My bad! It isn't the Parker Story that states C's can have checked side panels, it's the grade information area on this site that has the reference.

I included the picture of the butt because someone mentioned it looked like there was a piece of leather on the butt. I thought the same thing and asked for the picture.

I hope Forrest enjoys the gun !! I almost sprung for it myself.

Did you go look at the old girl Forrest?

Calvin, I'll see her tomorrow morning.
Buttplate is impregnated with Acraglas or some kind of epoxy.

Sounds like fun!

I don't understand Mike Moffa's comment about "checkered cheeks between serial number". What serial numbers? I think checkered cheeks were special order or aftermarker on C grades. I don't know that serial numbers had anything to do with it. The last picture of checkered cheeks does not look like factory work.

The most important feature of factory checkered cheeks is that the panel should be recessed with a beveled edge. The panel is actually carved out. Then checkered.

There are other more minor things to look for, but If the panel does not look like this, it is likely not factory.

Brian, there is a lot of variation in original Parker checkered cheeks, and not all are as extreme, with repsect to the beveled edge, as the C which Bruce has shown.

This is an untouched BHE, in the 189K sn range, and as you can see there is only a minor bevel to the leading, vertical edge. The panels are sunk below the outer edge, but not as significantly as that which Bruce has shown.
I am not remotely convinced that Forrest's CH is not original, and I don't think there is enough photographic evidence to suggest conclusively otherwise.

This CH as for sale earlier this year.

http://www.foxriversporting.com/prod...s-1896-antique

Same gun, right Will?





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The photos shown on the Fox River listing show the cheeks in much greater detail, and they don't appear to be original, though they are still nice.