What have I got?
 

Recently picked up this Parker 20 ga for a friends widow. I don’t know anything about Parkers this being my first. It is a beautiful gun with 28” barrels and tight and solid. It has nice wood BUT the stock is a Monte Carlo style.?! I don’t think it is original but a reputable shotgun mechanic in our area said it was not uncommon for Parker owners to send them back for customization.
Love the gun but I want to know more about it.
Thanks in advance for your help and valuable input.

The Monte Carlo looks like an addition. Still looks like a good honest gun

Agree with Mills; looks like a stock splice. Looks well done though!

Lawrence we have learned many times to "never say never" but the odds are probably approaching 99% that the Monte is not original. Post the serial number and we may be able to tell you a little more if it's in the book.

What looks like a splice is actually the grain. It is one solid piece of wood. But it is a restock that is not factory. There is nothing about the stock that suggest it may have been done at the factory.

The forend is original.

I agree with Brian. Clearly a restock rear, original front. looks like it would be a nice shooter!

Serial number 155009, thanks for the input.
If I put a proper stock on her would that help the value and shooting experience?

Unfortunately that one is not in the book but there are surviving records available. You should/could join the PGCA and get a research letter on your gun.

But the letter won't confirm that stock replacement. It wasn't done by Parker Bros. or Remington.





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True. Just for clarification it was not my intention to imply that it would.

I will go out on a limb and say that work was most likely not done by the factory. 99% sure.

That said, you would be surprised some of the stuff that WAS done by the factory. They turn up interesting info often.

Always order a research letter, is my philosophy

Absolutely - but a letter would confirm several other aspects of the gun.





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I’m thinking the buttstock is a replacement, not spliced. Pad definitely not original. I would imagine a good wood man could remove the comb and replace that pad with something more appropriate.

Something special about 20ga. V-grades.

You mean like gold plated screws in a forend iron Mills :) Who would have seen that one coming. I'm with you on the letters, order them for every Parker for sure IMO. Along that line I have been reading some G&H info on a B grade Parker, incredibly thorough to say the least. Mr. Beach wrote a novel for some $50 in 2011 when this one was written, WOW !

Hold on, experts. "Not in Serialization Book" means the stock book is missing. "Surviving Records Available" means, although the stock book is missing, order book or other information is available. Contrary to the experts' statements on this thread, proof of factory modification of this gun may be included in the "Surviving Records". A letter could have this information.

the butt stock doesn't have mullerd borders.

Lawrence, you are asking two (potentially) conflicting questions. Have you shot the gun, and if so, does the stock fit you? If the stock fits and you are hitting consistently -- that's a pretty good shooting experience to many. If you are wanting to be more of a purist (assuming the butt stock is not original as many have speculated), then maybe the addition of a replacement stock would be in order. As to whether adding an original style stock would help the value, probably some, but maybe not to the degree of the cost of the replacement and what you might have in the gun already -- if getting your money back out of the gun is important to you.

Your own personal outlook and desires should be a good starting point as to what to do regarding the stock once you find out more about its origin. I would suggest that if you do get a replacement stock, keep the one the came with the gun...it's part of the history of the gun.

To add to the other comments: Consider getting a letter. A research letter can really add to your enjoyment and understanding of the gun, another part of the "shooting experience."

I noticed a tiny bit of rounding on one of the screw head slots. It wasn’t turned using a turnscrew made of pre-WWII angel’s breath. The gun is obviously worthless and should be sold for pennies, to me;-)

Thanks for the great input. My ambition is to keep the gun and enjoy it in the field with my dogs. I am not interested in recouping my little investment but enjoying the gun as a shooter and a conversation starter with my pals.
I have shot it with low pressure loads and it points and shoots better than I could have ever expected. I was interested in the stock only because it was an issue with my local guys who insisted that I should change it to more conform to the standards that Parker Shotguns should exhibit.
Personally I like it as it is and will probably leave it and enjoy!

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Moses should have put that as the 11th Commandment

I respect and agree with your plan to enjoy the gun "as is". Nevertheless, so that you can better appreciate the entire "Parker experience", I encourage you to join the group and obtain the research letter. Good luck!

To shoot it and enjoy it is the best plan. Money spent restocking an entry level shooter quality old double will not be recouped.

You have dogs? All of our suggestions will change. Researcher's will not change. Restocking is a loser.

Surely you are referring to John Moses Browning :)

Two britt’s

A trap shooter would keep fixing it til it was broke.

2 Brits...
 

Beautiful dogs!!