such a worthwhile study. Should the hypothesis be proven, the owner could elect to have the colors re-done or enjoy the new silver look. If the hypothesis is not proven, then nobody need worry about a sunny day afield or at the shooting club.

Here's a colorful alphabetical riddle: How much green would it take to move a colorful blue VH from AK to SK?

Cheers,
Jack

[Eric Eis]

.....:rotf:......:rotf:.....:rotf:

Fat chance Jack ........:rotf:

[Austin W Hogan]

I think that a more objective way to detect original finish is by examining the engraving with a hand lens. Buffing the gun prior to recase polishes away a lot of fine structure. The attached photo shows a DH that has no color remaining but has not been buffed.

Best, Austin

[Dean Romig]

Nice example Austin.

[Austin W Hogan]

Here is a re case hardened DH frame. Scenes and background are not comparable among Parker's many engravers, but scroll is relatively consistent. Note the flattening of the scroll; a good indication that the frame has been re polished.

Best, Austin

[Eric Eis]

Austin you should do a short article in PP with photos of what you just showed here. That's great information and reference.