Go outside on a good sunny day and the numbers under the rib will sometimes jump out at you with no tools required. You will not be able to read them but you can tell they are there. From there you're gonna need the dental mirror and a light most likely. The mirrors are cheap at the local hardware store. The absence of the numbers does not confirm the rib is not Parker.

Never heard that one before Rich, interesting. Never say never, eh !

Look at the dolls head. If flat then it was made for vent rib frame which is not dished out like non vent rib guns are. Also the ramp may or may not have the V cut depending how late the gun is. Here is a sample.

PML

Also, on a Parker made for a ventilated rib the top of the frame at the breech will be flat across.

Parker Pages published an article with pictures that explains this. It was written by Dave Suponski.




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Randy, is right sometimes there is no number on the underside of the rib, I had a mint DHE high comb stock with a vent rib and it lettered as such but no number under the rib.

I think that was I who first posted about my finding the stock to that #gun. Many years later I actually located the barrel set and fore end. It was for sale for 3500. I am not crazy about vent ribs so I passed, the vent rib was described as excellent work but not factory.(BTW the owner of the barrel set is very good about Parker knowledge) The main frame and trigger guard are still "gone to the wind". They have not been located that I know about but maybe then, they have. I seriously considered the barrel set but then we would have a job locating a coveted Remington period frame. Then we would own a very nice pile of parts, some matching numbers some not. At this point a trusted and very skilled gunsmith would be hired to fit the gun together... I chose not to take that road and would rather take a similar sum of money and purchase a nice shootable D grade 20 gauge not perfect but not a beater either. Best of luck Paul
Ps. Someone can bring that thread up use the serial #237,731 I think.

Hey Paul I read your original post about finding the stock at an estate sale. Do you still have it? Do you remember the name of the man who offered you the barrels?