The Parker Reproduction Closeout

[Wild Skies]

While snooping around on another site I came upon some info that may be of interest to some here. According to The Parker Story, Parker Reproductions were first introduced at the annual Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) show in 1984 with a display of twenty guns. At the time, the gun was only available in grade DHE, 20-gauge w/26" bbls. choked IC/M. It was soon followed with the same gun, but with 28" bbls. bored M/F. Retail sales were done through a network of established dealers.

In 1986 a 28-gauge was introduced in both 26" & 28" bbl. lengths. The 26" bbls. were choked IC/M and a new barrel choke designation of Q1/Q2 (later changed to SK1/SK2) were an added option on all gauges. The 28" bbls. were choked M/F.

In 1988 a 12-gauge DHE model on a 1 1/2-frame was offered in 26", 28" & 30" lengths. Also in 1988, the A-1 Special and BHE grade guns were added. The A-1 Special and BHE were available in 12-, 20- and 28-gauges initially, but .410 bore on a 00 or 0000-frame was offered later. Also in 1988 we saw the introduction of a 12-ga. double especially for sporting clays and furnished with six screw-in choke tubes in an edition of only 125 guns. It was named the Sporting Clays Classic and advertised as being a very adaptable gun for hunting as well as sporting clays.

In late 1988 Winchester lost its arrangement with the factory producing the Parker Reproduction. According to TPS, the owners decided it would profit them more to tear the facility down and construct a golf driving range on the land. Even though the factory closed, a good supply of unsold Parker Reproduction guns and parts remained and it was announced that the business would continue as usual. This went on for a few years. To help boost sales in 1994 a DHE grade 2-bbl. set with both 16 and 20-ga. barrels was offered, but in late 1994 sales of Parker Reproductions had slowed to the point it was no longer profitable to continue marketing them. It was early 1995 that it was decided to closeout the remaining supply of Parker Reproductions and to discontinue the gun business.

The remaining inventory was sold to a group of three gun dealers -- Cape Outfitters, Jaqua's and Guns Unlimited. These dealers offered the Parker Reproductions at closeout prices. Their advertisement is shown below along with what I believe an unnumbered inventory of the various configurations to be closed out.