What can be done with a Repro
 

As most of us know, the engraving on the Repro DHEs was mostly machine cut. Some areas of the gun had hand engraving, like the top lever, the buttplate and the trigger guard. And the flat machine cut areas had a little hand embellishment here and there. For the most part, this results in the lack of dimension and detail in the engraving.

I took a Repro DHE 20g. and polished it all up and then replaced all of the major screws on the action, buttplate and guard with clean thinner slotted screws. Then I asked Mr. Gournet to completely hand embellish the engraving and add as much detail as possible to the scroll work and game scenes. I wanted the gun to look completely hand cut, and more like an original late production Parker gun from Meriden or Ilion.

See below some before and after photos which are really quite striking.

The gun will end up being bone charcoal case colored.

Attachment 76974

Attachment 76975

Attachment 76976

That looks very nice!

I suspect you’re going to get quite a few requests for this “makeover”. I am anxious to see what you do with the stock and fore end. Really nice!

The wood was previously covered in this thread.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=26177

I am currently working on a couple repro makeovers and the engraving embellishment was discussed, but the additional money was not wanted to be spent.

This one here is my personal gun and will be used as an example piece for what can be done with these guns if people so desire.

All I can say is "wow". That's going to be a great personal gun. Good job.

Great job Brian & my compliments to the artistry of Mr. Gournet!

I've always wanted to have the engraving enhanced on a repro myself. After seeing this one, I wish I would have!!

I am amazed at how great and real the pheasants look!
Bob Jurewicz

And don’t forget to have all of the Winchester markings and “Made in Japan”
polished off the barrels

Another “wow”

Other than added detail and dimension, the major thing that hand cut engraving adds to the equation is light reflectivity. That shimmer in the cuts are what helps it stand out once case coloring is done.

I was looking at this gun today some more and it is simply knockout!

I need to get it into Nitre Blue with my next batch soon and off to case color once a few others in process are completed and ready for pickup.

Did the frame need to be annealed before the engraving was re-cut?

If not and this were my gun I would consider leaving it silver and not have it case hardened. I think case colors & bluing hides the details in engraving in many cases. This engraving looks so good the way it is, I would leave it that way with a possible coat of lacquer as replaceable protectant.

What's your thoughts?

Case Color it is. The hand cutting of the engraving will certainly help the appearance of the engraving through case colors. I am not concerned with the appearance of it.

Repros do not need annealing. And they do not even need hardening. The steel they are made of is a modern composition and is suitable for use as a frame as it is. That is why you see so many modern guns with silver receivers. The Repros had a stain put on them to simulate the look of case colors to try and get the "look" of a vintage gun.
Fortunately though the steel does not need to be hardened, it does take case colors very well and look no different than the original guns when put through the process.

I have seen this gun, with a second unaltered physical example next to it. I will tell you, they aren't even close! The work that has been done transforms this from a good gun, to a great gun. My friend, Jolly Bill, had it exactly right on those Pheasants too, they are amazing! The photo's don't do justice. The background scenes added to the vignettes bring them to life, I can't wait to see this one come back from CC. My compliments to Geoffroy and Brian for their artistry, and attention to the smallest of details. It makes a difference.

Hi Ken,

It was our mutual friend Bob Jurewicz that posted how great the pheasants looked.

He is absolutely right on. They look GREAT.

Bill,
See! The details do make a difference. ;-)

Thanks to you for the correction, and apologies to Bob.
Ken

Great project & pictures Bri.
Thanks! Tom

Though not a higher grade motif, that is definitely C or B grade execution and quality.





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I heavily debated upgrading the gun to a C. Unique for sure since C grade repros were not made. I considered this more when I was going to checker the stock as I wanted to put down a C pattern on the wrist. But decided to stick with keeping it a D. And at that time I was not completely sure that I was going to do the engraving embellishment.
The major difference in the engraving motif would have been the addition of more border work on the side panels. It would have required having to wipe out a lot of the original engraving on the sides to give room for the borders.
It certainly can be done, but I was wanting to maintain is as an example of what can be done with the factory D platform.

I also considered doing the "Parker" name in gold to set it apart. But also decided against that.

I like your work Brian. I too ended up recutting a repro D. Fixed cracks through the wrist, checkered to hide. Then Mullered and then on to the forend etc....turned out to be a different gun all together. Good job on the metal!