should I shoot my old Parker or hang it up

[Chris T.]

Hi John, I would have the barrels checked out and use it! It's valuable, but too valuable to use, more of a chrime to let it sit on the mantle if you ask me. It's difficult to tell from the picutres but does it have an english/straight grip stock? A desirable feature if it does.

[John Yancey]

yes the stock is straight not the pistol grip stock.

[John Yancey]

I am located in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

John

[Richard Flanders]

A straight-gripped #1-frame grade 3 12ga? Oh my! What a great gun to inherit. If it's safe to shoot I'd clean it up inside and and and shoot it a LOT.

[Kensal Rise]

Ahem.
Before shooting this gun, it would be eminently wise to have it closely checked by an experienced double gunsmith. Barrel condition is one thing. Stock cracks, splits, fouling and other problems are another issue.

I've seen some VERY dirty Parkers in my time.

Brad Bachelder would be the guy I'd send it to for inspection and a professional strip-and-clean.

And… if this gun happens to be connected to the Eli Lilly family, keeping it in one piece might be a wise course of action.

Almost forgot. A gun like this requires that you become a member of the PGCA. It's the law...

[Bruce Day]

Originally Posted by John Campbell

Ahem.
Before shooting this gun, it would be eminently wise to have it closely checked by an experienced double gunsmith. Barrel condition is one thing. Stock cracks, splits, fouling and other problems.......

See why didn't I think of that? Here I am with a bunch of Parkers that I have shot for many years with some up to book max loads and with both fluid steel and Damascus barrels and I have never sent a gun off to one of these gunsmiths to have it checked out. If they looked good to me I loaded it up and blasted away.

[Kensal Rise]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

... I have never sent a gun off to one of these gunsmiths to have it checked out. If they looked good to me I loaded it up and blasted away.

I can add nothing to such sage wisdom.

Jus' blow out the spiders and blast away!

[John Yancey]

Originally Posted by John Campbell

Ahem.
Before shooting this gun, it would be eminently wise to have it closely checked by an experienced double gunsmith. Barrel condition is one thing. Stock cracks, splits, fouling and other problems are another issue.

I've seen some VERY dirty Parkers in my time.

Brad Bachelder would be the guy I'd send it to for inspection and a professional strip-and-clean.

And… if this gun happens to be connected to the Eli Lilly family, keeping it in one piece might be a wise course of action.

Almost forgot. A gun like this requires that you become a member of the PGCA. It's the law...

I am now a new PGCA member... in accordance with the "LAW". LOL

[Autumn Daze]

Congrats on a wonderful family gun. Welcome to the PGCA!

[Mills]

Originally Posted by John Yancey

I am now a new PGCA member... in accordance with the "LAW". LOL

Welcome John!