Have you ever wondered about the patent dates so permanently stamped into a variety of parts on your Parker? I didn't give them much heed but then I ran into a problem with a GHE. One ejector refuses to re-cock. I can push it into place but it refuses to hold. I'm an inveterate tinkerer, so thought I should be able to deal with this. Now I know the system is considered complicated and not probably the best idea to tackle it but then I figure it can be, if nothing else, a learning experience with the out that there are master gunsmiths who can take over where I give up, if I do.
Try finding a schematic or any kind of instructions on-line for century plus firearms and you soon become disillusioned. Turned next to TPS and on page 128, there is a rather murky diagram of the ejector system. Not much help there. Turn in desperation to the "index" and you will find a reference to patents. Check that and you find "every" patent number ever issued to our favorite Meriden company.
Now on the ejectors in question, the patent date May 7, 1901 is stamped in the fore end iron. Check TPS and find the patent number for that date is 673641. Well, not a lot of help there until you check our great friend Google and instantly you can pull up the patent issued. Several detailed pages describing the system and the three original diagrams submitted with the application. Now those are helpful in this tinkerer's quest. For your enjoyment, here are those diagrams, complete with signatures of some of the names we know. All those lines with reference numbers could have used a table but they are all found in the extensive write-up. It is a brave new world for old stuff. Cheers, Jack
