RE INDEXING SCREWS

[VH20]

Pat,

Which screws are you working with? There can be different markings. For the screws on the side of the receiver the most common thing I've seen is "-" on the left screws and nothing on the right ("left" meaning on the same side as the actual left barrel, and "right" meaning the same side as the actual right barrel, regardless of how the gun is oriented when working on it).

For the floorplate screws, I've seen different combiniations. Early guns have two short screws in the doll's head, and one longer screw at the rear (partially covered by the forward bow of the triggerguard). For these, I've usually seen just a "-" on the left screw. The other short screw is the right side by default, because the longer screw (also unmarked) goes to the rear. Some (later?) guns have three screws of equal length. On these, usually the left is marked "-", the right is unmarked, and the rear one carries the "+" marking. The terms "left" and "right" used here still follow the same convention as the others, and are defined by the gun's actual left and right sides. Therefore, with the gun inverted, the left will appear to be on your right as you are viewing it).

These are general guidelines, and I suppose there could be other variations. If the above advice doesn't help, you can just experiment with different placement to see what gives you the best alignment. Whenever you see a gun with buggered screws, there's a good chance they also weren't put back in the right place. When someone doesn't know how to use a proper screwdriver, there's a really good chance they didn't know that it matters where the screws go either.

[Bindlestiff]

OK, this looks like a good FAQ to add to our web page. Before I add it, I would like comments to make sure it is accurate. I am not a person that takes Parkers apart, so its up to you to keep me on track. Here is what I have so far, when it look correct I'll add it to FAQ:

How to get the proper index when working with Parker screw heads.


As you take apart a Parker shotgun, it is wise to remember the screw placement and one proven method to guarantee they go back where they came from is to use a stiff paper or wood block pattern, with holes arranged to mimic the screw arrangement for the right, left and bottom sides of the frame. Then as you remove any screw, place it in the paper or wood screw hole which corresponds to its original placement in the frame. Then, when you reassemble the frame, you will easily know where each screw belongs. Correct placement of the screws preserves proper screw slot alignment; which is always at right angles (either up & down or right & left).

If the screws are not aligned properly, the first thing to do is make sure they are in their proper locations. Typically, the screws on left side of the receiver are commonly marked with a "-" on its tip and nothing on the right. A "+" mark on any of them is usually an indication it is for the right side. The "left side" references the left side of the gun while looking at the bottom of the receiver with the barrels pointed away from you.

The floor plate screws can have different combination. Early guns have two short screws in the doll's head and one longer screw at the rear (partially covered by the forward bow of the trigger guard). For these, a "-" is usually seen on the left screw tip end. The other short screw (may be unmarked or it could also have a "+" marking) is the right side by default; the longer screw (also unmarked) obviously goes to the rear. Later guns often have three screws of equal length and on these the left is usually marked with a "-", the right has a "+", and the rear one is unmarked.

When installing these screws, insure the screw is in the proper location, and all the threads and channels are clean.

These are general guidelines, there could be other variations. If the above advice doesn't help, you can just experiment with different placement to see what gives you the best alignment.

Remember to always use the proper screwdrivers when working with any Parker screw to keep the screw head from being damaged.

[TARNATION !!!]

Being a bit nit picky here. The term used in the FAQ to describe the forward (muzzle) end of the floor plate could lead to a bit of confusion. Doll's head is normally associated with a rib extension that fits into the receiver.

Doll's Head - A rib extension on a break-open gun, ending in a circular or semi-circular shape in plan (resembling the head of a doll), mating into a similarly-shaped recess in the top of the receiver, designed to resist the tendency of the barrels to pull away from the standing breech when firing. Because an action's centerpoint of flexing when firing is at the base of the standing breech, not at the hingepin, a passive doll's head extension makes an effective extra fastener, even without additional mechanical locks operated by the opening lever.

Here is the link. A great guide to gun terminology with many photos as well.
Cheers,
Jack

[TARNATION !!!]

Had a look at two dismantled VH's. The left side screws bearing the "-" mark include:
Cocking Crank Pin Stop Screw
Hammer Screw
Hammer fastening screw
Floor Plate screw (front)

The corresponding right side screws are not marked.

Both have the longer rear floor plate screw, so there is no need for a "+" mark. I have had three apart and have not seen a "+" mark on any of them. All have had the longer rear floor plate screw.

Cheers,
Jack

[VH20]

Originally Posted by Jack Cronkhite

Had a look at two dismantled VH's. The left side screws bearing the "-" mark include:
Cocking Crank Pin Stop Screw
Hammer Screw
Hammer fastening screw
Floor Plate screw (front)

The corresponding right side screws are not marked.

Both have the longer rear floor plate screw, so there is no need for a "+" mark. I have had three apart and have not seen a "+" mark on any of them. All have had the longer rear floor plate screw.

Cheers,
Jack

Jack, what year is the newest of the three?

Jim

[TARNATION !!!]

150146 (first I took apart with a lot of issues - all gone now) 1909
This is the gun that got me deeply into PGCA forums
145522 (family gun that is now a very good paper weight) 1907
This is the gun that made me find PGCA
108603 (affectionately known as "second chance gun") 1902
This is the gun with lots of pictures in my albums in bits and pieces

Last two are still in pieces. I suffer from way too many things on the go and next to nothing finalized. My good wife occasionally suggests that one thing should get done. Those are red letter days because I actually finish something. She has not suggested yet that I finish the guns, just things like the garage door not working, all sorts of audio/video hookups that she wants so old stuff can become reborn as digital. She has a grand music collection and I know there cannot be enough time left to hear each track once. And then there's the broken china doll and the list goes on. but I do get some gun time and she feels it is most of the time. I'm sure I'm not the only one here with such a dilemma.

Cheers,
Jack

[Richard Flanders]

Robin, you need to add something that defines "left" and "right" sides. It's different depending upon whether you have the gun right side up or upside down and with the bbls pointed away or towards you. That needs to be clearly defined.

[Bindlestiff]

OK, can someone define this for me, I don't know the answer?

[Autumn Daze]

I would say for ease of assembly and disassembly that the gun should be upside down with the barrels pointed away from you.

[Bindlestiff]

Originally Posted by Dave Suponski

I would say for ease of assembly and disassembly that the gun should be upside down with the barrels pointed away from you.

So, does this mean the screw with the "-" on the end is the screw on the left when the gun is upside down and barrels pointed away? And, the side screws with the "-" on them are also the screws on the left side of the frame when the gun is seen from the same position? Or, is the "-" on the screws on the left looking from the top with the gun pointed away?

Can someone who has done this please explain which is the left side screws?