Yup, a #2 frame trap is a scarce gun. The pad should be replaced with something more conservative. The length of the wood from the trigger should be about 13 1/2 to be considered original. It is a great gun, worth about $6000 to $7000, maybe less, maybe more. Insurance, maybe $9000, but most of us don't insure. It's expensive, and a safe is usually enough. Looking back at the pictures, I might ask if the barrel flats may include some Remington repair code stamps. It is a great looking gun with about three lifetimes of shooting left in it.

Someone mentioned the butt plate of this otherwise fine Parker. That Butt assembly, IMO needs to be replaced. I've seen Silvers Pads on old Parkers and that is what I would suggest.

As for the owner's slashing remarks? He has probably been educated on other sites which are often rude. We are about Parkers here, and that bloke owns a very nice one. So he is welcome here. I'm sure he'll understand us better as he drops in more often.

To the owner: nice Parker thar dude. I would keep it too. As for insurance? I suggest that you buy a safe and self insure. If you lost your Parker you would never be able to replace it. Buying a quality safe is a pretty safe thing to do.

Yes, many Parkers are expensive, but I don't care. I hanker for another like so many other's. Mine have cost under $1500 each, but I was lucky. If I find one that I can afford I strike like a rattler!

To all:

I apologize if my remarks were taken as abusive or rude -- that certainly wasn't my intent. I was taken aback by what I considered Ruff's over the top critical response. The gun is now at Larry DelGrego's in Ilion and I specifically intend to ask him for a recommendation for replacement of the current butt plate -- I realize (and have all along) that it's not original or period appropriate.

I'm an old car buff and I understand originality and valuation, but I also form intense personal attachments to these historic items, as I'm sure many of you do.

I like this forum and the whole association and assume most of the members are more interested in the utility, beauty and history of these fine firearms over their monetary value. It's this priority of history and beauty above price I was trying to express.

It has been my experience that Mr. DelGrego does not stock age appropriate recoil pads. You should procure and send him a pad to install. If you do not do this, you will receive your gun back with a Pachmayr white line pad with a Larry DelGrego and Son logo. My friends, the DelGregos, may have changed this policy, however.

Well I certainly want an appropriate pad. Thanks for the heads up.

Where would you recommend I look for an age appropriate pad and what should I look for?

Bill, I didn't answer your question about Remington repair codes on the barrel flats. Yes, the code is AMM3 indicating it went back to Remington in March 1943. The web site indicates the 3 stands for "service section received" but I don't know what that means.

3 is usually interpreted "the gun was repaired or refinished". I would prefer the Griffin and Howe Silvers reproduction pad for this gun. You should be able to get one with a phone call and have it sent directly to your gunsmith from Griffin and Howe. Make sure you make it clear to the installer that you don't want the finish on the gun touched during the installation.

Alex,

Check your PM's