Photos:
 

New photos and some items of note:
Stunning wood for a DH Parker, Thank you Remington!
Trigger is serialized to the gun.
The Frey Mershon "White Line" Pad is in real nice shape, except it's petrified. I'm leaving it as is.
Pistol Grip Cap say's "Parker Bros Meriden Conn". Gutta-percha?
I ordered 100 Magtech Brass shells & appropriate wads. I'll load light square loads of the "Holy Black" for recreational clay's with the family. We shoot at a very informal area known as the "Pawnee Grasslands".

That is one amazing Parker!!... and the price! :shock::whistle:





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That is a gorgeous shotgun. Congratulations on a great purchase.

Wow! Absolutely stunning.

I hear the Sheriff Department on the scanner, they are coming for you for stealing this gun!!!! :shock::rotf:

Is there a particular reason you are going to shoot black powder? (If I understood your post correctly.)

re: Black Powder
 

My reasoning is twofold. First, I have a good supply of Black Powder & components and secondly, 7/8 ounce shot loads will be mild in terms of recoil for an 80+ year old stock. I am experienced in loading Black Powder in 12 gauge, 45-70, 45-75 and 45-90. The only disadvantage I have experienced is having to clean the breech chambers frequently when shooting all brass shot shells and the barrels do get very hot. I don't mind, I'm used to wiping between shots with my BP rifles. I think it's faster to clean a BP bore than with shooting smokeless, though I do stay on top with frequent cleaning so it's much easier at the end of the day. Water is still cheap and I'm pretty sure the shotgun doesn't care one way or the other.
I'm not opposed to using smokeless. I have a case of RST "Falcon Light" that should be a great load for the DH. I have a good supply of Super X 2-1/2 Dram Equivalent, 1oz. size 8 shot and Federal 2-1/2 Dr. Eq. 1oz. 7-1/2 shot. The stated velocity of the Federal is 1165fps. That's faster than any published Parker recommendations. I am not really comfortable using these in my 1938 Parker, but I'm all ears to hear your point of view.
I just checked the RST page and two flats of the "Falcon Light" plus shipping came to $405.00 ... My my!

I don't think I would take the chance of the heat from the black powder loosening the rib.

I wasn't aware that heat could be an issue with the rib. Are you aware of any occurrences of that happening? Considering the total production of VR Parkers I would be surprised if there were any reported incidents of rib fatigue. I'm not discounting your observation and I appreciate it.

I would have no qualms about shooting those RST or Federals in any of my 16 gauge Parkers from Laminated, Damascus, Bernard and up to Titanic as long as the chambers and bores of yours haven’t been altered or otherwise compromised.





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