Not quite a basket case, but close. Need a good Parker Gunsmith
 

I picked a Parker VH Grade made in 1906 about 10 years ago for cheap, real cheap. It had some garage gunsmithing done on it, a bad carving job on the butt stock which I'd like to replace and it looks like some one even used an easy out on one of the screws. Now the good part, It looks like all the parts are there, the bores are nice and shiney and when close the barrels are tight against the action. I black powder hunt with other double classics, a L. C. Smith, a Fulton and a Model 99 Forehand Damascus hammer Double (the most fun). I would love to get the Parker up and running. Can anyone recommend a good Parker gunsmith? Here are some pictures of the Parker. Thanks, Steve

you could contact Brian Dudley on this board- search his name to see some of his work

but something to think about- if its a 12 ga you can be under water on the value of a VH real quick

Be careful - the stock doesn't appear to be original - there's no evidence of a shield in the bottom of the stock.





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Keep in mind. A stock replacement can be somewhere around $2000.00 plus or minus a few hundred either way. The trigger plate screws need replaced & I see the top tang screw is backed out some & you don't know what the internals look like until it's opened up.

Over all this one could be like a boat. "A big hole in the water to throw you're money"

I'm not saying don't do the work, I am saying: Have your eye's wide open going in.

At least the lever is still to the right :rotf:

Yeah but that screw is holding it there...






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sorry - duplicate post.






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This gun is a good example of a Labor of Love if it were to have any work done to it. Other than using it as a shooter as it sits, any money thrown at it would be more than the gun is realistically worth since so much of it has already been abused and messed up.

Well, at least he didnt pay much for it("cheap, real cheap"). I see no reason why it wouldnt shoot, so would make a good rainy day/ beater gun. Or good project gun for someone who wants to try a little "gunsmithing education".

at least the forearm looks unmolested.

I hate to be mean but I can't help making a comment about the 3-lines-to-the-inch checkering on the stock cheeks. So I'll just say "interesting" :)!

I know, that was the funny part. Just trying to lighten the mood....seems like some of the forums I frequent have been running hot lately.

Never give up on a Parker. Two or three new floor
plate screws, a couple of cheek panels laminated over that great carving, lots of walnut dust mixed in with glue and checkering filled, recut forend checkering and two new pistol grip panels cut and finish the wood yourself and a nice five yard gun on the cheap.

I sold a favorite Remington Parker VH because someone got carried away and screwed the checkering and then went deeper so that the stock was flat on one side of the grip. When I next saw the gun the checkering had been filled and recut and one could not tell it had ever been anything other than factory.

I buy the same junk because it is a challenge.

That stock will never be right again. No point in throwing any labor or money at it.

Steve,Since the bore's are in good shape I believe your Parker is worth restoring,I've restored many guns that were far worst then yours. J.J.

Wow! You guys are a tough crowd. My goal is to have this as a hunting shotgun and I think I can achieve that goal without too much expense. I don't want a full restoration but rather a gun that is functional and safe. I know it will require at least a full disassembly, cleaning, lubing, at least one screw (Can be a replica screw), the barrel wedge (saw the original is broken) and reassembly. Now for the butt stock,it is numbered to the gun and has the Parker cap on the bottom of the pistol grip. I like idea of like wood panels on the side and to fill in the 3 lines per inch checking with walnut dust and epoxy. Then rechecking. And a new recoil pad. The butt stock I can do myself but I'll leave the rest to a Parker professional. As far as cheap, I only paid 50 bucks as is, so not a bad investment! Thanks to all for the gunsmith recommendations and comments. I really enjoyed them, especially the 3 lines per inch checkering. Steve

A Parker is a Parker. I would say be creative and build a shooter. None of us are as young as we used to be and any restoration work on us would be a waste, just ask our wives! But, this is a Parker and if you have good barrels and it's tight on face, hey, have fun seeing what you can do with it and send us some pictures of what it brings home for you.

What frame size is the gun? You can get a screw set (serviceable) on ebay for pretty cheap. Serviceable real Parker stocks come available now and again, as well. There is nothing quite like the feel of a Parker Brothers slim wristed stock in your shooting hand when it's time to shoot. Good luck!

Some guns are shooters. Lets look at the positives. Great bores, locks up tight, wood is solid the butt stock is not cracked through the wrist. Replace the wedge and screws and enjoy shooting it. If you really like the way it shoots for you start looking for a butt stock or since you seem to be familiar with wood work, take it on a summer project. For $50.00 I would have torn my pocket getting the money out.

That side panel checking leads me to believe it could be the Caesar's Parker.

Yeah but Caesar who? Maybe Sid Caesar! I'd guess you'd need a letter to tell you that. It certainly didn't belong to Tsar Nicolas of Russia.
That gun should still make a good shooter.

Jack K

Clearly anyone could see by the design that it is a tribute to Louis XVI.

[QUOTE=Dean Romig;197216]Be careful - the stock doesn't appear to be original - there's no evidence of a shield in the bottom of the stock.


Hi Dean, You are right and I stand corrected. I took a real hard look at the butt stock and thought it does seem to be a Parker stock off of some model it is not the right one for this shot gun. The numbers I mistook for matching the guns serial number are not. When I took off the butt stock and upon closer examination you can see some wood shims, poor relief cuts and even some filler. So...I have a lot to learn. Steve

I will resort this gun, make new wood for it, repair lock up, engraving, new screws, I only can fix pitting inside barrels
My name is Paweł Janusz, please email me for pictures and look up pictures in my profile albums too

Pawel, do you have some before and after photographic examples of Parkers that you have repaired/restored? I'm sure we would all like to see them.

Yes, sir. I'm in works on 3 of them now, best is to go to my profile picture albums to see sample of work, you can see more on www.pjgunmaker.com, and always can contact me with your email, be happy to get you specific pictures. Feel free to call at 224-595-4463. I'm having thousands of pictures. Also reputable references available.

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Join Date: Mar 2016

Location: Ingleside
Yes, sir. I'm in works on 3 of them now, best is to go to my profile picture albums to see sample of work, you can see more on*www.pjgunmaker.com, and always can contact me with your email, be happy to get you specific pictures. Feel free to call at 224-595-4463. I'm having thousands of pictures. Also reputable references available.

I agree with Dudley, is this project worth it?. NO.
Find a nice gun and buy it and you will be saving yourself a lot of money.

I see this all the time, when someone brings a gun in this condition wanting to restore it. Gunsmithing is expensive and there is no way economically to restore this gun and have it be worth what you will have into it even if the gun was given to you. If you want to try your hand at gun smithing and work on it your self that is ok, but if you want to end up with a nice gun that is worth what you have in the gun then look around and buy a nicer gun.

Lol

that is true, that is what happen when you looking for a gunsmith and when you want to make money on the restored gu . Look for a passionate artist that truly understands what restoration means from art/museum point of view not a body shop view.

Either way, whether it is going to be re-sold or put into a museum it is best to start with a gun that is not too far gone.

As long it was never redone and rust didn't created too deep damage and inside bores are OK I can restore it to a perfect factory condition or refinish to customers recommendation, no matter of how much of original all is gone. Otherwise project runs into category of more or less remanufaturing/restoring and I do that too but mostly on guns 50k or more value.

I get very suspicious anytime someone uses the word 'perfect'. But I am guessing English is not your first language so I will cut you some slack on that...

I developed this experience over the years of fine work: there are a lot of people with guns and ideas, there are only hand full of this who can put out truly work of art. Lol