[QUOTE=Bruce Day;10283]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Clarence Kavanaugh
I recently registered on your forum to get information concerning the Parker shotgun. I practically know nothing about the firearm other then it is considered one of the great American shotgun if not "thee" greatest produced."
Response: The best source of information is The Parker Story, cost between $300 and 280. There is substantially complete information about Parkers and Parker Repros. I recommend purchase and study of TPS before getting into Parker purchases.
"My question is concerning the differences between the frame sizes that I keep hearing about (0, 00, 1-4)."
Response: Frame sizes are specific to gauges and weight within gauges. In the 12, there is much variation. Almost all 20's are 0 frame, all about post 1910 28's are 00 frame, since your interest is in 20's and 28's.
" I'm not much interested in the guns prior to the forged steel barrels and to be more specific, I'm mostly interested in guns that are either in the 20 or 28 gauge range."
Response: Parker used forged steel and iron in composite barrels, usually called Damascus. Parker used compressed, extruded fluid steel in later barrels although Damascus barrels were ordered by knowlegeable shooters until 1927. Twenty gauge Parkers are available in the lower grades with minimal searching and moderate expense.....$4000 -$5000 can get you a decent enough VHE. Twenty eight ga guns are scarce and costly. A nice 28ga VHE Parker will run you $16000-22000. Parker Repros in 28ga are much less costly. A nice 28 Repro can be had for $5000-6000.
Many people new to Parkers start with a Repro.
"I would also like to know how the reproductions guns match up to the original as far as adherring to the specs or have the manufactures taken liberties?"
Response: Repros were modeled after late Remington Parker guns and are very close to them , with parts interchangeable with originals. In Repros the engraving is not as deep, its machine cut, not hand engraved, the case colors are thin and easily worn. The wood used can be brittle and somewhat prone to fracture, so some have had to replace stocks after a fall. The stock finish is modern shiny and some have refinished their guns to make them more pleasing to the owner's eye. Repros are fine guns, appreciating in value and in a personal comment, I can't see how a new person can go wrong with a Repro.
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Thank you Mr. Day for taking the time to response to my questions.
As you can see I'm about as knowledgeable on Parkers as a brick is. I'm now in my 50s and have decided that I would like a gentleman's gun and have fix my sights on a Parker base on their reputation for the quality of material/workmanship, their elegant appearance and reputed handling characteristics. I will take your advise and see if my local library can get the book "The Parker Story" on a lend program. I would prefer to put the $280-$300 towards a Parker if I still want to go this way after reading the book.
I would prefer to shoot the 2-3/4 shell, but noticed that most Parkers are listed as 2-1/2. Besides the Reproductions, is there a time period which Parker/Remington made this conversion to the 2-3/4 shells or is this something a smith that refinishes these fine guns could do by lengthen the chamber without harming the gun or its collectibility?
Also is the Reproductions fix chokes or screw in? I would prefer fix on a gun like this.