Opinions - True/Best Definition of Parker Skeet Gun?

[Brush Buster]

Good Morning Dean , No it isn't but it could also be considered a Skeet gun I wish it were marked ! The day I bought that gun Dean I feel like I was the most blessed individual on the planet I called the dealer and made arrangements to trade two guns and some cash for it and they agreed but I had to send the guns for evaluation ,it was a " Nail Biting " couple of days but all went well ,my description of my guns was suitable and the deal went through ! A few months later I met with Chuck Brunner to purchase a gun from Chuck and took the CHE 20 with me for show and tell and he told me he had contacted the same dealer about the C a few minutes after I did but they were good to their word and I ended up with it ,not sure just how many years ago that was but I would say were pushing 12 to 15 years I have owned it , I love carrying it but I have to admit I am quite careful with it in the field and never carry it for Grouse just Field hunting Pheasant !

[Twoatlow8]

I have a GHE, 12 gauge, Beavertail, Single trigger, Ejectors, 26” Vent Rib barrels, twin beads. I/C MOD pistol grip that is very straight, and a Hawkins pad.
It also has a second set of 30” Vent Rib ( properly marked) barrels with Beavertail and twin beads choked MOD/ FULL.
This is a 1928 gun and no records are available.
At this early time in Skeet , it was recommended that you use the gun you hunt with.
So where do Ventilated ribs and recoil pads fit in?
I have to say definitely a gun ordered with Skeet in mind.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Certainly a nice enough example Craig! Very pretty!





.

Thanks , but ............ , I'd like it better if it wasn't redone .

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Nice one Russ!! A lucky find!

Odd that your 28 gauge Skeet and mine were both manufactured in 1935 but only yours has the SKEET stamps.

Is your CHE 20 with beavertail, straight grip, 26" barrels stamped with Skeet In and Skeet Out on the barrel flats?





.

The 12 I have was shipped on December 23rd 1936 . My grandnson was born December 23rd .This one may eventually end up in the Philippines

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Reggie Bishop

Here is mine -

20 VHE
Flats marked skeet choked
Single trigger
Checkered butt
Straight stock
Beaver tail

It’s a sweet one! Pictured with a 16 gauge skeet.

Reggie at the risk of being nosey , did you acquire that one at auction in the last 14 or so months ? I kinda went after one at a CT Firearms Auction in October of 2020 . Was wondering if this were the same gun ?

[Reggie B]

Originally Posted by CraigThompson

Reggie at the risk of being nosey , did you acquire that one at auction in the last 14 or so months ? I kinda went after one at a CT Firearms Auction in October of 2020 . Was wondering if this were the same gun ?

This gun came out of an estate. Gun was supposedly bought new by a family member. It comes as close to being an unfired gun as I have ever owned.

[Bill Murphy]

My recently acquired 28 has 28" cylinder and cylinder bores. It is a very late, May 1939 gun that was apparently made at a time when proper skeet bores had been established, unlike earlier times when a lot of choke was thought most efficient. The chokes are not marked on my gun, probably because they are not skeet in and out chokes. However, proper skeet features are present, checkered butt, non automatic safety, twin ivory sights. I acquired my .410 from the original family, who had never seen a skeet field. It was a working quail gun from northern Virginia and shows its use in the field. My 20 is also from northern Virginia, but was used on the skeet field by Remington guy, Bob Hess, who was an NSSA competitor. Bob was the guy mentioned in some Parker literature as the person who outed the rare 24 gauge Parker. I hadn't thought of the fact that all three of my Parker skeet guns came from Virginia. I shot on the International Skeet circuit with Colonel John Hess, who one night at dinner told me about his dad's great little 20 gauge Parker skeet gun. I choked on my food before admitting to the Colonel that his dad's Parker was safe at home in my gun room.

[Dean Weber]

[QUOTE=Dean Romig;349880]Dean, The subject of "What Defines a True Skeet Gun" is a deep and very convoluted definition.
In my opinion, in regard to Parker shotguns, and there are those who will disagree with me, a Parker Skeet gun should have the following features:

1. Barrel length 28" or less.
2. Beavertail forend.
3. Non Automatic safety.
4. Chokes of IC/MOD or less but more open is preferred. (Skeet In/Skeet Out stamps not required)
5. Twin beads.
6. Should have originally been bought primarily to shoot Skeet but hunting upland game as well is not a disqualifier.

Dean,
I appreciate your input to my questions. Do you agree that your criteria in 4-6 would not have been taken into account in TPS chart? If true, if we disregard any guns which were upgraded after the fact, the numbers in the chart would still be potentially higher than if we also considered non-automatic safety or twin beads as an absolute criteria? Certainly the authors were unable to consider the purpose of the gun in #6.
Best

[Reggie B]

In my opinion, the definition of a Parker skeet gun is going to vary depending upon who you ask. I have heard some who are of the opinion that if the flats aren't stamped skeet in/skeet out then it isn't a skeet gun.

[Dean Weber]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

My recently acquired 28 has 28" cylinder and cylinder bores. It is a very late, May 1939 gun that was apparently made at a time when proper skeet bores had been established, unlike earlier times when a lot of choke was thought most efficient. The chokes are not marked on my gun, probably because they are not skeet in and out chokes. However, proper skeet features are present, checkered butt, non automatic safety, twin ivory sights. I acquired my .410 from the original family, who had never seen a skeet field. It was a working quail gun from northern Virginia and shows its use in the field. My 20 is also from northern Virginia, but was used on the skeet field by Remington guy, Bob Hess, who was an NSSA competitor. Bob was the guy mentioned in some Parker literature as the person who outed the rare 24 gauge Parker. I hadn't thought of the fact that all three of my Parker skeet guns came from Virginia. I shot on the International Skeet circuit with Colonel John Hess, who one night at dinner told me about his dad's great little 20 gauge Parker skeet gun. I choked on my food before admitting to the Colonel that his dad's Parker was safe at home in my gun room.

Bill,
By your comments, can I conclude your opinion to be a checkered butt for less than grade 3, twin beads, and non-auto safety are requirements for a Parker skeet gun? Also, you do not believe choke markings are a requirement?
Thank you for your viewpoint.