Refurbishing my first Parker

[Elvin Ehrhardt]

Guys hopping for some guidance here. I’m a new member and I’m preparing to start working on refurbishing my old Parker that I recently acquired. It’s a grade 3 DH manufactured in 1893 and yes it has Damascus barrels. The action locks up tight and there’s no play anywhere when assembled. The engraving is still clearly distinct but a little worn, it has 28 in barrels shiny clean bores and choked .713 Right and .716 Left. Small dent about 6” up from forend on right barrel (barely visible). The barrels both bell ring when hung and tapped, so the wielding of barrels and rib seem solid. There is a darkening of the stock where is meets the receiver and the splinter forend from excess oil bleeding into the wood. The gentleman I purchased the Parker from told me it was his great grandfather’s and had been handed down over the years and well taken care of, but he didn’t want to own a gun. I have refurbished several old Winchester’s successfully in the past, but this is my first Parker. I’m pretty good on dealing with the things that are going need done and I know a gentleman up at Wyoming Armory in Cody Wyoming that does very fine work at Color Case Hardening, but I’m a little hesitant to deal with all the chemical processes involved in doing Damascus. I’ve been looking around and have yet to find anyone that does traditional restoration of Damascus. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[B. Dudley]

Bear in mind there is no functional reason to have to re-case harden your frame. Doing so would be purely for cosmetic purposes. And for the sake of the gun, should really only be done if EVERY other part of the gun can be made to look like flat new. Or else it does not make sense. And of course, if the appearance would look proper for a Parker. Many times it it just best to leave the frame original as it is. Especially if some original finish remains.

[Elvin Ehrhardt]

Yes, I understand and I’m still contemplating how far to take this. My first thought was to make it as close to what it looked like when it shipped to its original owner. But, it doesn’t necessarily need to go that far. I am a collector of sorts, but I do use everything I own. As for the Parker I intend to have it checked out thoroughly and if cleared I would load light Black Powder shells for it, but I also plan to have it fitted with some Briley 20gauge tubes, to get even more pleasure out of the old gun. I was really lucky that the original owner must have been close to my stature because the drop and cast is right spec for my fit. But thanks for the input.

[B. Dudley]

Black powder is not necessary to shoot the gun.