Serialization book vs gun discrepancy
 

A gun is being be shipped to me next week for inspection and hopefully purchase. The serialization book lists the gun (212796) as a BHE 12 gauge, 32inch barrels with a straight stock and no additional options. The pictures of the gun show a BHE 12 gauge, capped pistol grip, beaver-tail fore-end and a ventilated rib. After reviewing the pictures, the gun appears to me to be all original. Could the serialization book be incorrect? Is there any way that these options can be verified without waiting for a factory letter?

My CHE came out of the factory in 1912 with a straight stock as book listed.
I was concerned also as the gun now wore a beautifull PG stock.
My letter solved the mystery as book showed gun was returnedto Parker in 1917 to replace stock with the one gun now wears.Glad I was able to have this documented..
Bill:cheers:

I will get a factory letter but I need to make a decision whether to purchase or not by next weekend. I once contacted the LC Smith Collectors regarding a similar question on a gun from the same seller. The answer they emailed me was the determining factor in not purchasing that particular gun.

The book has been wrong. I do question the recoil pad on the gun, not a Silvers or Hawkins which is what was normally put on Parkers, stock looks possible refinish, flutes at the comb look a little too sharp. But all of this without having the gun in hand along with a letter is just a guess. Where do you live and maybe a Parker collector close to you could take a look at the gun.

on a gun from the same seller.

Why would you deal with the same outfit again??

I urge you to read page 56 of the Serialization Book.

Thanks for all of your responses.
I thought the ventilated rib and the fore-end look original since they look identical to the trap gun shown on page 401 of TPS (#229815). I figured the butt pad was probably an older replacement.
This gun and the other one mentioned from the same seller are/were not represented as original. It is up to me to do my homework. I have researched all the Parker books I own to determine whether this gun looks original or not. I will get a better idea when the gun is in my hands.
I do realize that the Serialization book has some incorrect information so that is why I posted this question and photos to see if there is a quicker way to help verify originality. Since this gun is a large investment, I will send away for a letter before I purchase the firearm. Any additional opinions based on the pictures posted would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again!

If this is the BHE that the big C has had on thier site, I have had a chance to examine the gun. The trigger guard wood to metal is somewhat ill fitting and there is an extra hole somewhere under the trigger guard tang area. The stock certainly has B grade traits but I believe it was restocked from a straight grip for some reason. The ventilated rib was damaged and loose from the barrels at the muzzle the last time I saw the gun in Hamburg PA. Could have been repaired by now. Examine the gun carefully.
Jared V

This is at Cabelas and I doubt they put any money into fixing the rib. There are lots of b grades and if you want a vent rib trap gun one of our members offered a 32 inch DHE vent rib to me but my desire to have the vent ribs in various barrel lengths has waned. If you want to PM me I'll pass along his contact info. I don't know if he still has the gun.

My friend just reminded that there was a Parker Letter with the gun that specified a straight stock if I recall correctly. Its been about 2 years since I looked the gun and letter over.