Parker GH 68088

[Donald Weber]

This is my first Parker and also my first posting. I just got it and I'd like to tell my story of how it came to be mine and share some of the thoughts and fears, yes, fears that probably many of us experienced, that are coincidental with our first Parker. I was attending a local gun show about three months ago and buying a Parker shotgun wasn't even on my radar. Funny how these things happen. I'd looked at just about everything, when I spotted a shotgun in a dealers rack that attracted my attention. I knew it was a Parker by the recessed hinge pins and the tag bore that out, stating that the model ws a GH and the price was $695.00. I pulled it off the rack, noting the engraving and Damascus barrels. When I opened it, I was amazed to see absolutely pristine, mirror bores. When closed, it was as tight as a vault. Giving it a once over, it looked like a gun that had been in the field many times, but with the care that a truly devoted owner would give. It also looked very original. No, I didn't buy it that day, but for the next week and a half, it was glued to the back of my brain. I knew who the dealer was and decided to reach out and just call and see if it was still available. Couldn't hurt. long story short, it was, since the dealer hadn't been to another show. I committed right there on the phone and at the next show, went to see it again. This time had done lot of research, mostly on the PGCA website and felt more comfortable making a decision. It was a Saturday/Sunday show and I bought a friend (well meaning), who also is fairly knowledgeable about Parkers. He looked at it with me and noted that it should have 30 inch barrels and these measured 29 inches and that they had probably had been cut. I was scared off. I left the show, somewhat disappointed, but went home did more research. I found out that a Parker could be ordered with any barrel length within 34 to 26 inches. If you're still with me, the end of the story is obvious. I didn't care about the barrels. The dealer measured chokes and the left is full and the right modified. I left with the gun, elated. Yesterday, at the range, I shoot trap with it and after making some physical adjustments, the old Parker was willing to break every bird that I could get close to. The shells are 2 1/2 Vintager's from Polywad, inc. High quality product sold by some very nice people. That's my story.

[Bob Hardison]

Donald: It looks to be a nice one to me. I think you "stole" it. Wish I could "steal" one like it as I always pay too much. More photos please showing closups of the barrel flats, watertable, muzzle and etc. The guys here can give expert opinions. Also, join the PGCA and order a letter. It is money well spent.

[Kensal Rise]

A very fine example, in superb condition for its age. Screws look perfect. And as Mr. Hardison laments above... you fairly well stole it for the price! Please resist the temptation to "restore" this gun. It speaks volumes as a working artifact of shooting history. Please consider keeping it that way. It could well use a professional strip-and-clean however. I'd recco Brad Bachelder for that.

[B. Dudley]

Yes, the price you paid is a very good one. It looks to be a solid and honest gun. Good screws. Not much color remaining. The barrel length is suspect and is likely cut. Your number is not in the book, but there are surviving records for a research letter. So that will confirm the barrel length for sure.
And the great bores would be reason to have wall thickness checked out to confirm no issues with shoot-ability.

[Donald Weber]

Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement. I joined the PGCA immediately and for now, with a budget that keeps "gun money" separate from house money, it'll have to stay the way it is. I agree with Mr. Campbell that this is an "honest"gun and therefore should stay that way. I'm not one to trample on years of careful use. I do have one small issue that perhaps someone can help with. The only flaw is a broken forend latch spring, which I have removed, but can find no one on the web with parts. This is a very simple repair. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Originally Posted by Donald Weber

The only flaw is a broken forend latch spring, which I have removed, but can find no one on the web with parts. This is a very simple repair. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Donald,

Thank you for joining the PGCA!!!

If you need a part for a Parker please start a thread in the PGCA Member's Only section in the Wanted to Buy forum.

List the following in the post:
A. Part needed (name)
B. Part number (see below)
C. Serial number of the Parker (part designs changed throughout the years of production)
D. Frame size (not needed for the spring in question but...)

Also, on the PGCA main webpage there is a menu on the left side of the page.
1. Scroll down and click on "Technical Information". The following will open:
http://parkerguns.org/images/parts.jpg
http://parkerguns.org/images/tech_2.jpg

Below the diagrams you will see a parts list:
1) Right-hand hammer
2) Left-hand hammer
3) Hammer stirrup
4) Main spring
5) Main spring plunger
6) Sear
7) Sear spring
8) Right-hand trigger
9) Left-hand trigger
10) Trigger spring
11) Top lever
12) Extractor
13) Cocking slide
14) Bolt lever, with roll
15) Square top bolt
16) Round top bolt
17) Roll
18) Roll pin
19) Top lever spring
20) Trip, spring and pin
21) Unhooking slide
22) Cocking crank
23) Cocking hook
24) Cocking hook pin and spring
25) Cocking hook screw
26) Safety pin
27) Unhooking pin and spring
28) Safety lever and jacket
29) Safety slide
30) Safety slide spring
31) Sear Pin
32) Bushing for tang screw
33) Fore end lock, complete
34) Fore end lever
35) Fore end tumbler
36) Fore end lever spring
37) Guard bow
38) Trigger plate
39) Fore end iron

List the part number from the above list. It appears that you need part # 36.

Please use the Wanted To Buy forum since WTB is a member's privilege.

Mark

[Kensal Rise]

Originally Posted by Donald Weber

The only flaw is a broken forend latch spring, which I have removed, but can find no one on the web with parts. This is a very simple repair. Any help is greatly appreciated.

This is a small flat spring, which leaves you two routes to go. The first is to have it micro-welded back together. This can be done easily and cheaply by a pro. The second is to check with one of our good members, Eric Eis. He often has a supply of Parker parts for sale, and may just have the spring you need.

[Donald Weber]

Thank you BTF and Kensal, for the info. I have posted a WTB.

[Brush Buster]

Donald ,I have had a Gentleman by the name of Lou Rotelli make me different small springs in the past ,he is reasonably quick and priced right and always a pleasure to discuss Parker Guns with ! If you can't come up with the original spring ,you might want to give him a try ! Please feel free to say that I mentioned him ! His contact # is " 203 -788-4920 " , good luck in your search ! By the way ,you found yourself a very nice solid gun for your first Parker ,Congrats ! Best ; Russ

[B. Dudley]

If you need a forend latch spring, contact me. I have some. Along just about any part you may need.