Pappys 20

[Bobby Hamner, jr]

In a previous thread I have detailed the history of this Parker, as I know it. I have concerns with its condition and would like to know if bringing it back to like original is the proper course of action. I would leave the wood as is, considering this attributes to my families use of the gun and lends to its history.
Looking at the frame in these pictures, is it possible that the bluing preserved the original case colors

[John Campbell]

This is a very nice gun that should NOT be messed with ("restored"). It's hard to tell from the photos, but if the frame and action have been blued, I'd have that cleared off carefully by a pro, leaving a muted "silvered" surface... and leave the rest of the gun alone.

If the frame is original case, leave that alone! These old guns look far better as old guns.

[Bobby Hamner, jr]

Thank you John. The frame has been blued at some point. The photos though, give me a new perspective, almost like being able to see past the bluing to what may be case colors. I agree with you in "old guns look far better as old guns", my concerns are in preservation.

[Daryl Corona]

I could'nt agree more John, the gun is beautiful as is and shows wonderful patina. The bluing can be removed.

[Brian Dudley]

When the frame was blued, it would have been polished in preparation for the blue. This removing all the case colors. The frame will still be hardened so do not think that it needs to be re colored from a standpoint of function.

The bluing can be chemically removed without too much problem using a couple different methods. The result, as previously stated, will be a dull grayish finish since the metal surface is being etched somewhat. Most will see this gray surface more attractive than the bluing. And the bluing job on that frame is not very good or at least it has no held up well.

In order to properly strip the bluing, the frame would need to be completely taken apart.

As for a restoration of the case colors. It should not be considered unless the WHOLE gun is being restored. Or else it will look out of place.

[John Campbell]

Bobby:
I do not mean to be contrary in any way, but the colour on the frame of your gun can be nicely removed without immersion in any substance, or with any chemical etching effect. The proper method will also retain highlights of the gun's engraving. PM me if you would like more detail.
From your photos, it does not appear that any deleterious polishing was done.
Again, I'm only trying to save a very nice old Parker here...

[Brian Dudley]

Given the look of the frame on spots, it looks like the finish is chipping off. Maybe this gun was coated with something and not blued.

[Bobby Hamner, jr]

John, I agree with your non etching point of view and preservation of the gun is very important to me. This, somehow without taking from my grandfatheres history of the gun. This is why I am somewhat torn between leaving it as is, just maintaining its current condition, or reconditioning it to help in its preservation. The only issue I can find, others that ascetics is it being slightly off face.

Brian, the chipping on and around the lever is a bit confusing to me as well. The last time my grandfather would have used this gun would have been in the late 40's to early 50's and any work he would have had done to it would have been some time before that. I'm not sure if this time line helps in identifying any processes that may have been used.

Bobby.

[Richard Flanders]

That's a relatively valuable and nice little Parker. I think I'd be tempted to send the receiver off to Brad Bachelder in Michigan, along with the pictures of the rest of the gun, and instruct him to do what he could to make it look 'right' without recasing it.

[John Campbell]

Certain bluing processes were akin to a "coating". And the "blue" peels away over time. Old Winchesters are noted for this. This may be the case with your gun. The good news is that they didn't buff the gun much before bluing. A pro can make it "old and right" with modest effort. And Bachelder would be a good choice.

[Richard Flanders]

The chipping finish looks more like flaking case hardening than bluing to me. I have a 1918 GHE12 that has similar and odd flaking of the case hardening. The floorplate looks cased rather than blued and doesn't look like it's flaking. The top tang is the same but is flaking along the edges. Are we sure the frame has been blued?

[Bill Murphy]

Hooray to Richard Flanders. No one who has posted has any idea what the finish is on this gun. This gun is a diamond in the rough and maybe the "rough" isn't too bad. We really don't know if this gun was blued or not or with what method if blued. Don't do anything before you send it to someone who knows what finish is on the gun. It is a valuable gun and the wrong decision can reduce its value by thousands of dollars. From what I have heard, Brad B. would be a good choice to evaluate the situation. There is no way a 213,000 range gun is off face as much as the pictures show and the poster admits. Something is wrong that can be easily corrected. This is a great GHE 20 that has a few easily corrected faults and will be worth a bunch.

[Bobby Hamner, jr]

Bill and Richard, with my limited web knowledge concerning the processes of bluing and case hardening, I wouldn't doubt that I was mistaken. I didn't think of the possibility of the case chipping off. If this is truly the situation, I may have that diamond in the rough you mentioned.
As for it being slightly off face. With the foregrip off, there is a bit of movement in the action. A simple notebook paper shim on the lug removes the movement. Also, without the shim, the foregrip lever will not fully depress without breaching the gun. The shim solves this issue as well.
I certainly wouldn't think of molesting this gun before it was inspected by someone very very very familiar with Parkers. Did I stress very enough? This is the exact reason I have joined the PGCA. With 100% of the members knowing more than I, and the passion for Parkers here, I knew I couldn't go wrong.
Thank you and everyone else who has posted here for your concerns for this Parker.
Bobby

[tom tutwiler]

The wearplate may be a tad worn and replacing may tighten the gun right up with almost no effort. A pro (Brad) can determine that in a second. The good news is that is a relatively easy fix and also pretty inexpensive. I have a VHE that was a tad loose and replacing the wearplate made her as tight as a drum.