For comparison purposes only...
 

Suppose you're having a conversation with a guy over a few beers about all things Parker and he says "Yeah but original Parker Bros. guns offer much better wood-to-metal fit than Parker Reproductions". You can say to him "Oh yeah, is that right? Take a look at these pictures."

The first pic below is a currently offered 16ga. Parker Bros. BHE that the seller describes as 100% new, not refinished, original, collector quality, etc. Look closely at the leading edge of the forend latch and take note of the wood-to-metal fit.

Now, for comparison purposes, take a look at the wood-to-metal fit of the forend latch of a 12ga. Parker Repro DHE that is also in 100% new and original condition.

I realize any craftsman building these guns can have a bad day and all Parker guns are not created equal. But, in terms of wood-to-metal fit, a Parker Reproduction doesn't necessarily have to take a back seat to an original.

Note: The above and below are for entertainment purposes only.:cheers:

I'm going to bet the original is NOT all original and unaltered. But it reminds me of the folks who argue day in and day out that the Belgian A5's are vastly superior compared to the Japanese ones. I just don't think it's true, they may be more desirable not necessarily better made. That's a dandy Repro.

It’s all monetary to me . But I’m also old enough to remmember the older guys who were adamantly against ANYTHING made in Japan .

I dont see much issue with the 16g. It could have been a chip out filled in with some gunk. Or who knows. As to original, there are a lot of claims made that nobody can truly back up, because they were not there.

If you want to make true comparisons to craftsmanship between Repros and original guns, lets talk about the checkering…

I have spent a lot of time looking at the pictures of that BHE 16. I can not convince my self it is original. I hope to be able to see it in person at the Southern if it is still available.
Bob Jurewicz

Bob I am curious. What has caught your attention? Not looking to degrade the gun but you are an astute observer so you have my attention.

Brian would this be the norm in your opinion when comparing Repros to originals or just in this instance ?

I too have been reviewing that 16 for the several months it has been on the market. I need to have the gun in hand, I can’t convince myself that it’s not original nor can I convince myself that it is by the photos.

Randy, that’s an example of the factory checkering on all DHE Repros. I can’t comment on the BHEs as I’ve never examoned one or even seen good pics of BHE checkering.





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The norm on DHE repros. The checkering on all of them is horrible. An original Meriden Trojan is better executed than a DHE repro.

Now, BHE and A1 repros are very well done.

For comparison purposes only...

The top pic is the same DHE Repro forend shown above that the checkering has been described as horrible. How many D-Grade Repro owners here would describe their DHE Repro as having horrible checkering?

The 2nd pic is a BHE Repro forend that the checkering has been described as being very well done. More time and labor was put into its mullered borders with more LPI than the production-built DHE-Grade.

Here is another BHE followed by an A1S.

Then there is what can be done to a DHE with Brian's magic.

Apples and Oranges. If one can get beyond the ghastly faux case colors, and the shape of the nose of the fore end, then consider the age difference of the wood, and the compression of the screws retaining the latch, which can be corrected. I just can't get beyond the failure to understand proper original checkering.

Why faux? Are the colors not a result of a true charcoal pack casehardening?

They certainly don't look exactly like original ccc, but are they the result of some fake, chemical coloring process unassociated with casehardening?

Trying to further my knowledge of repros, not pick a fight.

Thanks, SRH

Yes Stan, they are chemically stained colors and wear off VERY quickly under normal use.





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I have had very good luck holding the colors by applying a very very thin coat of Tru Oil every so oftten.
Bob Jurewicz

My RBL also has the modern chemical coloring. Shortly after I got the gun (Which I really like, BTW) a bit (1/8") of the coloring flaked of from the top of the receiver where the top lever entered. CSM rapidly took the gun back and fixed the issue

Thank you for the reply, Dean.

This "new" information changes everything, IMO.

But some Repro owners have sent their Repros to people like Bachelder and Turnbull to be correctly color case hardened in the “bone & charcoal” method… not that these frames need to be hardened at all. In fact the Repro frames are harder than original Parkers were/are.





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With Brad Bachelder gone, who at Bachelder's is doing their case coloring? Do they send it out? I have several Repro's that I'd like to have case colored the original way

Why not call them?