Just picked this 20 gauge up!

Bryan Davis · 10-19-2010, 08:46 PM

Hello to everyone! This is my first post, and I am glad I found this site! First off, this is my second Parker shotgun. I will admit that I do not have a ton of money, and my first Parker is a Trojan 12 gauge made in 1914 I believe and it is a well worn work horse, nothing pretty.
As for my second, I picked this up for my son. It is far from correct, but I am wondering a few things. First does the serial number register anywhere and have any other background info? Secondly, I know that somebody really screwed this fine shotgun up with the rebluing and the chroming/nickleplating, but is it worth restoring? Mechanically it functions perfectly! (Sometime in the future)
Being a 20 gauge, I have heard that the chambers may be short, I will have to have it checked. I believe that this one was made in 1923.
Finally, did I do okay with price? I bought this and a 12 gauge Fox Sterlingworth for a combine total of $1200. The Fox is in decent shape and is quite functional.
I am sorry that I have so many questions, I am just excited to have gotten this Parker, and I want to get as much info on it as possible!

Thanks in advance!
Bryan Davis

Dean Romig · 10-19-2010, 08:58 PM

That Trojan looks fine to me. Tha barrels have been reblued and that's okay. The frame (or receiver) has been polished, not nickle plated and that's okay too. You can have it cyanide colored if you wish or blued or even the more expensive charcoal color case hardened... your choice. I think it's a great little starter gun so just be sure to start the boy with 2 1/2" low pressure loads. Loads that kick a kid hard are the most sure-fire way to scare a kid away from shooting at all.

GH-16 · 10-19-2010, 09:07 PM

Bryan,

From what I see in your pictures I don't think your gun has been plated. I think the action has just been polished to a high sheen and with some use it should dull out some.

The bigger concern if I'm seeing things correctly is the barrels look like they may have been hot salt blued rather than rust blued. The danger with hot blueing Parker barrels is the top & bottom rib's are soft soldered to the barrels. The blueing salts used with this type of process are corrossive and may eat the solder away and the rib's may come loose over time.

If I were you I would have a competent double gunsmith look the gun over for safety and shootability. If he gives it his blessing just shoot it the way it is and have a bunch of fun with it while doing so.

Bryan Davis · 10-19-2010, 09:11 PM

Thank you for the info. so far, I will get the barrels checked. Any ideas on value?

D. Shane Burton · 10-19-2010, 09:20 PM

The main thing I would check before I shot it would be barrel length. I just found out that two Parkers I recently bought had been cut down in length and this affects not only the value, by their shoot-ability.

There are some members here who can reference a book they have and possibly tell you how long your barrels should be according to the serial number.

I've looked up the serial number with the tools on the main website and, yes, your gun was made in 1923.

I hope your barrels are okay. Everything looks good in the pictures, but we can't see the barrel tips.

Another new guy,
Shane

Dean Romig · 10-19-2010, 09:21 PM

I think you did exceptionally well on that package deal.

It was made with 26" barrels and a "P" grip which usually represents a round knob pistol grip in other grades but which is the standard on the Trojans - just a pistol grip, flattened at the heel of the grip without the cap seen on grades 0 and higher.

Bryan Davis · 10-19-2010, 09:51 PM

Okay! Well, I just checked the barrels and they measure out at 26 inches, and the stock fits the description just as you described. It seems that this Parker has been well taken care of, just messed around with with the polishing. I will try to post pics of the wood and the checkering tommorow. Thanks Again!

Harry Collins · 10-19-2010, 10:02 PM

Bryan,

I looked the gun up in the "Book" and Dean is spot on about this Parkers 26" barrels. I have my fathers Trojan 20 gauge and it is a dream to shoot. 2 3/4" shells ar fine to shoot even in 2 1/2" chambers. Again, Dean advised you well about the 2 1/2" shells. However if you keep the 2 3/4" shells to 7/8 oz of shot at 1200 feet per second or under you will be equally served. www.rstshells.com has some lovely loads that are very friendly to these old guns and to young and old shoulders alike.

Harry

D. Shane Burton · 10-19-2010, 10:08 PM

That's great, Bryan--you got a good one with uncut barrels! I'm happy for you.

Shane