Repairing Parker checkering borders

[B. Dudley]

This is something that I posted on my website some time back, but did not share it here. I figured that some might like to see what can be done with a spoiled checkering job.

This DH had its checkering recut at some time by an inexperience hand. The checkering itself was not all that bad, however it was fully pointed and too coarse for a D grade Parker. Where it all had fallen apart was the borders. The one side had a very poor single line border and the other had no border, but was full of over runs.

Border Before 2.jpeg
Border before 1.jpeg

Even though all this looked like a bit of a mess, I was able to work with it. I converted the single line border to a proper Mullered border. And was able to put a Mullered border on the other panel while covering up the over runs.
I touched up what needed work in the checkering pattern, and then finally burnished everything down as to eliminate the sharp points.

Border After 1.jpeg
Border After 2.jpeg
Border After 3.jpeg

Granted the checkering is still a bit too course for the grade, but there is not much that can be done about that. And it is a bit deeper than what is typical. The finished result is a fine correction of a major issue that would not raise any major concerns to someone observing the gun.