DH grade guns with chequered side panels

[neill mcinnis]

I have been looking at several nice 12 ga DH grade guns. Sharp engraving and nice Damascus pattern barrels. The question I have is most of the time I encounter checquered side panels. I have referenced the parker story and it doesn't appear these guns should have the checqured side panels. I would like your opinion about this.

[Paul Stafford]

I believe it was an option? Any comments?

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Neill, Yes it was an option and sometimes the checkering can hide a repair! D grade guns are the best bang for the buck in Parkers this is just my opinion, I have owned many nice D grades wish I had a couple of them back! oh well you can not keep them all. Gary

[John Campbell]

Although D Grades were made with English walnut stocks, Parkers are notorious for splitting stock heads. Especially with overloaded US ammunition. I would suspect any D with checquered "cheeks" has had a split stock head repaired at one time in the past.

Best, Kensal

[Bill Murphy]

Spend forty bucks, get a letter. I only own one checker cheek D and the cheeks were on the order.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

I have an o frame DHE16 with checkered side panels also. I have tried hard to find evidence of repair, even with a magnifying glass, but cant find any irregularities. I would probably have to remove the stock to really find out. The factory letter does not mention it as a special order in 1905, but it was returned to the factory in 1910 and the letter states the stock was "redressed", whatever that means. Ihave had differing opinions on it from knowledgable Parker people--some said it was as right as rain, but others felt it might not be Parker factory work. One of these days I will take it to one of the sxs shoots or PGCA meetings and get an opinion from people far more knowledgable than me.

[Rick Losey]

oh well you can not keep them all.

where'd you here that

on the internet

they can't put anything thats not true on the internet

uh - Bonjour


:rotf:

[Bruce Day]

Neill, D grades were not standard with checkered side panels, however they were about a $3 option. I have seen a few, but not many, that I believe are likely Parker side panels. Early ones were inletted with a beveled edge, later ones not necessarily inletted and beveled.

Of course posters above mentioned that checkered side panels often hide a cross stock head repair pin. Another reason is that during the 1960's and into the 70's before preservation of Parker originality became as important , it was in vogue to fancy up these old fashioned Parkers with checkered side panels like the high grade ones, and even to chop off the skeleton butt plates and add white line recoil pads. Many were done that way in upstate New York. In Kansas City, Simmons would even strip off the Parker inscribed top rib and install their special wide, flat topped ventilated rib .

Parker catalogs provide that D grades were made with "Circassian" ( Juglas regia) walnut, while late 1920's catalogs and thereafter state J. regia or black walnut ( J. nigra). The black walnut came from Parker's usual supplier in St Joseph, Missouri, now American Walnut Company.

Attached is a photo of a C with Parker inletted and beveled stock cheek panels. Notice that the checkering is fine and even. Coarse and uneven checkering would be an indicator of non Parker work.

Records do not necessarily tell all details on a Parker. A person needs to be able to tell through a variety of indicators what is correct and not. Additionally, many guns went back, records may or may not exist of that work or if existing, may be incomplete.

[Bruce Day]

The second photo is a Parker original on a D , inletted but not beveled, courtesy of Billy Bob in the hills. Notice the quality of the checkering.

[Rick Losey]

very neat work - and nice picture

thank Billy Bob from us for sharing

[Brian Dudley]

A letter will help a lot here. If the checkered panels were factory work, it would have been noted on the order. In my research for an article I am writing, I came across a DH grade gun that was factory checkered on the action panels and the record books do state this.
In this case the checkering was finer than the wrist was.

But no, the DH was not offered standard with checkered panels. So if you see them, they would be special order or added later. A lot of times, the quality of the work can weed out the later additions pretty quickly.

[ED J, MORGAN]

Bruce, You take nice pics. C you in Minn.

[neill mcinnis]

The dh I have been looking at is correct except for the side panels. Very clean gun and nothing to be ashamed of but the side plates makes me have reservations. I may buy it anyway.never can have too many.

[Rick Losey]

if you know they are not correct, look closely inside the checkering for signs of dowel or wood plug that would cover a repair to the head of the stock.

[neill mcinnis]

Bruce , The DH I,m looking at have side plates quite simialer to your second pic.Its a nice honest DH but the side plates are difficult to figure. Thanks for the assistance.Neill, D grades were not standard with checkered side panels, however they were about a $3 option. I have seen a few, but not many, that I believe are likely Parker side panels. Early ones were inletted with a beveled edge, later ones not necessarily inletted and beveled.

Of course posters above mentioned that checkered side panels often hide a cross stock head repair pin. Another reason is that during the 1960's and into the 70's before preservation of Parker originality became as important , it was in vogue to fancy up these old fashioned Parkers with checkered side panels like the high grade ones, and even to chop off the skeleton butt plates and add white line recoil pads. Many were done that way in upstate New York. In Kansas City, Simmons would even strip off the Parker inscribed top rib and install their special wide, flat topped ventilated rib .

Parker catalogs provide that D grades were made with "Circassian" ( Juglas regia) walnut, while late 1920's catalogs and thereafter state J. regia or black walnut ( J. nigra). The black walnut came from Parker's usual supplier in St Joseph, Missouri, now American Walnut Company.

Attached is a photo of a C with Parker inletted and beveled stock cheek panels. Notice that the checkering is fine and even. Coarse and uneven checkering would be an indicator of non Parker work.

Records do not necessarily tell all details on a Parker. A person needs to be able to tell through a variety of indicators what is correct and not. Additionally, many guns went back, records may or may not exist of that work or if existing, may be incomplete.

[Rich Anderson]

I wouldn't let the checkered side panels worry me to much. I have 2 DHE 20's with them and some say it's factory some dissagree, me I just shoot them and enjoy them.

[Bruce Day]

Don't pass up a nice gun just because the checkered side panels are questionable to you. You know, some are crappily done....those are easy to reject. If they look right, why not proceed?

Several of us were looking at a buddy's new gun several weeks ago and he was pointing out a small and insignificant issue on a beautiful and uncommon gun. We likened it to having Miss America standing in front of him and him pointing out a pimple on her _____. You like the gun, it looks right, don't fuss about pimples.

[edward mccay]

...

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Can I hear an AMEN!! to the responses from Rich and BD!!

[Dave Suponski]

Here is a factory D grade stock with checkered side panels from around 1900. The letter states this was a requested addition. This is the"It's all wrong gun"

[Rick Losey]

Dave - if thats all wrong for you send over. i could get over that wood on that gun