Doozy of a query!
Greetings from the great state of Maine!
I have secretly been enjoying the website as well as the forums for a little while now. I feel I have finally finished my research and come to the point where I can ask educated questions. First; a bit of background information:
I came into possession of a Parker while I was cleaning out the basement for my Father-in-law. He had a stroke earlier this year, and is currently unable to care for his home and firearms. I was clearing off shelves that were packed with forty years of dust and odds and ends when I came across the gun. I knew that the gun was precious simply due to its obvious quality and the weight of the gun (both of my parents are hunters and trappers so I know what a “normal” side-by-side feels like). I was given the gun as payment for my work, this was a couple weeks ago.
The gun is heavily rusted, though the triggers pull and the hammers will engage. That is the extent of the guns moveable parts at this point. It appears to be frozen with rust as it is unable to break open. Looking at the gun though I notice no serious blemishes; some normal wear on the stock, and a small chip in the wood nearest the breech. The rust is evident. The markings are discernable though, and here is what I have been able to read on the exterior alone: The barrel is a plain twist. The serial number on the trigger guard is of question unfortunately (rust loved this gun). It either reads: 86961 or: 19698. First; I am not completely convinced the number one is actually there or if it is a rusted scratch (the more I look at it the more it looks indeed like the number one and thus belongs there). Second; I am not completely sure if I’ve read the numbers correctly due to the fact that they can be read both upside and down. If you position the gun so that the barrel is to your left it reads: (1)9698. With this number, 1880 would be the manufacture date. Which makes sense since it is marked with a patent date of 1878. Again; it will not break due to the rust. So I am unable to discern the grade.
This leads me to my queries. I am familiar with cleaning guns and shotguns for normal use, but I am totally lost at this level of repair. My sincere preference is to make this Parker my winter “project.” It is full winter up here, and one of the ways we get by is to have a small project to occupy ourselves as the snow flies. I would love to do the work myself, eventually getting it to firing quality. I already have an excellent Remington that I use for my hunting needs, but owning a Parker with the knowledge that it can fire would be excellent. I have no desire to sell it, only to get it looking better and hopefully firing quality.
I’m putting this out to all the wise-guys who are more experienced with Parkers. Any insight and wisdom you wish to impart would be greatly welcomed. Should I consult with a professional gunsmith? Is it important the gunsmith be educated on Parkers? I have been toying with the idea of sending it to a professional for reconditioning. The barrel’s measure 30 inches, what does this tell you? Can anyone discern the gauge? The choke measures 0.75 inches inside diameter using a digital caliper. Perhaps you folks have some idea’s or things I should know. Thank you so much for your knowledge and expertise!
sincerely, Sean
P.S. I'm currently taking pictures of the gun. They will be up shortly.
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12-09-2009, 05:15 PM
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