DHE stock
 

I recently ran into a 20 g DHE for sale. The owner thinks the action and barrels are refinished but does not know if the wood is original or just redone. I am not well versed in Parker's. If it was restocked its too good or me to tell on my own Any suggestions or hints which would help?

Is there a way to get the original specs on how the gun left the factory without getting a letter.

This would be the most expensive gun I ever purchased so trying not to make a mistake.

Any help would be appreciated.

J

If you lift the trigger guard and look in the stock inlet where it rests the serial number of the gun will be stamped there if the stock is original. Take out the screw, lift the guard out of the stock inlet and turn the guard (the front of the guard is threaded and screws into the frame.) enough to see if the number is there.

BE CAREFUL not to do damage to the stock or screw slot.

The surest way to tell if the stock is original is to pull the trigger guard tang, the serial number should be stamped in the channel along with the grade number.

If he won't pull the guard, carefully study the shape of the stock and compare it to similar grades on this web site. Parker DHE's should have the proper shape of drop points, similar shape of checkering to include mullard boarders, and the flute of the comb is short and does not extend down. A skeleton butt plate was standard on D's and higher. If it has a skeleton butt plate and it's inletted well, it's probably original wood. All these things you can study.

As far as finding out what the original stock dimensions were, you will need a research letter.

Or you could get the seller to take pictures (close up and in focus) of the stock and you could post them here for opinions.

Thanks. I do not think I can risk turning the screw. It does have straight grip with skeleton butt plate and the fit is perfect. It is either a really good replacement or really good refinish.

I did take pictures but the critical ones did not come out. I need ask for more.

J

If it's an original straight grip stock it should have two tang screws, if not they may have extended a pistol grip trigger guard. Also the skeleton butt is a pretty good indicator, if the screws are flush and properly indexed it's probably original, it's near impossible to reuse a skeleton butt plate and screws and have them fit 100%. For the money, if there is any doubt you should get the letter. Your going to want it if you buy the gun, if you find something that isn't correct you could save yourself thousands. Good luck!!

Thanks to everyone for the info.

You should try to post a few decent pictures of the stock or at least one side shot that shows the whole stock. Sometimes it's obvious if it's been replaced as the shape or checkering or the drop points will be wrong. Even a decent cell phone picture might do.

what do you think?

The apparent absence of the oval in the bottom of the butt stock would make one think it is a restock job and I cannot tell if the fore end wood is a redo due to the distance in the pic.IMHO

The drop point on the stock cheek looks wrong, but it could be the angle. The checkering looks incorrect as well.