It looks like a pre-1919 gun that may have some order book information available. If it is a full Turnbull refinish and restock, maybe the charge for the skeleton butt was just over to top and the customer just said "STOP".

It looks like 179,342 from what I can see.

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The serial number is 178547 built 1917 and the butt plate looks correct for that period based on info on page 103 of the Parker Story. Turnbull said the gun was there for a week and he suspected they only did the metal. The stock has obviously been refinished but the fit and cracks and dings under the refinish would appear to be older than 1995 when Turnbull did it. I have attached two higher quality images for you to magnify and examine. How do I go about obtaining the order book info. I have sent a research request already. Thanks for all the help.

Judging by the position of the oval it appears the stock may have been shortened. What is the LOP?

In fact, the lack of a spurred DHBP on a 1917 Parker convinces me of it.

Just remeasured and it is 14 3/16 - 14 1/2.

It would be nice if your letter indicates the original LOP but 1917 might be too late for that information.... or not.

Flat DHBP's, which SN 178,547 ( 1917) has, started being used by Parker in 1921 and were phased in as old stock spurred plates were exhausted in the various sizes.

Whenever I have reason to doubt the originality of a buttstock, I check for the SN stamped into the wood below the trigger guard tang. Its done in a particular manner, and can be added to a non factory stock, but it is a good place to start.

It is not the originality of the buttstock that I would question but the butt treatment and originality of length which the positioning of the oval and the lack of a spur bring into question.

What do you mean by a "spurred plate"? I have six Repro's but this is my first "original" Parker so I am learning.

Look at the skeleton steel butt plate on your Repros and observe the heel of the stock is relieved in a "widow's peak" to accept the "spur" of the buttplate. This is a feature that was used on virtually 'all' Parkers up until about the year Bruce references - except on guns that were ordered with something other than the 'standard' butt treatment for the grade.