Just got my first Parker 12 gauge.

[Rick Parker]

Pa SxS, IF this is the original stock, and since you said pistol grips weren't common in that day...wouldn't this set up be a "special order"?, or at least a little more rare? maybe adding to the dollar value of the setup. I know she is a Plain Jane.,.but I am looking for at least something special about her....lol In other words, would it be worth sending the stock to a professional?

Rick Parker

[Rick Parker]

It looks to me that someone had tried to fill something and was sanding it...had to be recent, because it looks to be done with a disc sander that got away from them...cant some people just leave things alone? I bet she was pretty even with all her nicks received over the last 137 years. The stories she could tell if she could talk.

[Pa SxS]

The Serialization Book and Stock Book says it should be a straight stock. More than likely, the trigger guard was modified from a straight design to a curved design for the pistol grip, hence the 2 screws seen. It may have been a Parker pistol grip stock off of another gun but it's really not important. The gun is not valuable even with the original stock. Just clean it up and enjoy it either shooting if safe or as a wall hanger.

[Rick Parker]

Thanks for the information. I don't think the gun is worthless...it is a 137 yr old Parker, it should have some inherent value. However, I have no dellusions that I had found an expensive gun. I really like the gun, would love to shoot it, and besides, my name is on it.....Parker....lol How, or where do I find the info you used to answer my questions about the stock? Not that I doubt you at all....quite the opposite, I want to learn as much as I can.

Thanks again,

Rick Parker

[Pa SxS]

I'm the Research Chairman and I have copies of the original Order and Stock books.

[Rick Parker]

So? does this information you have tell anything about the original purchaser? or just the info of status as it left the plant? My wife saw me rubbing on it with a cloth, and said that if I did that to her, we would get along better...lol

[OH Osthaus]

on a lower grade gun- the original purchaser/receiver may well be a dealer or sporting goods store.

[B. Dudley]

It looks to me as if that buttstock is a replacement. There are several things about it that do not look correct for a Parker of that era. The guard is longer than a PG guard should be, and it does have 2 screws, which is not correct. The checkering pattern is not correct either, it comes up far too high against the locks. The lock panels are a bit too defined. And the shield on the top is too large and not the correct shape for a Parker.

But, the fit of the stock looks to be good.

The gun does have value, but "value" is all relative. It is not rare or in super high original condition. But it has the value of any other Parker shooter of that age. Not a bad find for your first hammer gun.

[Autumn Daze]

It is my belief that the stock on this gun is original. I once owned an early lifter in the 3000 serial range that had the stock shield that was larger than we are accustomed to seeing and I have also viewed a few others that were likewise. The checkering looks correct albiet pretty dirty with crud. We must remember that the straight grip was very common on early guns but the half pistol grip was the next most seen. Capped pistol grips came much later and ball grips are only seen on higher grade guns.