I went to a small town gun show a couple weeks ago. There was one Parker - a VH. It had a replacement straight stock (original long tang). Someone decided such a heavy gun deserves a set of sling swivels, so the stock and the bottom rib got drilled. I was hoping that the butt plate would be original to the Serial Number, so I wanted to have a look. This is the plate
I did remove the screws and have a pair of slotted screws that I was going to use but....
The plate is glued to the wood and the screw holes are not centered to the plate holes. Since I can't remove the plate, I won't be able to see the faint pencil marks of the last three digits of the SN. I sometimes wonder why I can't just leave a lonely Parker at a small town show but it is happier now amonga few friendly members of my little Parker club.
What to do next? Maybe just shoot it as is and enjoy a nice pheasant dish. Cheers, Jack