A question of..Safety..

[mobirdhunter]

The few Parkers I've seen (not many in person) with no safety AND that were ordered that way according to the research letter did not have the filled slot that yours shows (again, my direct observations are few). I've seen several with the slot filled as with yours, and I always assumed that was an after factory production change. With a gun with barrels that long, it would be a good guess that the owner shot competition and did not want a safety (and lots of hunters disliked safeties -- a notable person was Aldo Leopold). I think the comment to check the stock to see if it was cut out to accommodate a safety is the best answer to the question. If it was not original to the gun, I think relative to its collectable value, there should not be much of an issue since you are planning other restorations.

In any event, what a nice find: a 16 with long barrels like that!

[Brush Buster]

Jerry ,are you planning on ordering a letter , That may tell you about the safety ! That is where I would start if it were me ! A 32" 16 will be a dandy , Nice Find !

[6pt-Sika]

If it were mine the safety issue would be to replace . The barrels might get a reblue if they look really bad but most likely unless over forty percent of the stock finish is gone I’d leave that alone and I’d not even think about a re case job . But I’m not big on “re” anything .

[B. Dudley]

That gun did not leave the factory without a safety.

[6pt-Sika]

We had a DHE 16 gauge 29” at the shop that was without safety no slot no safe engraving and yes the barrels lettered 29” .

[Jerry VanHorn]

Talked to my 'smith last night. He is going to remove the stock..and has the necessary parts to put the safety back in place..

[Randy Roberts]

Jerry attached are some examples of Parkers with no safety for your consideration. The first 2 are a CHE and a DHE both 12 gauge guns with 34" barrels. The research letter on these confirms that "no safety" was requested. The third is a VH 20 gauge with 32" barrels and a research letter that makes no reference to the safety. There is little doubt however that the absence of the safety is Parker work as there is no evidence of tampering/welding where the slot would have been and the engraving placed in that area seems appropriate. You have made the right decision to replace the safety IMO as the gun left the Parker factory with one most assuredly.

[Researcher]

I'm sure the three guns you show are Parker Bros. work. However, I am just as sure they have the safety slot plugged and engraved over. I can see the plug in your pictures of the CHE and VH. I saved the photos out and blew them up on PAINT. I have never had a no-safety Parker Bros., Ansley H. Fox, Philadelphia Arms or Remington in my hands that I couldn't see the plug on very close examination. That safety slot must be milled in the frame forgings very early on in their production.

[B. Dudley]

Randy. The VH is filled in.

I have observed a couple frames that had no slot. But the cast majority of safety-delete guns have filled-in slots.

[Researcher]

Good eye Dave

Thirty years as an "Intelligence Research Specialist, Imagery Analyst".