New Parker... New Member

Jason Dapra · 01-02-2020, 09:49 PM

Folks, I’ve been lurking on here for a long time, waiting to get my first Parker. I recently took delivery of a 20 gauge Trojan. The gun had been restored, so I guess that hurt it’s value, but I’m not a collector and will use it in field... it has been restocked with modern dimensions- fits like a glove.
I’ve included a few pictures... There is one thing I noticed- although it closes tight, the opening lever is off to the left a bit and there is a bit of play in the lever (not face). Is this an issue?
Happy New Year!

todd allen · 01-02-2020, 09:59 PM

Looks like a sweet upland gun. Not sure on the question on the tang. If you could take a good picture of the issue, we could maybe figure it out.

Jason Dapra · 01-02-2020, 10:15 PM

Thanks Todd... I actually meant the opening lever was slightly to left... everything I’ve read says it should be to right.

todd allen · 01-02-2020, 10:41 PM

As long as the gun locks up tight, the top lever being a little to the left is not a big deal.

Bill Murphy · 01-03-2020, 09:12 AM

Very few guns with the 1910 combination bolt plate have lever position problems. Your situation was probably caused by warpage during the case hardening. No problem if your gun is tight when closed.

GH-16 · 01-03-2020, 10:46 AM

Congrat's on the new to you Trojan! The gun looks like it had a nice restoration performed on it.

I wouldn't worry about the top lever if everything locks up tight & functions properly. I also wouldn't worry about the restoration devaluing the gun being as someone else spent the time & money to do the restoration. I don't know what you paid for the gun but I can tell you a ballpark for what the restoration alone would cost. I'm guessing that in current times the restoration would be somewhere between $2500.00 & $4000.00 being as it was a complete restock & would have taken 1 1/2 to 3 years to get it done.

The best part is you now have a nice gun that fits you and should give many years of great service. What's not to like about that?

Richard Flanders · 01-03-2020, 11:36 AM

This seems an unusually nice restoration job. The receiver and the barrel bluing look very nice and the stock fit seems excellent as far as we can see here. Nothing to be embarrassed with this gun! Whatever is causing the lever to be to the left a bit can be fixed if desired. Might just be bolt wear, but that's not enough to the left to be an issue.

B. Dudley · 01-03-2020, 12:42 PM

That is a nice gun for your first and it should serve you well. The case colors are excellent. They look completely original. My guess is that Turnbull likely colored it when it was restored. Whoever stocked it took some liberties in the form of the stock and gussied it up some over the original style, but that was their prerogative I guess. It is an attractive shooter.

Matt Buckley · 01-03-2020, 01:55 PM

Congrats on the new Parker. Nothing wrong with a restored Parker, I own one my self and probably paid half of what it would have costed to have the actual restoration work done. Now you should do yourself a new years favor and buy yourself a membership to this great group and order yourself a letter on your new Trojan and find out the history on it. The history of these guns really fascinates me.

Mike Franzen · 01-03-2020, 03:39 PM

Jason that gun needs no apology. Whoever did the work did a great job. You should become a member and enjoy the benefits. We are going to be at the Southern Side x Side in April. If you haven’t been you should consider it. Bring your Trojan and shoot some clays. Can you post a few more pictures? I would enjoy seeing more of that gun.