Before or after Remington

[William Routh]

I inherited a grade 2 GH in childhood that was apparently purchased in 1934 based on serial #. How might I determine if it was manufactured before or after Remington acquired Parker?

[Garth Gustafson]

The simple answer is if the gun says Parker Brothers, it was built prior to the Remington purchase in 1934. If it says Parker, it was likely built after Remington bought the company. But there are exceptions.

[Dean Romig]

Not quite so...

The purchase and sale of the Parker gun works officially took place on June 15, 1934.

Several Parkers finished after that date have Parker Brothers features and identifiers.

Case in point, the “transition” guns with no makers mark at all on the exterior of the frames.






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[William Routh]

In response to the previous information have attached photos. “Parker Bros” is stamped as the maker. And some of the other engraving is exhibited. Can I say this was a “pre-Remington” gun?

Also, the name of the original owner is engraved on the stock as seen. Would this have been done at the factory or after it was delivered? Thanks

[Dean Romig]

Where are the photos?

And what is the serial number?




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[William Routh]

Sorry-I had neglected to hit the “upload” button-novice mistake. Hopefully they are now attached. Thx

[Dean Romig]

That is a “transition” gun made during the first few months of Remington ownership.





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[William Routh]

Dean-thank you so much for your insights. I am passing this gun along to my son after almost 60 years and he has been motivated to learn more about it. Regards, Bill Routh
Chattanooga, TN.

[Dean Romig]

William, in doing a bit more research I find some discrepancies in available historical data....

We know that ownership of the Parker Gun Works went to Remington on June 15, 1934

Data shows that the first Parker produced by Remington was 236531 sometime shortly after 6/15/34

Your Parker, no. 236401, without any "Parker" engraving, was obviously produced by Remington shortly after that date. Yours is an excellent example that frames, barrels and other parts were fitted and serialized and held in the rack waiting for an order to come in that would require 236401 to be finished AFTER the transfer of ownership.

Burt Spiller's VH no. 236252 was shipped on April 15, 1934, two months before the transfer of ownership.

Parker Brothers produced just 289 guns in 1934 prior to the transfer of ownership and Remington produced 464 guns in 1934 after the transfer.

I owned Parker no. 235908 which had Parker Bros. engraved on the sides of the frame and I have Parker no. 236912 with Parker engraved only on the bottom of the frame. Those are the only two Parkers I have owned that close in production to that June 15, 1934 date.





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[William Routh]

Dean, thanks so much. Will pass along to my son.