Bill, while I have not viewed this gun yet, I understand from everyone I spoken with that the forend is a "piece of wood". As I have not seen any photos, I am unable to determine what that means. I take it to mean that it is an unfinished piece of wood inletted to attach the hardware. You are the second one to suggest that a forend can be made for ~$200 so I am guessing there must be some history with having this done.
Your guidance on the barrels being key is taken to heart. I am intending to have a gunsmith have a look before I make a decision.
Let me share one more piece of information. I am obviously new to this forum. I am also new to Parkers. I am also brand new to SxS guns in general. In fact, until quite recently I had never shot a SxS, only seen/saw? a few and had little to no desire to shoot and certainly not to own one. A good friend forced me into a hunt this early fall that introduced me to Parkers and worse yet a group of guys who draw you in with the techniques and the morals of the best street pushers. First they let you look at their guns (many quite wonderful) then they offer to let you shoot one, then maybe just carry one for a morning...... The next thing you know, well you get the picture. What kind of friends are these, after all?
So back to my tale. With little knowledge of SxS guns and no knowledge of Parkers I am drug (there is that word again) to the table having a desire to own a Parker and to take my own into the field. My experience with the blood sports goes back a ways and has some breadth but a huge gap in SxS makes it necessary for me to take on a serious research project before buying anything. In fact I can hardly figure out what to look for so research is of the paramount.
Again, one of these ne'er do wells mentioned earlier, was kind enough to loan me a few back issues of Parker Pages, several copies of The Double Gun Journal and graciously a well read set of the The Parker Story. As you see this is all part of an elaborate plan to draw me in further and further to the nefarious mob of no goodnicks who own such infernal machines and use them for their enjoyment and camaraderie. Well, I am on to your game sir, no sir, not me. It takes more than a pretty piece of wood and a well turned set of barrels to draw me away from my other addictions.
So before I make any acquisitions I need information. I am here contemplating the purchase of a gun. I have been encouraged not to acquire this piece and am giving significant weight to this admonition. But I must make my own decision. It further needs to be with some knowledge and understanding as to why to adhere to his suggestion or ignore it that I come to you fine ladies and gentlemen for additional points of experience to assist me. To those who have taken the time to offer their suggestions, I appreciate and consider each of them. I know little of the respondents but it appears one may be a gunsmith and several who are moderate to experienced collectors and maybe one or more are casual collectors and shooters.
To each of you, I say thanks for reading and participating in my education. Shotguns are complex and tricky things that get a lot of my attention. This is an enjoyable journey and one I trust you have made yourselves and/or are making now. If not maybe you can see a little bit of this shooter behind the curtain as you help me on my quest to shoot my own Parker Brothers shotgun.
Thanks, enjoy.
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