Soon to be Parker owner needing help

[James Deemer]

I Hope to purchase my 1st Parker shotgun, but I need to know what configuration this gun left the factory. I want my 1st Parker to be all origional. This is what I've found;

The gun is a Parker 20ga DHE grade, straight english stock. The owner claims it's a "Skeet" gun. This gun bears the serial # of 203903

What should the barrel length be ? Did this come with the sttraight stock ? Is a "skeet" gun.

Any information will be greatly appriciated. Thank you.

[Dean Romig]

It can't have left Parker Bros as a "Skeet" gun as the game of skeet had not been 'invented' until about three years after your gun was made. Your serial number is about 1923 and skeet was 'invented/announced' in 1926.

[James Deemer]

Do you know anything about the stock or barrel lengths ?

[George Lander]

James: Dean is correct that your gun is not an original skeet Parker. According to "THE BOOK" your gun left the Parker factory as a V Grade ejector gun of 20 gauge with 30 inch barrels and a capped pistolgrip stock. Either "THE BOOK" is wrong or someone has modified the gun. If you order a research letter it will disclose the truth.

Best Regards, George

[Leighton Stallones]

Yep, just checked also and George is right.

[James Deemer]

If I do buy the gun I will with out a doupt order a letter, however I don't want to tie up a boat load of $$$ for a gun that is not what is's suppose to be.

I've always dreamed of owning a fine parker shotgun, I just want it to be the right one.

[Dean Romig]

Advice to people new to Parkers who wish to own one:

It is so easy to make a mistake and tie up a bunch of money in a gun that will never sell for what you paid.

Take several pictures of the gun you have in mind and post the pics here where you will get valuable advice from Parker owners and collectors who are 'in the know'.

Several PGCA Members sell guns as a business or as a sideline and in advising you about a gun we WILL NOT involve ourselves in trashing any gun for sale.

[James Deemer]

I'm not looking to sell once I purchase one I'll look forward to holding on to it. My grandfather once told me "no one really owns guns, the're just passed from one hand to the other "

[Dean Romig]

Somebody someday will want to recoup your investment so try to make a good one... for them if for no one else.

[George Lander]

James: Dean is right. Make sure that what you are buying is what it is supposed to be. Too many fine old Parkers (and other fine doubles) have been "upgraded" by someone, sometimes professionally and sometime amatuerishly, and somtimes being offered as "The Real Thing" You stated in your original post that this gun was a D Grade. How did you determine that ?
The grade of a Parker is stamped on the watertable, either as a letter or a number (sometimes as both). A D Grade is two grades up from a V Grade and worth considerably more to a Parker collector. Follow Dean's advice and post some clear pictures of the gun here: the watertable, the barrel flats and the top rib markings should tell the tale.

Best Regards, George

P.S. Your grandfather was right!