Questions on Remington Parker

[Phil C]

The other day I stopped at a small gun shop about 90 miles from me while out quail hunting. I had no business stopping since I am trying to thin the herd not add any. That said the draw of some of these small gun shops draw me in. I looked at a Remington Parker VHE that was in 90%+ condition, case color and bluing. S/N 2411373. It had nicer wood than I have seen on a VHE but definitely looked original in all aspects. The one thing that was a concern was it had a very vintage looking pad, but it was a Whiteline. Is it possible the pad could be original? LOP was about 13 7/8" with the pad. Do the records show what recoil pads were installed during this era? Is there any difference in value between a Parker Bros and a Remington Parker?

[David Noble]

WOW! That's a high serial number. Please recheck that.
If the number is actually 241373, then the book lists it as a VHE 20ga with 28" barrels and capped pistol grip. 1938 production. I doubt there will be any specific information about the butt treatment in the records. I might be wrong but I don't think there white line pads in the late thirties.
Ilion made Remington era guns are scarce compared to Parker Bros Meriden made guns. Meriden made guns, including the Remington era, numbered 241 thou +, while Ilion made guns totaled under 1400.
Remington era guns are often found in nice condition but a 90% gun is quite rare indeed!
That would be a hard one to pass on if the price is not stupid high.
Let us know the particulars of the gun.

[Phil C]

Yes you are correct I typed in one too many 1's. Gun is as you described. S/n is 241373. I will see about posting pictures tomorrow. This is actually the first Remington Parker I have ever seen in person.

[Holeshot]

Here is a 236xxx vhe. That is a factory pad with a spacer added. I am not sure of condition percentage, but a nice gun and fun to shoot.

[Dean Romig]

VH guns of Remington manufacture typically had nicer wood than their Meriden counterparts.

Someone else may speak to the White Line pad but I believe they started in the 1930's.

[Fishtail]

Every time I stop in a small gun shop and mention the word Parker, all I get is glazed over eyes and a 'you got to be kidding' response. There are days I think I should just focus on assault rifles and 9mm pistols.

[Bruce Day]

Phil, the white line recoil pads may be original on very late Remington Parkers. There are no factory records proving that, but none disproving either, and white line pads were popular and contemporary to the gun. Some are of the age that they could be original.

Many people, including myself, think highly of Remington Parkers. I make no generalizations and prefer to let each gun stand on its own. A late small bore Remington Parker is scarce and can be a desirable gun. A two barreled A-1S set in 28ga is owned by a major collector friend and is extremely fine.

TPS has an entire chapter on Remington Parkers, I recommend that.

[Phil C]

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I will take another look at the gun. I read all I could find on line, as well as I read the section in the TPS late last night. I guess I have a few guns I can part with to own this one. What are these guns bringing? The last few Parker's I sold did not sell for near what I thought they would.

[Bruce Day]

Not in hand and going only on the representation that it is a 90% gun ( condition is commonly overstated) , the 2013 Blue Book shows $7,500 plus 25% for ejectors equals $9,375 full retail value.

[Dean Romig]

A huge 'if' in the equation of value is if the gun is in 90% original condition, not 90% refinished condition.