Parker Stock Comb Terminology -- Survey

[Rino Grassa]

My 1903 16ga VH Letters the stock as " 1/2 Pistol Grip

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Chuck -
I wish Parker Bros. And Remington had been more consistant in identifying the style of grip and comb.






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[mobirdhunter]

Thanks to all who have contributed information here! The original question was concerning the Parker comb variations. Dean W.'s comments echo my own regarding the terminology used...on the apparently rare instances where it is used.

I think the only way to get any sense of what kinds of combs Parker would produce is linked to those few instances where it's mentioned in the records. I don't see references in the catalogs.

Dean shared with me a case where a gun had a larger comb, but it was not mentioned in the research letter (and so, the records). The comb on his mid-1920s gun is exactly like my 1924 gun (for which no records exist). Others have noted mention in their letters, and as I noted earlier, I have one that is specified as having a "medium full" comb.

So, if there are letters out there with mention of the comb, please consider responding to this thread. Short of going through all of the records, I can't see a better way of getting at this question.

Thanks!!

[Pa SxS]

Dan, your grip type in the stock book is listed as a 1/2 pistol grip. I was wrong about the ball grips on .410. In the last stock book I found ball grips listed for all the gauges. I'm guessing the word ball is the same as a 1/2 pistol grip or what we also call a "round grip". I know this is all confusing, but just know that I put in the research letter exactly what the records show.

[Steiner]

Originally Posted by Chuck Bishop

Dan, your grip type in the stock book is listed as a 1/2 pistol grip. I was wrong about the ball grips on .410. In the last stock book I found ball grips listed for all the gauges. I'm guessing the word ball is the same as a 1/2 pistol grip or what we also call a "round grip". I know this is all confusing, but just know that I put in the research letter exactly what the records show.

Chuck, I found it interesting that the work order tag being used at that time only had 3 pre printed options. CPG, Straight and Ball. The more I learn, the less I know. It seems, like others have suggested, nothing is truly certain re: these lovely guns.

[Dean Romig]

It seems, after all the examples shown here and the opinions expressed, that the description of the type of pistol grip a gun was made with really didn't have an official name as would have been dictated by the front office but rather were described by the stockmaker or the person actually recording the gun's manufacturing specs...

Would it were that were otherwise.





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[Dean Romig]

And here’s even more to add to the confusion…

Parker No. 36488 is in my posession but there are some discrepancies in the records we have.

It is a (30”) Bernard-barreled Grade-4, making it a B4, not a D3 and it has a C (capped pistol grip) not a P as shown on both the Serialization book and in the data from which the research letters are derived.


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[mobirdhunter]

I do think, as I've already noted, that the comb style is dependent on the timeframe (and, obviously, the folks that worked during it).

It would still be nice for those that have letters to contribute to respond. We may be able to find consistencies/trends during certain time periods, just like we do with engraving.

[Reggie B]

This morning I reviewed about 30 research letters that I have. Only one referenced a “medium full comb”.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Reggie Bishop

This morning I reviewed about 30 research letters that I have. Only one referenced a “medium full comb”.

Thanks, Reggie!
Would that be a 1918 20 gauge CHE?