Case colors for the Trojan

[Marty K.]

Better is in the eyes of the beholder.....But most would leave that one alone for sure.............

[Double Lab]

Allen;
Ditto on what Dave said. To me and others, that gun is worth more in it's present condition than if you had it "restored". JMHO.

George:
As my legal mouthpiece you have said exactly how I feel.

[Dean Romig]

Re-case-coloring that pretty gun, in my humble opinion, would devalue it significantly.

I wouldn't do it if it were my gun... unfortunately, it isn't.






.

[B. Dudley]

Allen,
My answer here is still NO.

[BRDHNTR]

Dean and Edgar, I will pm you details on this gun which is currently being restocked to my specs by Brad. Although Lawyer Henry F. Tenney had the original stock cut very short for his wife, and with too much drop for me and no cast and being a Parker that I have no intention of ever selling as it will go to one grandson, the oldest of two, upon my demise. I am keeping the original stock and forend however.

[J.B. Books]

I think restored guns look better if everything but the frame is redone, patina always looks more righteous than a recase. If the receiver was previously polished then you don't have much choice. Why not redo the whole gun the way you like and see how it looks with the original frame. If you don't like it then do it.

[BRDHNTR]

he barrels need to be touched up as well. A Frontier Pad with some Rem Oil would clean much of those barrels up and give you a better idea of the real finish remaining underneath. You'd be surprised.

[B. Dudley]

David,
Thank you for posting a picture of the 20g that you posted about. It helps us in accurately commenting on your gun instead of just speculating.

The condition of your gun is what some would call a "rough weather hunter". One you can take out and get good service out of and not worry about getting it messed up.

Case coloring this gun is the LAST concern you should have. Other matters like barrel blue and wood condition always trump frame condition in my book when it comes to what should and shouldnt be restored in a priority list standpoint.

The only way this gun should be considered being re-colored is if a FULL restorstion was being done. And even then, the amount of surface prep to the frame would be great because of the damage already caused by active rust.

Shoot it and enjoy.

[David Penland]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

David,
Thank you for posting a picture of the 20g that you posted about. It helps us in accurately commenting on your gun instead of just speculating.

The condition of your gun is what some would call a "rough weather hunter". One you can take out and get good service out of and not worry about getting it messed up.

Case coloring this gun is the LAST concern you should have. Other matters like barrel blue and wood condition always trump frame condition in my book when it comes to what should and shouldnt be restored in a priority list standpoint.

The only way this gun should be considered being re-colored is if a FULL restorstion was being done. And even then, the amount of surface prep to the frame would be great because of the damage already caused by active rust.

Shoot it and enjoy.

Thank you for your assessment Brian. I agree and have already started working on the barrels and the wood. I picked up the gun from a nice lady who said her dad purchased the gun. I plan on posting pictures when I finish. If I were a financially independent fellow I would own many high grade Parkers and Smiths. As is I will continue to search for the diamonds in the rough and enjoy them for what they are, awesome examples of American art and quality craftsmanship.

[Bill Murphy]

In past years, I have "Hunted" such guns as the pictured Trojan back to reasonable condition. At 70 1/2, I am beyond that, but Brian's advice to attack the receiver after everything else is done, is good advice.