Thanks for the correction. I have a growing collection of Damascus barreled Parkers and enjoy shooting them. Don't quite have the nerve to shoot modern loads in them, but I actually enjoy shooting low pressure RST loads. Something about the low recoil and weight of the Damascus barrels that improves my shooting.

Oh man, first they tell me I can't shoot my damascus guns, and now they tell me I can't shoot 'modern' loads in my steel barreled guns. What's next? I guess I'll just sit on this stump and let the guys with those up and down guns get the birdies.

I worry more about the wood than the bbls, especially, as Bruce says, on those pesky Reproductions. Trigg had a Repro20 that broke a stock. He sent it off and had a new stock made and on the first test shot it broke clean in half again. Some bad juju going on there somehow. I tailor my loads to the gun and shoot light loads in light guns with thinner stocks and bbls and heavier loads in heavier guns with stout wood and bbls. It's a matter of "it's supposed to be fun" and not an exercise in shoulder punishment. My stout 32" 1883 twist bbl 12ga hammer gun doesn't even burp when digesting old paper 1-1/2oz magnums and the recoil isn't bad at all. My wand-like 26" 6#10oz GHE 12 never gets anything heavier than a lightly loaded 1oz load and we're both much the happier for it and that puppy is deadly on woodcock and ruffies... and chukars...... and pheasants.... and sharptails.

Here is a photo of Parker Reproduction and an original Parker VH in nice shape. They both make me happy.
Below them is a picture of me waiting for doves with an original Parker VHE. Below that is a picture of me with an old departed friend and a Parker Reproduction. I had fun both times and didn't think much about when either gun was made or by whom.
Finally, this is a picture of a cookstove in our kitchen that we use all the time during winter, which lasts 8 months here. My wife and I were once part of a Christmas home tour and a woman on the tour asked me if this stove was a "repo". I told her no it most certainly was not but was made in 1923 and was fully paid for.
:)

What gauge is that stove?

I don't think it matter since it "fires" whatever I put in it.

:rotf::bowdown:

I have only one Parker "Repro" and it is a 28ga gun. From what I have seen, an original will start some where north of 15000.00.....I would never have had the pleasure of having one at that price. Dont get me wrong, I have plenty of Original Parkers, Foxes, Smiths, WC Scotts, JP Sauers etc etc and use them all when I hunt. But, the 28ga has captured my affection and while the Merkels, Aya's and Arreittas I have are wonderful, this is the only way I would be able to have a Parker of any kind in 28

You are right. I want a Parker 28 and a reproduction is the only way I will be able to afford one. My favorite gun in my collection is a Parker Trojan 20, although I have higher grades.

My favorite (not to stray to far from the focus of the thread) is a Parker VH O frame 20ga which has been completely redone and is a seductive looking thing. It even opens and closes as if new....so, a face lift is always an option:)