Reproductions
 

I have a reproduction question. The stock on my Parker 16 guage, VH, 0, serial number 174,124, Vulcan steel is in excellent shape. The pics attached show the condition. Does this matter if not the original? I will follow with pics

16 guage Parker
 

16 Guage Parker stock

The stock appears to be in good condition but it’s not checkered and the pad is not one you wound find on an original Parker. Also, the shape doesn’t seem quite right. So if you are asking if it matters in respect to value, the answer is absolutely. Probably wouldn’t be expensive to have the stock stripped, checkered, and a correct pad installed but the stock, as is, detracts from the value of the gun. The bigger issue I see is it appears the entire gun has been blued. All of the metal.

Thank you

Do you think it’s possible to find an original stock that goes with this gun?

Possible, yes. But personally I don’t think would bother unless you are planning to refinish the entire gun, meaning having all of the metal stripped down to bare metal and then refinished. And given what’s been done to the metal, I would want to make sure there aren’t mechanical issues inside.

Do you mind sharing what you know about the gun? Is there family history that gives it special meaning? Do you want to make it “right” or original?

Given the bluing of the frame, probably not worth the effort or expense. IMHO the gun has no collector value, with or without a correct replacement stock, but is only valued as a shooter. If everything is tight and proper, it may be a wonderful shooter. Depends on what you want.

Mikes right. That’s why I ask why you want to replace the stock. In its current state I wouldn’t do anything with it UNLESS there is some intrinsic value.

Family friend passed away and we always talked about how good it was for bird hunting. He wanted me to have it. I will enjoy as you have suggested.

To me, that background changes the metrics, at least if you plan to keep it and use it. You can certainly enjoy the gun, as is, and the memories. Or, go all in and make it right. You don’t have any $ invested in it now so spending a reasonable amount to have it restored wouldn’t be a waste and it might be a nice way to honor the fellow who gave it to you.

As it sits right now, in terms of market value, it’s not worth much. But the value to you is incalculable. We can’t put a value on that history, that something only you can do.

Reproductions???

Exactly. What does the VH have to do with a Reproduction?

Reproduction as in the stock? That’s what I assumed.

Probably, but in the Parker world, Reproduction is pretty universally understood as a gun made in Japan by Winchester. Perhaps ‘restocking’ might have been a better choice of terminology.

Further, if something is 'reproduced' it is made to look like the original or at least a reasonable facsimile.





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Cut the guy some slack

With all due respect to the OP, he asked and he deserves honest answers. I wish someone had pointed out the negative aspects of the first couple of Parkers I bought.....





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I hope they do lighten up on you, a new forum member. Your questions are legitimate.

Since it is a meaningful gun to you, a little money invested in the stock will make you much happier with a Parker that won't be so obviously restocked.

1. Have some qualified Parker stock man reshape the wood, especially take a saw to the too-long pistol grip and reshape the nose of the wood.

2. Have it checkered in the proper pattern for the grade.

3. Find a used stock shield and have it placed in the proper position.

4. Replace the pad with a period correct pad.

5. Have a correct finish applied to the stock and forend. Just as well recut that also if it needs it.

You'll be happy with it. The bluing can stay if you like since it will never be original. Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for the feedback.

Carl;

We seem to have our share of "curmudgeons" who post here.

Jay

To the original question.....

Does it matter?

I guess that depends on what you want in the gun.

1. If you are looking at it as a valuable collectable, yes it does matter. But, the reality of your gun is, it appears to have been blued, etc. And, it will never be a gun that a collector will have interest in.

2. If you are simply wanting a gun to kill upland birds with, and it functions correctly as it sits today, and you are happy with it.... Then no, it doesn't matter. It's your gun, be happy with it.

Personally, the last thing I would do is spend a lot of money trying to get that gun into something it will never be. An original condition collector quality gun.

Shoot it, and enjoy it. That's what it's setup for at this point.

There is no reshaping what is there for it to be anywhere near correct. It is a total loss from that aspect. As with other materials, Wood can be removed, not added. The damage has been done.
Yes, the gun can be shouldered so that it can go bang and hit targets, but that is where the usefulness of that particular piece of wood ends.

I kind of like it, would not do anything to the wood at all. I have a blued frame restocked 28 gauge that I have never tried to improve. Maybe years from now I will put some color in the stock, but it will always have a blued frame.

Your opinion. But checkering, a new pad, a stock shield, a little bit of money would not kill someone on a gun with zero investment. The difference in a gun with a checkered grip as opposed to a smooth one is worth it to me even if you think the wood is junk. Sorry I chimed in. Just an amateur among experts. :bigbye:

What’s the cost of a newly made V stock anymore ? It used to be about $2000. What is it now? Closer to $3000?

When these stocks are made , there is also an internal construction that can be messed up.

I would not be discouraged with this project. You being on this site tells me you're on the right track. Keep reading and learning. It will come together.

Whenever anyone disagrees with you you seem to get very upset and take on a “woe is me”attitude. What is up with that?
My statements about the wood are from the standpoint of what has already been done, what can and cannot be done given what has been done and what would be a waste of time. Of course it is just my opinion as a craftsman dedicated to doing things correctly.
The owner of the gun can do whatever he wants to do with it. And if he is happy with it, then great. He posted with questions of originality, they have been answered.

Good shooter

I believe, but maybe others don't, that it is counterproductive to criticize what someone has in a Parker, whether it has a dozen warts, or they paid twice too much for it. Yes, you are an expert and I admire your work, but there are many of us who buy "junk" and get a great satisfaction out of bringing it back to usefulness, a modicum of original appearance, or functionality. Not all of us have AH grades stuffed away or in the works, but see the life left in a beat 12 Trojan as worth rescuing from the parts bin. No "woe is me attitude," but just get tired of trying to help a newcomer so that he does not go away and say what a bunch of arrogant jerks these people are. Sometimes you have to sugarcoat an answer instead of telling them in a manner they think it is a worthless piece of crap. I have nothing against you, but do notice you have been thanked 13,775 for your posts but only reciprocate to others with thanks 413 times (a 33-1 ratio). Meaning most of our posts are worthless. No "woe is me," I will shut the hell up as I have for six month periods before rejoining conversations, only to be told again my opinion was wrong. Go for it.

You call it a "waste of time" to try to spruce it up some, but I can see the pistol grip can be reduced in length, the proper checkering pattern put on it, a shield, and a better pad. Not at your shop for I know that you do high end work, but there are lots of good gunsmiths out there who can do it reasonably. I have had some amazing work done by talented gunsmiths at prices I was amazed at for what they did. If it was given to me, I would not think twice about spending $500 in it to make it more functional and desirable as described before in my suggestions.

I guess that is why Americans fought a war against each other over 160 years ago, over opinions. "Over and out."