Original Meriden Charcoal Case Colors

[Bruce Day]

Here are some Parkers with high original condition charcoal case colors, dating from the 1910's through the early 1930's. After the Parker production move to Ilion in 1936, a different process was used and the colors became brighter, less subtle, and often striped.

The photos of the near new 20 ga Trojan is interesting, because the highly engraved surfaces of high grade guns usually do not show case hardening colors as distinctly as non engraved surfaces.

Sharp eyed viewers will notice that the floor plate screws on the last photo, a 16ga CHE Bernard, have rotated. I'll correct that this winter.

[JLoew]

Great educational posting, Bruce. I hope others will join you and post some photos of original Parker case colors. This is real eye candy!

[Bruce Day]

I'm sure this is old hat to an experienced Parker person but it may be helpful to a new collector. It helps to know what they should look like.

Of course there is nothing wrong with a silver frame Parker with colors mostly or entirely worn off. The issue to many collectors comes when a gun that originally had the muted Meriden charcoal case colors is redone with the bright, tiger striped cyanide case colors applied by more recent restorers.

[Ray Masciarella]

Bruce

Is it your experience that Parkers before 1910 have slightly different colors? I know they did when made by Remington. Just wonder if the colors evolved between say 1880-1910.

Thx, Ray

[Bruce Day]

Brad Bachelder has identified several different periods of Parker case colors. Yes, I see a difference but I don't know enough to define the periods and define the differences. When we are discussing subtle color variations it reminds me of wine descriptions, a hint of blackberry, a touch of cassis, subtle lingerings of wild cherry.....

[Ray Masciarella]

I know almost nothing about it, but observation is that later hammerless guns had more blue and less pink. On the other hand, it seems earlier hammer guns had quite a bit of blue/gray.

[Paul Harm]

Brad does the case coloring for some big name restorers. He's doing a gun made in 1874 right now for me. Maybe he'll chime in.

[david ross]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

I'm sure this is old hat to an experienced Parker person but it may be helpful to a new collector. It helps to know what they should look like.

Of course there is nothing wrong with a silver frame Parker with colors mostly or entirely worn off. The issue to many collectors comes when a gun that originally had the muted Meriden charcoal case colors is redone with the bright, tiger striped cyanide case colors applied by more recent restorers.

Hi Bruce.
Please could you tell me what colours my vhe Remington Parker has. Charcoal
cyanide or bonemeal oil ect' And are they ok or to far from a origanal 1937
PARKER.
All the best Dave.

[Bruce Day]

They are not the tiger striped cyanide colors that many find objectionable and not true to the originals. Late Rem Parkers were color case hardened by a cyanide process that left brighter colors than the charcoal process. I have seen enough cyanide colors to know that they do not have to be bright and striped and much of the coloration depends upon operator technique.

I believe that these are likely charcoal case colored and may have a lacquer spray over them. IMHO they are attractive. Others will have their own opinions.

[david ross]

Thanks Bruce for your help.
All the best Dave.