Parker 28 gauge photos - original (I believe)

[Craig Larter]

Wayne: Very nice family gun and a 28ga WOW! It appears to be a well used example in mostly original condition. The butt stock appears to have been cleaned with finish added (maybe when the crack was repaired). The reason I say that is the butt stock is light in color and the checkering has been filled with finish. If you look at the checkering and finish on the forend that appears original. A few of the screw heads are out of time and the slots damaged (this indicates the gun has been taken apart by a unqualified person). The action was never blued it was case colored. Look at the action in a protected area and you should be able to see some of the original case color (blue and straw colored), the action as new had the same finish. I agree with others on proceeding with caution with respect to restoration. If it was my gun I would have a Parker craftsman refinish the butt stock and re-cut the checkering. I would also have the screw slots repaired and the screws re-timed. Then just shoot it and passit on to a family member. It should be good to go for another 100 years.

[Wayne Dow]

Thank you for your observations and recommendations, CL. I've always wondered why the checkering and color were different on the butt stock and forend. I've had the gun since 1966 and it's never been touched during my time except to repair slight cracks in the stock and endplate. After my great-grandfather died in 1947, the gun sat unused in an attic, so he must have had reason to re-finish it during his lifetime. Maybe the split in the stock had something to do with it. Anyhow, thanks for partially clearing up a mystery! I'm glad the forend finish is original as it shows me what the butt stock once looked like.