P-serial numbered guns (informal survey)
 

I wonder how many P numbered guns there are. I have P-420 and in talking with a knowledgeable source it is not known how many there were. They are supposedly the prototypes. The label in my case indicates 500 but I have read that there may have only been 5. Mine being P-420 could validate there being 500 or it could indicate the 4th as a 20 gauge. No real way of discerning other than asking others that have a P- numbered gun to indicate it’s number. If you have or know of one please consider sharing.

Here’s my 20 gauge P-420 and the label in the case. I have learned that this gun was sold to Cape Outfitters by Reagent Chemical originally.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture...ictureid=13164

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture...ictureid=13159

I remember Don having at least two (I think) of these on his table at a gun show years ago

P-00415
A 20/16/16
Bob Jurewicz

Don, how was 1982 arrived at for the year of manufacture of your Parker Repro? The reason I ask is that it has long been reported that Parker Reproductions were built from late '83/early '84 until 1989.

All I know is that this label was in the case when purchased. I am not sure how that information was obtained but I believe that John was the person who first owned the gun.

Bob,
Interesting how they listed the serial number changed. I don’t have any leading zeros.

Don,
The zeros should appear as part of the complete serial number on both the water table of the receiver and the barrels. The number without zeros appears on the trigger guard.
Bob Jurewicz

I never noticed that. I will have to pull her out and look.

I own a 20 gauge with the serial number P36 on the trigger guard and P-00036 on the frame.

So it looks like we are trending towards 500 being made as mentioned on the label as we have 36,415, 420. It would be nice to confirm it by having a serial number or two found for the 100’s, 200’s and 300’s. I wonder who has who has P-1 and P-500.

I had P-374 until a couple years ago.
James Orr

The information about the date of manufacture, correct or not, probably came from John Bugden when he created the fine looking label. John is a talented guy and probably knows calligraphy.

I've seen records of P numbered Repros shipped in '88 and possibly later.





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This is an old thread about "P" guns.
http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3468
Bob Jurewicz

I believe this one went at auction a few years back, #447

2 barrel set with original cloth cover.

Interesting note is one set is marked 2 3/4, the other 3 inch shells

That would be interesting if both barrel sets were 26" long, or if both barrel sets were 28" long. But, it is typical of how the 20ga. 2-bbl. sets were stamped and chambered when one barrel set is 26" (2 3/4") and the other 28" (3").

So thanks to Bob and his reference to an older post we know that P serial numbered guns only exist in 20 gauge and they started with P-26. So at most there are 474 P serial numbered 20 gauge guns. It would be interesting to see if there are actually that many.

Having seen evidence of S/N P-11 and P-23 I'm going to suggest the possibility that P-1 through P-25 were gifts or sold to very special friends or family members or business associates and that official sales documents begin at P-26.





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The P guns were the first run of the repros. They ordered 500 20 gauge guns to test the market before committing to more guns. They started production in 1982 and shipped most of the first ones in 1983. So a production date of 1982 is possible. We had several P serial numbered guns at Jaegers that were under serial number P100. I have heard of P numbered 28 gauge guns but don't recall seeing one.