Opinions are good. Until about 15 years ago all I kenw about the gun was Harry Nye (worlds champion Star Boat sailor) gave the gun to my Father Dick Stearns for a suit of sails for his boat. 15 or so years ago Ted Turner Jr. along with his 1/2 brother and his mother crewed with me and my father on a boat in the Chicago Mackinac race. Just about the first thing Ted asked me was where is the gun? So then I knew it was more than just a gun. But Ted Jr would have never seen the gun it would have just been stories he heard from one side or the other of the family. I suspect now my father could have put the butt pad on it when he got the gun so it would fit him. That would be around 1951. I know he never had it refinished but it could have been refinished prior to 1950. I am 70 years old and know exactly where the gun has been since 1955. That is in a closet in a case. I hunted and shot skeet with my father but he usually used a Davis gun. I have Brownings from the 1960's I use (12 and 20). Just fun info.

So he didn’t actually “give” the gun, he traded it for a set of sails. Minor point of no real import, but just sayin’…

When the company reopened after WW2 my father Dick Stearns and Harry Nye were supposed to be partners. Harry had no interst so the company "Murphy and Nye became my fathers. So yes he did pay for the gun with a suit of sails but they were close friends I don't think Harry used the gun it was his father's who has died in 1932 or so.

Could you possibly take a picture of the complete stock so we can see the wood and pad?

Pictures of Stock
 

Here are shots of the stock ans one other shot of the wood

I may have missed it, but could you show a shot of the grip cap. I presume it is gold, and initialed.

Grip cap pictures. Gold but no initials
 

Here is the grip cap. Gold, no initials. Thank you for asking, to be honest I have never looked very closely to this. The camera really picks up detail. Now I really can't wait from the letter from this organization to see what is known about this gun.

Rey nice. It there a letter available for this gun?

Letter for gun
 

I have sent in the request for a letter and my $40

Refinished or not, it is a rare and beautiful shotgun. Does Parker always mark guns that are returned to the factory?

When you get the letter I would be interested to know if it came with a skelton buttplate and if so, where it might be.

You own a rare and stunningly beautiful piece of Parker history with wonderful provenance. Like many rare collectibles, the only way to truly know it's value is to offer it for sale in a well publicized venue. If it were mine I would have it insured for at least $75k. The butt pad is a pretty good sized wart. I'm not suggesting that you would realize that in a sale, but the likelyhood of finding another one is small.

If it were mine I'd find a period Silvers pad, or a new reproduction to put on that gun.
Anything to replace that white line Pachmayr.

Awesome gun otherwise.

Butt Plate
 

Now I have another question to answer about the gun. I will keep you posted.

With respect to the advisability of retaining or replacing the white line shoulder pad: Has Rich Sterns indicated unambiguously that he is seeking the Parker gun’s value preliminary to selling it? Or is that something that goes without saying, given the unmistakable signs, as recognized by advanced Parker collectors?

Anyway, fantastic provenance, as said, and not the first time we have heard of a gifted high-grade Parker being retained, unshot, unused, but placed in long-term storage out of gratitude and respect by a family member whose interest was in sailboats and sailing, not guns and gunning.