Reproduction forend tragedy, please help me!

[James Clarke]

Hello all unfortunately I endured a small tragedy while out on the creek trying to enjoy some hunting for my veterans days. My 12ga Parker repro dhe splinter forend came unlatched after firing at a wood duck and fell into the deep tidal creek below unable to be retrieved (at least I got the bird).

I sat and wept for a minute from the loss of my forend and carried on.

I am posting to ask for advice and suggestions on what to do next I am a financially restricted young Marine with a second baby on the way who only has Parker shotguns thanks to my generous father but I’d like to know what options yall will suggest for the situation moving forward. Can I simply find a replacement forend? Have one made by a gunsmith? If so does anyone have suggestions? Any idea for cost on this? I’m open to any and every suggestion please PM me or reply with anything you can think of, every suggestion helps thank you.

[Andy]

I'm surprised there are no answers yet. Good luck!

[Wild Skies]

That's some very unfortunate news for you James. It's going to be a tough road to hoe to find a replacement. Yes, new wood could be made at a cost of several hundred dollars, however; the forend iron will be the tough part to source.

Here's an alternative suggestion: Assuming you know the general location of where you lost it, I would contact a local scuba diver to find it for you. A scenario similar to yours a local diver here in Wisconsin was recently hired to find a lost $4000 prop for an individual's sailboat which was found and retrieved by "Ed the Diver". Google him or here's a link to a facebook account of the incident: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2661712720849065

[Woodcock survey]

Around here i see a lot of people ''magnet fishing''. The magnets are very strong and should grab on to the metal. Only trouble being how much floatation did the wood provide and the vagaries of current. A small boat and a grid drag, especially in any deep spots may work.

[Andy]

You may be able to find someone with a good under water drone, again at a cost

[Bill Murphy]

Go to the basic training company and advertise a $200 reward to anyone who can retrieve the forend. Of course cold weather in Jacksonville is right around the corner.

[B. Dudley]

It would honestly be easier to find your forend than find a replacement. In my opinion.

[Bob Jurewicz]

Very recently, I watched a very nice 12 gauge Parker reproduction sell on gun broker for 2995. It had been on the site for a minimum of a month without sale.
Purchasing a complete gun could be an option and using it as a parts gun selling off what you don’t want
Bob Jurewicz

[James Clarke]

Thank you all for the PM’s and suggestions regarding this matter a fellow Marine I know has a magnet for retrieving things that I am going to attempt to retrieve the forend with.

At this point by the time I can make it out to the creek the forend will have been completely submerged in brackish water for around 48 hours so restoration will be needed I assume.

If I can manage to find it or if it’s a total loss I will keep you all updated.

[Jim DiSpagno]

It won't start to corrode until it hits the air. I suggest keeping it submerged in water until you get it home and take it apart. Dry the wood and soak all metal parts in Callisto or the likes. Send the wood to be professionally refinished.