Edgar,
Me not having a ejector gun can you do what you are saying with a ejector gun ?

yes, no problem.

Not that Edgar needs any support, but I'll confirm what he says about assembly of an ejector gun that has had its hammers dropped with the barrels off.





.

"The gun must be cocked" This is NOT true.

"and also the ejector hammers cocked in order to install the forend." This IS True.

POINT MADE !

It appears the plunger that sticks out of the knuckle is frozen in the extended position.
Don't know why. There was tiny amount of rust around that plunger which is odd because the rest of the gun is immaculate. Soaked it in Kroil overnight with no luck....

Neil, That rust could be an indicator that the gun could really use a strip and clean.

I'll stick my neck out here and opine that there is almost no such thing as a Parker that has not been apart in 20 yrs or more, which would include a huge majority of them, that does not need to be taken apart and cleaned. It's astounding how much dirt, rust, sticks, stones, bugs and grunge you find in those that have not been apart in many decades, astounding mostly in that they still work fine. Some trigger blades that look just fine from the outside are heavily rusted inside to the point you wonder why anything worked.

This particular gun is a Winchester brand, Japanese made, Parker Reproduction. Doesn't look like it's ever even been outside.

Not sure what the lubricant was that was used during assembly of the Reproductions, but if the gun hasn't been apart since assembly, I'll bet it is now thick, sticky and grungy.