Any rhyme or reason to the reproduction guns' serial numbers?

[ron belanger]

I know they were all manufactured in the 80's sometime ('85 through '89) or so.
Reason I am interested is that I'm considering buying one.
For instance, in a certain gauge, did they begin with 20-0000, or 12-0001 etc.?
Just wondering if there is any "list" of dates like the one on the PGCA website that applies to manufacture dates of the repros...thanks!
(I just want to be armed with as much info as possible before purchasing one of these beauties!)
(I got the fever!) :p

[Richard Skeuse]

Hi Ron, I can tell you that the first guns we made were the 20 guage, The first 25 or so were test guns or Prototypes. The number went guage first - then number. We made 250 with PRO in the serial number.. The second order went to regular number system. If you have the serial number of the gun you are looking at I will see if I can find out when it was made. Hope this helps

[ron belanger]

I'm grateful for your offer and response! (a bit blown away that I'm speaking to the creator of these wonderful guns!)

I am no longer looking at this shotgun...I now own it! (soon to be on it's way from dealer)

I would love to hear anything you have in the way of records for my new pride and joy!

The serial number is: 20-03583

Of course, I already know the obvious facts...DT, BTFE, chokes, etc. The gun has been very lightly used, and looks beautiful. It's my first high end, shotgun and I plan to have many, enjoyable, hours afield with her. I didn't buy it to be a safe queen, and it certainly may not be my last Parker purchase. I can't wait to get my eyes and hands on it (next week!)

Thank you, Mr. Skeuse for building my new Shotgun!

[Richard Skeuse]

Hi Thanks for the reply and many thank you's. Your gun was received from Winchester on 6-18-1985 inspected on 6-21-1985 and sold to Cape outfitters Cape Girardeau, Mo. on 1-30-1995. It has grade 4 wood, out of 5 with 5 being the best. I am one of the sons of Tom Skeuse the maker of the Parker Reproductions just to clear that up. Thanks

[Bill Murphy]

Richard, were all Repros graded on the permanent record as to wood quality? That is the first we have heard about this, at least the first I have heard about this.

[Richard Skeuse]

Yes Bill

[Dave Suponski]

Richard, Thank You very much for being so forthcoming with all this info on our Parker Reproductions. You are providing us with some great info.....and I for one appreciate it. And I am sure many more members do also.....:)

[ron belanger]

Hi Thanks for the reply and many thank you's. Your gun was received from Winchester on 6-18-1985 inspected on 6-21-1985 and sold to Cape outfitters Cape Girardeau, Mo. on 1-30-1995. It has grade 4 wood, out of 5 with 5 being the best. I am one of the sons of Tom Skeuse the maker of the Parker Reproductions just to clear that up. Thanks

Thanks, Richard, for this info! I apologize for thinking you were your Dad...I am kind of a newbie in the Parker world and I should have researched the history a bit before assuming this. Nevertheless, I appreciate your generosity, and look forward to good times and great shotguns!
I now own an original Trojan 20 and of course, the new Reproduction, and I have a lead on another Damascus, Parker which may or may not be hidden in the depths of the house of an Aunt of my girlfriend's (her Uncle's Parker)...she had lost touch with this Aunt for a few years but has recently, begun conversing with her once again...the thought of the old gun has me wondering of it's whereabouts! I may find out as soon as this coming Sunday when my girlfriend is going to stop by her Aunt's place in RI.
Hopefully, there will be some dialogue which transpires, on the location of this gun...keeping my fingers crossed that she still has it tucked away with her late, husband's belongings...:corn:

Thanks again for the info on my new gun! I'll post some pictures here when I receive it!

Ron

[Tony Guccioni]

Thanks, Richard, for this info! I apologize for thinking you were your Dad...I am kind of a newbie in the Parker world and I should have researched the history a bit before assuming this. Nevertheless, I appreciate your generosity, and look forward to good times and great shotguns!
I now own an original Trojan 20 and of course, the new Reproduction, and I have a lead on another Damascus, Parker which may or may not be hidden in the depths of the house of an Aunt of my girlfriend's (her Uncle's Parker)...she had lost touch with this Aunt for a few years but has recently, begun conversing with her once again...the thought of the old gun has me wondering of it's whereabouts! I may find out as soon as this coming Sunday when my girlfriend is going to stop by her Aunt's place in RI.
Hopefully, there will be some dialogue which transpires, on the location of this gun...keeping my fingers crossed that she still has it tucked away with her late, husband's belongings...:corn:

Thanks again for the info on my new gun! I'll post some pictures here when I receive it!
Ron

Walt,

Your photos will be mighty useful to see what a 4/5 stick of wood looks like. This should allow all Repro owners to gain some idea on their own wood rating.

And thanks Richard for your generosity.

[ron belanger]

Walt,

Your photos will be mighty useful to see what a 4/5 stick of wood looks like. This should allow all Repro owners to gain some idea on their own wood rating.

And thanks Richard for your generosity.

The name is Ron...just using an alias here for fun!:cool:
The Walt Kowalski character is Played by Clint Eastwood in the movie Gran Torino...great film!

I will definitely post some high quality pictures of the wood I have...I was not aware that it was grade 4 either...I'll take 4 out of 5 any day! :)

[Joe Bernfeld]

Pics!:corn:

[ron belanger]

Pics!:corn:



Should have it by next week....:corn:

[Tom Kidd]

Good Morning Mr. Skeuse, I wonder if this smokepole's lumber made the #5 rating? The other side is just as nice, but really lousy in the head area. It is serial: 28-01787 and I am under the understanding that it was owned by an outdoor writer? I have hunted it hard the last two years here in Pa. and up in NY, and did manage to fall with it more than a few times. So far, no damage, the Grouse Gods must be smiling on me, or taking pity on an old bone head who is still 'Pat' hunting after back surgery and with an articulated knee brace/contraption. My wife isn't a happy camper as I hunt mostly alone (except for my best buddy, Get'r Done 'Ice', who is getting to be a pretty damn smart pointing grouse dog), because I go slow and run out of gas after only a few hours out and about in the covers. Some friends still take me out, but I feel quilty for slowing down their day. I have missed more birds in the last two years than in the previous 10. This Getting Old Business isn't for Sissies. I think Will Rogers said that, if not he should have. Enough BS for now, sorry if I have hi-jacked this thread, but I am really bummed out and felt like talking, as I recently lost one of my grouse hunting and gun show buddies, who helped me scour The Ohio Gun Collectors shows for treasures for some 15 plus years back in the 80's and 90's. His name was Russel Bickel and he was an outstanding friend, a dedicated hunter, an outstanding sportsman, a true gentleman, and was one of the very best metalsmiths and a fine doublegun restorer. He will be missed by many. I have been very privileged to have had you as my friend and you will be always be in my thoughts. Rest in Peace, Russ.

[ron belanger]

No such a thing as "hijacking" a thread by posting beautiful pictures of shotguns and Labs...nice story, and yes...getting old sucks...you did say that, right? :)

[Richard Flanders]

I'd say THAT qualifies as #8 wood on a scale of 1-5! Holy cow!

[Bob Jurewicz]

The Repro serialization that confusses me the most is the "Prototype" group. Mr, S mentioned 250 with Pro prefix. What about the plan Ps. I have P-00415 a 20/16/16.
Where does this # fit??
Bob Jurewicz

[ron belanger]

Here are the pictures of my "grade 4 wood"

[Dean Romig]

Nice wood!!

[Tony Guccioni]

Big Thankyou for your photos ( admire a fella who makes good on his promises )
I'm assuming the forend is darker than the buttstock due to differences in camera settings ?

[ron belanger]

Big Thankyou for your photos ( admire a fella who makes good on his promises )
I'm assuming the forend is darker than the buttstock due to differences in camera settings ?

It does seem to be darker in person too. The flash does brighten the stock considerably...the gun, put together in day/natural light looks a bit more "matched" than the pics.
Not a issue to me as this will be a shooter...still nice to look at for my purposes...:)

Hopefully, the partridge, woodcocks, and the occasional pheasant will come to fear it!

[Chuck Heald]

Thats about as nice as I've seen on a 4. Perfect thru the wrist too. Lucky dog.

[ron belanger]

Thats about as nice as I've seen on a 4. Perfect thru the wrist too. Lucky dog.

Thanks!

[Greg Baehman]

Hi Ron, I can tell you that the first guns we made were the 20 guage, The first 25 or so were test guns or Prototypes. The number went guage first - then number. We made 250 with PRO in the serial number.. The second order went to regular number system. If you have the serial number of the gun you are looking at I will see if I can find out when it was made. Hope this helps
This seller probably should have checked out this thread when conducting his research.
http://www.gunsinternational.com/Winchester-parker-reproduction.cfm?gun_id=100241265

[John Mellinger]

Richard. I sure would appreciate your help on this one. 20ga, english stock, double triggers, serial number P-130. Thanks.