Parker Lifter 1351

[Dean Freeman]

I know half of you are down in Raleigh right now. God I wish I was retired. The rest of us sinners have to stay back and ensure your social security accounts don't go dry. As such I figured I'd post some broken gun porn for those of you who appreciate the damaged things. Be forewarned, this one hurts a bit to look at.

Just purchased this poor old parker from PGCA Member Scott Boal. Scott's personal page has photos of the gun before it was shipped to me. I've since broken the gun down into its parts to clean and take stock of which parts I've got to purchase for repairs. The pictures of the gun and all its particulars is in this album on my personal page...http://parkerguns.org/forums/album.php?albumid=547

Give it a look, there are certainly some interesting historical data points related to this early hammer gun. It may interest some of the more educated of you out there. I'd love to hear any feedback you guys have.

My plan right now is to get the gun mechanically sound with as close to correct parts as I can. Then I will attempt a new stock with checkering to be done by a pro (Hello Brian Dudley). Then, once I give up on the stock, i'll probably have a pro do that too. Then the big decision, whether or not to have the metal case hardened. All in good time I suppose; no need getting the shell in front of the bore.

Thoughts?

[charlie cleveland]

sounds like a good project you have going there good luck with it...charlie

[B. Dudley]

That upper tang extention will be easily removable. you can clearly see the outline of the original tang. Heck, the engraving is still all there. You just need to take off the piece and the end and clean up the edge with some file work.

I would not do any case color work on this gun. It shoud be the last thing to be considered. It has nice patina and would present nicely cleaned up.

[Dean Freeman]

Thanks Brian,
The upper tang was drilled and the material from the extension filled into the tang, then polished in two spots (you can seen them if you look closely in one of the pics). It's amazing to see the work that was done on the "repairs" to this gun. How they did the work on the tang extension without removing the engraving is hard to figure. The trigger-plate work is similar but less baffling. Still the work is very precise. The repairs, while not perfect, are not the run of the mill home repair; especially considering the damage that had been done. Whomever did this repair work knew their way around a metal shop. Funny how it used to be requisite knowledge to understand and know how to fix things.

[Mills]

I like the engraving on this Parker and agree, the metal has a nice patina as is. It obviously needs work and some new parts, but should look great once the project is complete. Keep us posted.

[Dean Freeman]

Mills, Wait till you see the pics i'm posting of the stock. I cleaned it up and was amazed.

[Mills]

Can't wait to see. If you can repair that one, maybe my E grade lifter has hope.

[Dean Freeman]

Here are the pics of this profoundly unfortunate Buttstock. It is heartbreaking to see what this beauty once was. To replace this with a similar blank would certainly cost a small fortune. Perhaps I could make a nice lamp base or cheese server with this one.
I took some steel wool and oil-soap to this and just gave it a quick clean. Years of filth came off. I then just added some Tung oil to get some idea of what she used to look like. What a shame!

Before




After






Some other views

[Pa SxS]

I wouldn't be too quick on having a new stock made. I'd ship the broken stock to a highly qualified stock repairman and get their opinion.

[B. Dudley]

That would make a nice back half for a butt transplant. Don't throw it away.

Or,
Depending on if the head it all there, it could be repaired. Best thing you have going for it is that the damage is in the checkering pattern. That helps a LOT.