Modification by Parker or others?
 

I have another GH Parker from 1893 that has what appears to be two reinforcing bolts in the stock just to the rear of the receiver. At first glance, it does not appear to be the kind of work Parker would have done but I wanted to share this and see if anyone has seen this type of work before and whether it is indicative of a later Parker repair. Thank you, Richard

i would say this work was not done by parker...charlie

Welcome Richard! It would be unusual but not unheard of. A research letter might answer your question. I remember one other Parker that has a pin repair done by the factory

A bike chain link. That is a new one.

Good catch Mr. Dudley. When did Parker produce bicycles?

Letter Parker Bros. to R. L. Keeney, Somersville, Connecticut, February 4, 1911:
“We are in receipt of yours of the 1st, also gun, which we have examined and find what you describe as a swelling of the stock is in reality due to the fact that the stock is split in the head. This was caused by some strain or blow at some time. We could repair this temporarily by putting a screw or bolt through the head of the stock, bring it up to its original location, and this would cost about $2.00. To clean and repair action would cost about $2.50, rebrown barrels $5.00 and to reblue all the iron parts $2.50. This would put your gun in practically as good condition as new. We would be very glad to do any part or all of this work which you might order. The most satisfactory way to repair the stock would be to put on an entirely new one, which would cost $13.00 net. We have set your gun to one side and will await your further instructions before doing anything with it.”

I've never seen an example of a pinned stock that could be positively identified as "factory work" but as evidenced above such work was offered.

Brian beat me, it's a chain master link ,new one on me too.

bike link
 

That would be an awfull wide bike chain??? But it does appear to be some sort of chain link.

they just used the link plate as sort of a washer/nut not the rollers which give the chain its width

Is this a similar repair ? I have never noticed if there is a screw or bolt running through the stocks in that location .

Yes. No sort of hardware, wood plugs, or similar belong in the cheek of a Parker gun.
This is always a repair of a split head, or proactive measures taken by someone who was afraid of the head splitting.

Some choose to make them look nicer than others.

I would really be curious to see a gun that was documented to have been pinned by the factory and what it looks like today.

Chuck has told us about a Parker where it was requested by the person who ordered it to proactively reinforce the stock head.





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Was that a common problem on certain Parkers or frame sizes ?

As I recall in the case of the gun I referenced, it was a heavy 12 or a 10 that might have been intended by the owner to shoot heavy loads on waterfowl.





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Now if it is an Iver Johnson bicycle chain that would add collector value.

DHE Right Side stock head reinforcement.

One of the nicest I have seen.
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