If it was a good 20g damascus gun, the fact that the barrels had been refinished would not bother me. If they were not damaged by the refinishing, and the price and other factors were right, I'd go forward with the purchase and have the barrels redone properly.

Well, I am finding this thread very interesting as i purchased this particular shotgun a few weeks ago. It was advertised as being original finish but on inspection upon receipt (In good light} I noticed that the left side of the stock was dished where someone had sanded a dent or scratch near the butt plate. The wood to metal fit at the action is very tight, also at the forend. The bores are bright with no visible pitting or dents and the action is tight. The lettering on the rib is clear and crisp. i paid less that the asking price and although it sounds like it is not original finish I am happy with the purchase. Since the stock is dished I am considering restocking the gun with a nice piece of California English and re-refinishing the barrels and action. She's a keeper!

Bore diameter and wall thickness?

Sounds like a great gun Mervyn. Keep us apprised of the project.

The description in the advertisement for the shotgun was as follows "Parker 20ga. “GH” grade light weight game gun on a “0” frame completed in 1900.
Weight: 6 lbs. 1 oz. Stock Dimensions: 14 ¼”x 1 ½”x 2 ½”x straight. Magnificent 28” Damascus Steel barrels with original 2 ½” chambers have absolutely mint bores (.616”/.617”), choked .003”/.015”, and minimum wall thickness of .035”/.034”. Action retains traces of original finish and barrels are a pleasing silver/grey. Original PG stock and splinter forend never refinished with composition butt plate showing minimal wear. Overall a very fine original gun -- tight, dead on the face, and mechanically perfect with all specifications conforming to the accompanying factory letter". I can post the web link to view more pictures if you wish!

Should be a fine gun for you with those barrels. Stockmakers will tell you that duplicating a Parker stock is one of the most difficult tasks in stock making and many replacement stocks stand out as unParker-like. Maybe there is a way the dished in area can be corrected. I've steamed out dents and scratches and I know that a good stock man (not me) can do wonders with fixing problems.

I had a Parker stock duped by a man in Oregon. Very close work and only required some scraping and light filing to fit. PM or email me if you want his name.

Was it Dennis?

Dean,
It was John Vest in Redmond Oregon. His ph# is 541-923-8898

I think the dished out area is beyond steaming. It goes from 0 to about 1/16" to 3/32" at its deepest point and measures about 2" x 1 1/2". I'm not sure if the stock can be sanded down to level out the dished area. it would probably mean that the edge of the butt plate would also need to be sanded. The stock does have good dimensions and could probably be used for duplicating purposes.