Just got my first Parker -- help, please

[Vlad Vladykin]

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