Modified Parker for sporting clays?
Gentleman,
This is my first post to the forum. In the 1970s, I was introduced to Parkers when learning to shoot skeet. One of the guys at the club shot a VH 20ga skeet...shot it very well! I went on to shoot registered skeet with O/U tube sets and dabbled in sporting clays over many years.
I recently stumbled onto a modified Parker that has me dreaming about bringing it home. I would like your help in deciding if this gun is worth owning. My desire is to own a shooter for SxS sporting events. I am not a Parker expert so bear with me if my description lacks important details.
12ga DH receiver with serial of 56xxx on trigger guard, 40% case colors with bright color in protected areas, appears that a varnish was applied over the receiver with brown spots here and there, lever right of center, extractors, manual safety, Miller non-selective single trigger.
30" steel barrels (not Damascus). I believe serial number is too early for Titanic steel which suggests the barrels are later mfg and have been fitted. Original rib milled down with Simmons vent rib added. Lock up is tight. Did not have my bore gauge with me to check constrictions.
Non-original stock of fancy walnut with modern dimensions (approx 2-1/4" DAH, 14-1/4" LOP) with Parker pattern checkering. Forearm original and heavily dinged.
This gun was obviously set up years ago to shoot trap. I really like how it handles.
Questions for the forum:
1. With the Miller ST, will the gun be reliable for a round of clays (inertia set for second shot using 1oz light loads, no doubling)?
2. Is the age of the receiver a concern?
3. Do I need to research barrel steel origin to make sure it is a safe shooter? If so, how do I go about doing so?
4. Given that the gun has no collector value, what would be a fair price to pay for this very neat shooter?
Thanks in advance for your opinions, suggestions, and wisdom.
Cliff
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