Parker Remington wood finishing- forends

[jay shachter]

Hello Knowledgable Brethren,

I am examing what appears to be an untouched, original Parker GHE from the 1936 era Remington factory. The metal looks distinctly original and is in high condition. I am comfortable with my analysis of that. The wood is fantastic Remington wood and I am fairly certain was factory original to the gun. The lingering question is that though the gun is in 98% condition and there is no signs of a refinish on the wood, the underside of the forearm is fully finished to a quality of the outside.

My experience with Remington guns is limited, but my observations has been that the factory did not fully finish the underside of the forearm wood. In most every photo I have in my files of clearly original Parkers, the underside of the forend wood is still roughly finished and NOT finished. All that I have photos on are pre-Remington, hence the confused state.

Can anyone render a sound answer or opinion for me? If the underside of the forend stock is finished. does that necessarily indicate that someone has refinished the wood? This gun has several custom ordered features and was back to the factory in 1941 where it may have been re-wooded. Is it possible that later Remington guns were finished on the underside???

Let me know what you all have experienced. I am making a buying decision based on what I find out. It is an extraordinary gun and I want it, but if original and untouched it is more costly and valuable. If the wood has been redone, less so!

Thanks,

Jay Shachter, President
Vintage Firearms, Inc.
616 292 6240