Restock photo test

[John Hancock]

Dudley, Yes stock is from an English Walnut blank, only one I had that was as heavy as I think I want on the gun. Have some good Turkish blanks that are heavy but I do a Superposed from time to time and like the Turkish for them. I have for years wanted to buy a duplicator, allmost ordered one from Don Allen back before he started Dakota but decided I couldn't afford it. They still interest me but I have so much junk in the shop and it is only 40 x 60 that I don't think I will ever get up the energy to make a place for one and learn to use it. I made sort of a tracer attachment for my mill and used it to make a quarter rib for one of my rifels but beyond that it doesn't have much usefulness. As you guys can tell I like to tinker. Regards JH

[Ed Blake]

John - a tutorial on stocking a Parker would be a great contribution to the board. I have always admired people who can do that sort of thing and wished I had the talent to do so myself.

[todd allen]

John, I just discovered this post. I'm glad to see you out-living the doctor's predictions.
Thanks for sharing your handi-work with us, and please stay busy with stuff that makes you happy!
Happiness makes the heart go longer.

[tom tutwiler]

Curious how this project has moved along and wondering if there is a update to be received?

[B. Dudley]

Now don't rush him Tom.

[John Hancock]

Tom, Yes getting there. Put the last coat of finish on it about middle of the week, will rub it out in the next day or two and then let it alone for another couple of weeks before checkering. Will try and get a pic up after I rub it out. Been fooling with the VH 20 ga too, although I have shot lots of quail with it over the past 25 years it was allmost junk when I bought it and didn't get any better by itself. Got the forend finished and a coat of sealer on it, heading up the stock now.
Brian, Thats the spirit, may get you to remind my wife same.
Regards, JH

[Richard Flanders]

I think we should lock Mr. Hancock and Edgar Spencer in a shop filled with machinery and a pile of broken and needy Parkers to see what they would come up with in the end! Keep it up John. A photographic tutorial of your stock making process would be a great and lasting addition to our forum. That's going to be a nice gun when you're done.

The more I think about this the more I envision a nice shop with Edgar unloading a dump truck full of scrap steel, old bits of guard rail and culverts, and nuts and bolts and broken files into a large hopper outside one end and on the other end of the collection of complex machinery in the shop, John bolting nice new stocks onto fresh A grade Parkers coming out of the machinery on a conveyor belt. Can't you just see it??

Forgive me guys... it's been a long cold winter!

[edgarspencer]

I'll have whatever Richard's drinking. Come to think of it, make it two.

[Richard Flanders]

You better have a nip of something Edgar or you're going to be up all night for the next few days figuring out how you're going to design all the machinery for yours and Johns shop! You know you will! I can hear you thinking from here!

[John Hancock]

Got the wood "sorta" finished. Still not rubbing out like I want and only thing to do is let it cure out some more. Still a little to glossy for how I want it. In 30 days will rub on it some more. Will checker it about that time. Hawkins Pad from Galazan, as I made the grip a little thicker than origional, the Parker grip caps that I could find were too small so just made a "fake" cap out of ebony and pinned and screwed on with the origional screw. With 1 1/4oz. loads I like to have something to hold on to in the right hand and while I am still strong recoil has taken it's toll, still don't have to shoot a release trigger though. You can see from the comb this stock was made to shoot not to look at. Sank the forend latch 1/16" (had to make new screws even then), will shoot a round of trap now and then and in Texas when it is 100 degrees and you get on a short squad the latch will burn your hand. That's an old Browning case I got in some trade, don't remember, but the old gun will fit in it so likely how it will get carted around. Oh, wanted the gun to gain some weight, was 7# 15oz origionally, now is 8# 10oz. For me I like the weight, I won't carry it far but may shoot it a lot when I get there and with "trap" loads it doesn't kick. Enjoyed everyone's coments. When you spot the flaws be kind, I am old and can't see like I wish I could.
Regards, John Hancock