Hash Marks on VHE Beavertail Checkering
 

I have a 1935 12 gauge Skeet VHE. The beavertail forearm appears to be original except for the large hash marks at the front of the checkering. The wood apparently was refinished at some point as some of the finish is wearing off. Looking for some opinions as to leave it alone, or have the hash marks removed/blended to make look original? I have learned a lot about the few Parkers I have aquired over the years since joining the Association last year. All started years ago when my father passed my grandfather’s VH (with oringinal hang tags) to me. All I remember is dad saying they were quality shotguns.
Thanks for any input.
Tom B.

Maybe they were put there as some kind of reference so the shooter would consistently hold the forend in the same place? I like that kind of stuff, it meant something to somebody sometime. Looks like a great gun, I'd let it be.

The gun looks to be in very good condition. The only thing I would try if it bothers you that much is to try and steam them out very carefully. They won't be removed completely but just might lift them so they are'nt as prominent.

Daryl, I think those are cut into the wood, if so you can't steam cut grain. I would leave it as it is part of the history of the gun. Just my two cents.

I agree with Chris. I'd leave them be. However, if they bother you, I think trying to blend the wood to remove them could ruin the shape, as they look pretty deep. I believe the best way would be to extend the checkering forward of them, and recut. There's so much un-checkered wood, it wouldn't look out of place.

That is a darn shame.

Parker checkering patterns were laid out with a template and to extend the checkering to hide the hash marks would look WAY out of place.

IMO just leave it, otherwise you would be sacrificing the gun's originality.





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There's a story there--you just don't know it yet. I'd let it be and enjoy the intrique.

Thanks for your thoughts. Like I mentioned, I never gave the hash marks a lot of though until I joined the Associated and wanted to learn more about my Parkers. I have reached out to the gun shop where I purchased the shotgun for any history. It was on consignment, I believe as part of an estate. I offered $1,600.00 and was told “the family” accepted my offer. Also, now requesting a research letter that may shine more light on this gun. I plan to leave the hash marks.
Tom B.

Wow, reqlly nice gun at that price!!! Congrats!,,

I kinda like the slash marks, particularly at that price. Maybe they represent every time he broke a hundred straight. :)

Other than to make it your life quest to disagree with me, I can’t believe adding about six lines would look WAY out of place.

The pattern could be extended to cover the marks. It would be more than 6 lines though.
The marks would have to be filled first since they are so deep. Yes, the pattern would be different than typical V grade BTFE patterns. But the average person would not know.

It would help if they actually made the cuts parallel to the checkering.

Or add a few brass tacks and it could be tribal folk art. Or a WF stamp, cut the barrels down and it could be number of completed stagecoach service missions.

I think I would leave it as is.

If I were to pick THAT gun up for that price, I would consider the hash marks as a sign from God!

What would be super cool is if a letter on this gun specified two lines forward of the forend checkering parallel to the end of the checkering, left and right.

I think if you sent the forend to Marc Larson he might simply make them disappear.

http://https://www.marklarsongunart.com/

PML

Double ditto......if you wanted them gone..

Thomas your gun needs the comb flatten/ straightened, the front of the comb @ the wrist needs to be reshaped to duplicate Parker manufacture, the Sunburst pad replaced, a complete refinish, and those hideous scares removed from the BTF. By making replacement wood dowels that closely match the forend wood and milling grooves with a ball endmill and a little Testors enamel you can have a near perfect repair. This is no original idea but rather utilizing the repairs others have employed. I have witnessed plugs in 2 high grade Lefevers becoming lose after stripping the wood. Also Rich Beyer in his L.C. Smith book relates a story of the gunmakers in Fulton presented a gun to a customer that had 10 plugs in it and the customer thought it to be perfect.

Craig,
I don’t understand. Why would I change the comb on an original stock?
Tom

Craig, where are you seeing the buttstock to make these recommendations? In the photos I just see the forend and I would not call the two marks "Hidious" and I would not recommend the repair that you suggested, I think Mark Larson would be a much better idea

The gun was sold by Carolina Sports and it still be listed on gun international, it was there yesterday. You don't need 20/20 to see that the top of the comb is convex and that the front of the comb has been butchered. I'm also sure it did not leave meridian with a Sunburst pad ( Ithaca). Yes Thomas the stock on your gun is original to the gun and appears to be sound but the positives end there. Mark Larson may make a perfect repair but there are at least 5 gunsmith living within a 2 hour drive of myself that are just as capable.

Craig,
Thanks for your input. I was aware of the Ithaca pad before the purchase and had ordered a Silvers pad as a replacement. As far as the stock is concerned, it fits me well. Tom

Thomas, maybe the best for you to do is to use the gun for a year or two it certainly won't hurt the value of your gun and it maybe lethal on clays or game as is. I tried to buy that gun but was late to the offering. The fact that the gun is not marked skeet in - skeet out on the barrel flats maybe slightly detrimental to its future value both having mod/mod chokes gives you choices. Enjoy! Craig

I can guarantee THAT will never happen.

Pure fantasy Brian......I know....but I am the eternal optomist!

If it fits you and you shoot it well and you like it, then leave it be and enjoy her. Or send it off, spend a bunch of money, not add much value, then get her back a year or so later and finally take her out and enjoy her.

I'm more in to instant gratification these days.

Okay, now we need to see pictures of the buttstock please.






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Though I hunt with 2 parkers with 1 5/8 DAC, I need close to a two inch drop at the comb for a shotgun to fit me just right. That is what this gun has well as one of my 20 gauges.
Here are the pictures. Go to town!
Tom B.

Hunt and shoot the hell out of it! If it fits you that's fantastic, oh and don't listen to other's opinions, if the gun fits you and you shoot it well that's all you should care about and at the price you got it for it was a steal.

Nice wood, nice gun and it fits you. What’s not to like?

Yeah, the comb was taken down in krder to alter the fit for someone in the past.

Just a pet peeve I know, but it makes me shudder when I see the name of the city, that owes so much to the Parker family, slaughtered. The name is Meriden

Edgar, you are right that there is no excuse for misspelling Meriden! The author must have been too damn lazy to look it up. Craig