Just got my first Parker -- help, please

Vlad Vladykin · 09-04-2009, 03:43 PM

Hello everybody,

I am new to this board, just registered. I have been collecting older guns for quite some time and a nice Parker was always on my wish list, for the time in future, when I can afford it. However, yesterday I walked in a local Pawn shop and walked out with a Parker for $375. I believe it is either PH or GH grade -- I'll look closer on the markings (and post pictures) when I get home. There are hunting scenes engraved, with a hound. Serial number is 71413. Damascus "Twist" barrels with a many light dings on the surface, but just a couple barely noticeable from inside of the barrels. Bores are excellent, shiny, no rust or pitting. Metal is in great shape, I think, with rich brown patina and no pitting. There is a little play in metal parts when closed, not too bad for 120 years old gun.

The problem is the stock. First of all -- it had been cut and fitted with a recoil pad. Oh, well, not a problem really. Second, the gun was used a lot, it seems, and the stock cracked internally. Someone tried to fix it by gluing it together with some carpenter glue (probably in 50s) and when that did not work -- driving a bolt right through it. I was worried that drilling damaged something else -- no, they missed all the important organs, it's the stock only. When I took the bolt out, I immediately noticed the side-by-side play. Then I detached the stock -- the crack runs through half of the length and two pieces of wood are broken off.

Since the stock is original and numbered, I would like to try and salvage it. My plan was to use good epoxy to fix the vertical crack and reattach loose pieces, then to use wooden peg and more epoxy in place of that bolt, and then wood epoxy filler to cover the holes from the bolt on the surface. Then I'll stain the filler to blend in.

Several questions I need your help on:

Is $375 a good deal, considering stock and couple of bolts (see below) are the only problems?

Is this a good plan for the stock restoration, or it'll never work (fall apart the first time I shoot it) and I'm just wasting my time? What will be a better plan, then? Having it restored professionally? Getting a new stock? I'd really hate to do that... Any ideas/experience sharing here will be greatly appreciated.

Any suggestions for surface cleaning? I thought of gently rubbing the barrels and other metal with 0000 steel wool and Barricade rust protection solution to bring out the metal a bit and to get rid of dirt and light surface rust. It might take off some patina, though. Any better ideas?

As far as shooting Damascus, shall I be concerned about the gun blowing up? Gunsmith in a local store told me I should get a $100 diagnostics they run on the barrels (something that analyzes barrel's metal integrity and involves electricity and metal powder) before I shoot any Damascus gun, or -- be prepared (Gloves/mask)... Shall I use only black powder or are there some light loads that can be used in these guns?

And the last one -- where can I order replacement bolts for the sear plate? Two front ones are damaged with the wrong size screwdriver and the one near the guard has the head completely stripped -- I had to drill. Another bolt that was broken and had to be drilled out is the one that goes through the stock on the very back, the end of which is visible just behind the safety switch. Need replacement as well.

Sorry for the long message. I'll post some pictures when I get home.

Thanks in advance.

Vlad

John D. · 09-04-2009, 04:04 PM

Hi Vlad.!

First - WELCOME!!

Great first post and I'm sure someone will step up to offer advice, or where you can get your parts or.. Well

Anyway - can you please PM me so I can get your Login/screen name set? I think you missed this:
You MUST use your REAL FIRST and LAST NAME as your login name.

Looking forward to both your pictures and your PM!

Best to you!

John

Vlad Vladykin · 09-04-2009, 04:09 PM

Thanks, John.

PM sent.

Vlad

John D. · 09-04-2009, 04:13 PM

Vlad - you are all set my friend! THANK YOU!!!!

Best to you!

John

Greg Miller CTGunLaw · 09-04-2009, 04:42 PM

Galazan in CT at CSMC has full sets of screws for a Parker for around $40. That is the good news. The bad news is that they need to be fitted, which includes turning/grinding down the dimensions. Unless you are a machinist, a job for a good gunsmith. And, dissassembly is somewhat complex. I believe the screws were left over from the Parker Reproduction guns and they are in the white and oversized. Your screws are also probably engraved, so you will need to have an engraver do the screw heads if you want it to match. Likely to cost about what you paid for the gun, but you bought it so cheaply, not the end of the world.

If the gun has dogs on the sideplates, sounds like you have a DH or a CH. If it is a DH you did very well. If you have a CH, hats off to you for the deal of the century. What is the barrel length and is it pistol grip or straight grip. There was a lot of variation but I would expect birds on a GH and a unique pattern on the PH.

A bunch of people who specialize in repairing stocks. I believe I just saw a post on a company called Stockmasters. Many gunsmiths will work on stocks, but this board can help you with people who are good at it.

Post some pictures. Look forward to seeing what you found. Always great to find people who want to restore guns that have been poorly cared for.

PS- The primary source of info is a two volume set called The Parker Story. A bit pricey but a wonderful resource. Historical letters are available through the PGCA site. According to The Parker Story ("TPS") many of the Parker stock makers came from the Carpathian Mountain region.

Welcome.

Vlad Vladykin · 09-04-2009, 07:54 PM

Thanks, Gregory, for your advise.

Just got home and took some pictures. The model stamped is CH. The barrel is 30". Please see pictures attached.

You can see the stripped screws on the sear plate.

What do you think of the condition? Shall I attempt to clean it? I read in my Blue Book CH is a rare model.

Thanks again.

Vlad

Mike · 09-04-2009, 08:09 PM

Nice find Vlad! Even with stock issues what a deal. I've always liked the fishtail levers also. Do the numbers match on frame, fore end and barrels?

Mike

Greg Miller CTGunLaw · 09-04-2009, 08:14 PM

If it is in the serialization book, should answer some questions. My best guess is that it is a GH, where someone upgraded the engraving. Looks like it has a PH base plate.

Cool fishtail toplever. Enjoy.

Vlad Vladykin · 09-04-2009, 11:15 PM

Thanks, guys, this is great!

So it's not that valuable, I guess. Good, I can shoot it then without guilt.

So, someone upgraded the engraiving and stroke "CH" on the waterplate? Interesting.

To answer Mike -- yes, all the numbers match everywhere, including the stock. I took it apart to clean -- all the main parts are stamped with that serial number, down to pretty tiny ones.

The marking is as follows:

On the waterplate:
Pat'd Jan. 18, Aug. 16, 1887
May 7 - Oct. 8 1889
71413
CH
Mar. 15, 1875

On the down side of the barrels:

A
2 (frame)
71413
413
C
4,5 (weight)
T inside the circle
Pat'd Apr. 12, 1876

That's all that I can see.

Jent pointed out PT/Grade O. What is that, I don't see any info on that in my Blue book.

Also THE BOOK, is that the Parker Story that Gregory talked about?

What about condition, in your opinion?

Ans as far as cleaning/shooting -- any pointers there? Like are twist barrels usually safe to just go and shoot 2" 7/8 ounce loads? Or is this diagnostics really necessary? Any good gunsmiths in Minneapolis, MN area?

I'm getting long again. Sorry.

Vlad

George Lander · 09-05-2009, 11:27 AM

Vlad: Like Jent said, your gun is listed in the Parker Serialization book at a PT or O Grade gun of 12 bore, 30 inch barrels with a capped pistol grip stock made in 1892. BTW are related to Vlad the Impaler?

Best Regards, George