Is my stock factory?

[Ray Masciarella]

I have a rather standard B4 C grade in pretty good shape. Ordered a letter and it came back as expected, ie w/o ejectors built in 1900. It now has ejectors. I'm pretty sure they were added by the factory cause the stock, which I assume was also replaced since ejectors required at least a different forend, has the serial number stamped in the stock and forend.

The butt stock has a spacer and Hawkins pad. I'm trying to figure out if they were installed by the factory. The pull is short at 13.5". Trying to figure out whether that's factory length too. Installation of pad done very well. Like you would expect for factory job although any good gunsmith could do the same.

The letter doesn't mention the ejectors or new stock. Why? Is there any other place I can go for this info? Is there any way I can tell by examination whether the pad and pull length is factory? Something I could look for?

Thanks, Ray

[Double Play]

Hi Ray,
I may be wrong but I don't believe the forend would need to be replaced to accommodate the addition of ejectors. You might want to look under the trigger guard to see if the wood is stamped with the guns serial number. As for the original LOP this info is usually available in a PGCA letter especially on older guns like yours. Could you post a few pics of your B4?

[Old and Reliable]

Good post there Ray- First ?- does your C Grade have the later 12.5% tool steel plate pinned into the lower barrel lug, or is your gun the earlier series w/o this adjustment feature? I have a 1900 era GHE (sorta) now with Brad B.- the gun was possibly converted from extractor to ejector by a non-factory gunsmith- a Christian Fischer who developed and patented his own after market ejector systems for many extractor guns of that era. Mine was possibly a GH with Damascus barrels, 12 ga No. 2 frame- I bought it 'in pieces" for a project gun- use it for pheasants and SC's--I bought the complete receiver and the matched forearm iron and wood (wood may be from a DH) Brad found a set of No. 2 frame 28" VHE barrels with open chokes- and later a PG buttstock from either a PH or GH-

Did Parker keep records of customer guns sent back for conversions to: ejectors from extractors, double triggers to SST, and later in the 1920's, guns send back for ventilated ribs- also any gun sent back for extra barrels fitted?

I don't have any Parker Paper- but have the work card and tag from the older 12 2E Smith- sent back to Fulton in 1927 for a set of 32" Nitro barrels Full choked and with the factory (Gifford Simmons design) raised ventilated rib- the only one of my current collection of 12 side-by-sides with that feature- and a recent acquistion of a 12 Ideal Grade Smith- with the dated Hang Tag showing it left the Factory in Feb 1945-- but the yellow tag is the 1930's style, according to Houchin's book-

So much history, so many "little twists of fate" that make being a sleuth for details on our beloved double guns such a mystery!!

[Ray Masciarella]

No steel plate. If I'm correct that forend had to be replaced when ejectors added (and Larry calls that into question and I'm not really sure), then I think mine are probably factory since the stocks are marked with the serial number. I can't answer your other questions but one would think the factory keep some type of records always. I have several letters that indicate later work perform by factory on guns I own. records may not be complete and that is why my letter for this gun doesn't mention ejectors or later stock. Ray

[Dean Romig]

Mark Conrad is the person who can tell you why a letter sometimes does not address alterations that we know must have been done by Parker Bros.

[Blind Dog]

Ray, Any Remington repair codes stamped on the watertable?