Parker Stock layout
 

Here are a few photos of a DH 16g. 0 frame that I fitted a replacement stock to. The stock was an original Parker DH stock from a 1 frame gun. The head and grip area needed a little reworking to fit the smaller frame.

This original stock had been broken and repaired once already in the past. Look at the grain flow!!!
It goes to show that not all original stocks were laid out all that well. I had to farther reinforce the wrist by inserting a slug of maple under the guard bow tang. As to make sure the wrist would not be a problem again on this stock.

I also have an original unfitted Parker blank that is laid out the same way as this one.

Attachment 27804

Attachment 27805

Nice refit, Brian. The grain on that wood is nice enough that someone would pay a bit extra so he/she could be seen carrying it. Structurally, from your description of the repair you did, the wood is probably not so good for gunstock material.

Yes, without additional reinforcement, this stock would no have lasted long.

Here is the other blank I was mentioning. This is an original Parker blank that someone started shaping at one point. It is laid out the same way.

Attachment 27806

Looks to me like the feather crotch walnut blank should have been cut further up the limb to avoid that mish mash around the head of the stock. Reminds me of the joke about the two guys standing at the urinals in the gym.

Brian,

Forgive me for resurrecting this thread, but I was curious what about the grain flow made the stock structurally unsound for shooting? Is it the grain changing directions in the neck head area or what?

The grain going across the wrist is what is undesirable.
The grain should flow with the wrist.

It doesn't really cause issues with shooting, but makes the stock more prone to breaking due to drops of falls. A stock with cross grain will flex bad.

It really surprises me that the stock pictured didn't have the patented hickory reinforcing rod... unless of course, the stock predates the first application of the reinforcing rod.



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Pretty wood nonetheles

I've got dozens of blanks that look like that and that I thought I would never consider using but may change my mind.Lots,maybe most,pretty wood does not fit the commonly accepted criteria for proper layout for a stock for a double gun .