Grandfather's Parker. Any info/help would be appreciated. Photos!

[Dane Atkinson]

Hi everyone,

One of my grandfathers passed away last year and I received his Parker SXS. It has sat in a gun cabinet until recently when I purchased a CZ Ringneck SXS to get into shooting a SXS for skeet, 5 stand, pheasants and grouse and became more interested in the Parker. I don't know much about the gun or its value but I have seen similar ones going for 5,000 at auctions. I do not plan on selling it and would like to shoot it eventually. Most of the screws are ruined, and also the buttpad screws are missing. I have found replacement screws online and was wondering what anyone thinks about having the stock refinished, rebrown the barrels, etc... and if it is worth it. Here is some info on it:

Serial # 111805
Year = 1902
Frame Size = 2 (12 Gauge)
Grade = DH Grade 3? (It has a D and a 3 above the D on the water table.)
* I also read that this is the Lowest Grade of Custom
It is Hammerless double trigger with Damascus barrels

This gun has been worked on or at least tampered with and by looking at it I would give it a C or poor condition. But maybe you guys can give me your opinion. The safety is very stiff to push forward and it does shoot. (did not shoot any rounds through it, just pulled triggers) Here are the pictures. Thanks!

[Kensal Rise]

Looks like a darn nice D grade trap gun to me. And WELL worth preserving! NOT "restoring." The screws aren't too bad. They can be saved. The wood is fine and needs very little. A new Silver's pad would be right. The shield on the toe line is fascinating. Is it engraved? There could be heritage there.
If the barrels are in good shape, and they appear to be, this gun can still be shot with loads in the 1100 fps range or less.
You have a treasure here. And doubly so because it is a family treasure!
The key is to clean her up. Not "tart her up". Start with a professional strip-and-clean.

Best, Kensal

[George M. Purtill Member #28]

That is a great gun. Get a letter on it. do nothing except to replace the pad.
The safety may ease up after some use. if not, have it professionally cleaned.
PROFESSIONALLY cleaned.

[Dane Atkinson]

Originally Posted by John Campbell

A new Silver's pad would be right. The shield on the toe line is fascinating. Is it engraved? There could be heritage there., Kensal

Do you know where and if so, what exact "Silver's pad" I need? The shield is not engraved.

[Dane Atkinson]

Originally Posted by George M. Purtill

That is a great gun. Get a letter on it. do nothing except to replace the pad.
The safety may ease up after some use. if not, have it professionally cleaned.
PROFESSIONALLY cleaned.

George,

What will a letter do for me? Thanks.

[George M. Purtill Member #28]

It would give you original production information as well as indicators what is original and not.
It may give you provenance, etc. It is very valuable.

[StubTwist]

Nice gun. Leave as is.... A good gunsmith can repair those buggered screws. Do I see a Monte Carlo stock on this D grade?

[Kensal Rise]

Dane:
A good 'smith can put a new Silver's pad on it. They are available from Galazan or Silver's in the UK. Don't attempt it yourself. And please don't send that gun to the local "gunsmith." It rates DelGrego, Bachelder, G&H, etc. My choice would be DelGrego. No slight to the others.

[Richard Flanders]

What's that hole along the rib in one picture? Does that just go through between the barrel and rib? It almost looks like a hole in the barrel.

[Dane Atkinson]

Originally Posted by Richard Flanders

What's that hole along the rib in one picture? Does that just go through between the barrel and rib? It almost looks like a hole in the barrel.

It is just a ding/dent like it had been dropped or slid and hit a sharp corner of something.