Repro. Question

[Steve Kleist]

As much as we all have our own preferences, I personally Prefer a Reproduction because of a few optional available features: namely screw in chokes, 3 inch chambers, a barrel strength that will allow steel shot.
Yes, all good guns are "spendy" but I have yet to buy a gun I could afford and I refuse to own a gun I cannot shoot.
IMHO,
Steve Kleist Ely, MN

[Richard Skeuse]

I know a few guns were made without the made in Japan stamping but I do not know how many. Thanks

[Twice Shooter]

Mr. Skeuse, Could you please clear up the confusion on the SSS barrels? Are all the barrels bored to .734 (by my gauge) and choked .007 and .012 with 2 3/4 and 3" chambers Steel Shot Special barrels? Thank you, Tom

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Steve, the buyer is in charge in any transaction. The better ones sell for more money. Repros are not too spendy once they have a little finish knocked off. Those are the ones to look for.

In the Gun World, finding a nice, but beat up gun, is my favorite thing to do. Depending, sometimes I leave them 'as is' but it isn't too difficult to gussy them up and bring them back to "minty". Then you pay a little and get a lot. Yes, if one takes the gun to one of the smiths who give them a make over, it is expensive. I usually pay one of those craftsmen more money than I paid for the gun. That's why sometimes I leave them as they are when I buy one.

Being retired, I'm forced by income issues to leave lots of guns on the sales rack. I've passed up a few, but I have about a dozen nice old shotguns and I enjoy them. I'm not sure that I would enjoy the ones I have more by adding to the group, but I'll never get rid of any of them. We are married, those guns and I, and yes, my wife is jealous.

[Richard Skeuse]

Hi Guys I thought I replied but I dod't see it. There were a few earlie guns that were not stamped. I don't know how many but there are some out there Thanks

[Chuck Heald]

A little late, but here's some pix of my 28g 28" straight grip, SST, S/N 00-117x.

The "Made In Japan" mark is on the right side just above the forend wood. If it were a beavertail FE, it might be covered.




The left side carries the maker name.



The top rib is unmarked.

[Bill Murphy]

28" straight grip? What does the back end look like? Can you post a picture?

[billie bryant]

Originally Posted by Russ Jackson

Over the years ,I have honestly handled very few of the Parker Repros .I couldn't afford one when they were first available so I didn't follow them ! I am wondering what the difference is on the markings ,99 percent that I have seen are marked ,I believe ,This is probably not worded exact but this is the general idea , Manufactured by Winchester " Made In Japan " which I know they were ,but on occasion you do not see the " Made In Japan " stamping ,I recall seeing two of these unmarked guns " were these guns made else where or by a different manufacturer ,or were some made with this stamping deleted ? A friend and I were discussing this yesterday and I really have no idea of the answer ! Any reasoning on this will be appreciated ! Thanks to All ! Russ

russ , they were all made in kon.plant & some at first & at end made it out without stamp, but they are sweet guns! have a great time! billie

[billie bryant]

Originally Posted by Richard Skeuse

I think the unstruck guns you see were early numbered guns. It was a long time since they were madeand memories fade. Hope this helps

hi richard i believe you are correct as your dad once told me that some early guns missed? granddad says hello! billie

[Gordon Green]

Richard, I also have a NSFL 28 ga 2 barrel set. Below is information I found out in 2006 about the NSFL. This may be more than you ever wanted to know, but here goes.
From 2006
"Your Parker repro is one of 100 guns from The National Sporting Fraternity. I have been a member of this organization for over 20 years. It was started by Jim Rikhoff of New Jersey. He worked for Winchester and Winchester press. The goal of the NSFL is to bring back sporting literature remenisint of the days of Derrydale Press. These guns were the first two bbl sets as I recall produced for the Repo Parker. As memory serves (not something to rely on ) the second set of bbls were made by Krieghoff. These guns were used as a fundraiser for NSFL.
You might be able to gain more information by contacting the NSFL through Amwell Press in Clinton, New Jersey."

From 2006. I then talked to Jim Rikhoff and below is what I found out.

"I talked to Jim Rikhoff today and was given the following information about these Parker Repro’s with the NSFL markings.
He did work for Olin-Winchester for 16 years in the 60’s and early 70’s and at the time these guns were being developed he was friend of the Skeuse family. The NSFL was given the rights to 100 each of the 20 and 28 ga. guns to offer to their members. They were offered by subscription and all 100 of each gauge were sold. They were only offered as 2 barrel sets and were to have upgraded wood. There were no unusual options available and they were only offered in DHE grade.
Mr. Rikhoff was not aware of any special serial numbers being issued, nor does he recall that they were to be given the first 100 of each. However they were offered to the members in early 1984 and since the only serial numbers that I have heard of were below 100 and appear to be in the normal numbering sequence, with no special markings, it seems possible that these are the first 100 of each guage..
If anyone comes up with any additional information on these guns I would be interested in knowing about it."

Gordon