Replacement of cocking mechanism - Page 2

B. Dudley · 06-28-2012, 08:20 AM

What all is missing for internal parts? Or do you not know know yet?

I would be interested to see more photos of your gun.

Based on the one that you posted, it looks like it has some pretty honest wear. And looks dirty. You might be surprised, a good cleaning of the gunk and grime could make a world of difference. Then a recut of the checkering to top it off.

Mills · 06-28-2012, 10:45 AM

Here is the email from the gunsmith:

" The parts missing are the complete safety, the complete hold open including the spring and plunger, and the big part is the floorplate. Even if we were able to locate the missing parts there are other issues. The interior of the bores are severely pitted and in our opinion unsafe to shoot any ammunition. We would not be able to backbore the barrels enough to make them safe to shoot. The other issue is the stock. It is in very poor condition and heavily oil soaked in the head. The only solution in our opinion would be to make a new stock. "

Now that I have the gun in hand, it does not look this bad. The barrels are pitted, but I saw a much worse set of barrels that Jim Kelly in Darlington said he could fix. It is a no. 3 frame and I understand the barrels are thicker for this frame size. The stock seems to have some life left in it. I blow dried some of the oil out of it last night. I took "floor plate" to mean the exterior metal underneath the action, but that is still there. One of the screws underneath is badly buggered (I think from the gunsmiths that have been looking at it). What I would like to do is get it up to safe shooting condition. I could probably live without the safety, as my idea of "safe" is broken open anyway.

Mills · 06-28-2012, 11:00 AM

. . . would also like to redo the checkering and pick up the engraving. I will get some more pictures and post them.

Kensal Rise · 06-28-2012, 11:01 AM

Mills:
If you still believe this gun has potential, it should be assessed by a gunsmith competent in the evaluation of double guns, and specifically their barrels. God only knows what this bloke did with your "floorplate."

The other parts mentioned can be found. The stock is key. Possibly you can post photos.

Best, Kensal

B. Dudley · 06-28-2012, 11:09 AM

Mills,

It sounds like the gunsmith that looked at it was not too versed in Parkers.

The safety button, and I am sure also the retainer spring, is still there evident of your photo. That means the only thing that could be "missing" is the actual safety jacket and arm that is in the stock head. These can be found every now and again and are not too difficult to put in and final fit for good operation.

The Hold open ("Parker Poker") is also a part that can be had without too much trouble and should be a near drop in fit.

I thought the gun would not cock? That might need some more exploring.

Yes, post some more pictures of the gun and lets see what you are dealing with.

Mills · 06-28-2012, 11:12 AM

I will try to get some better photos posted tonight. The stock seems just fine to me. No cracks or looseness at all. Beyond the buggered screw, the rest of the screws look good to excellent. Only 637 or so of DH 10 Damascus Parkers, according to TPS, so I feel this one is worth saving.

B. Dudley · 06-28-2012, 11:44 AM

Yes it is worth saving. And as long as the wood in the inletting is not soft and deteriorating, it is fine to keep using.

Mills · 06-28-2012, 08:16 PM

Here are a whole bunch of pictures. Notice a few things: top lever goes back to rest position when breach open, no checkering, engraving worn, a little off face, barrels probably cut . . . BUT skeleton steel butt plate still there and most screws in good shape. My untrained eye sees potential

B. Dudley · 06-29-2012, 07:51 AM

Your top lever is also left of where it should be indicating that the locking bolt is worn. Notice the radius is off of alignment. This should be lined up even and would have been at the factory. If it is right of that spot, then it usually means a dirty action. But if it is left of that mark, it means wear.
The action does look quite off face. Is it also loose?
The gaps between the wood and metal on the top tang would indicate a bit of head spreading to me.
Any things like the bad screws on the bottom could be corrected with new or repaired screws. This would be best done by someone that is repairing the engraving on the action which is quite worn on this specimen.

Kensal Rise · 06-29-2012, 08:52 AM

Mills:
It sure is hard to beat 'ol Dudley to the draw on these things. But... There is a LOT more potential in this Parker than you think. Here's my view:

The stock is definitely savable (I've seen MUCH worse), but needs a good wood man to do it.
The engraving looks fine to me. It's just dirty. A good ultrasonic cleaning is in order.
There is a bruise in the bottom plate ahead of the guard bow. This can be fixed.
The buggered bottomplate screw ahead of the guard is a horror and may require drilling out. This is the price of poor gunsmithing.
The lever stands to the left because the internal "trip" is missing-- or at least you said it was. The bolt may be fine.
As Dudley observes, the barrels look off face. This can also be fixed by a good smith.
The skeleton butt looks great, and can easily be cleaned up.
The little blonde fellow holding the Parker sees great potential in it too. For him!!

Recommend Brad Bachelder for all the work. He knows what he's doing and turn around isn't measured in years. If you run into trouble on the stock, feel free to PM me.

Best, Kensal