DH grade guns with chequered side panels

[B. Dudley]

A letter will help a lot here. If the checkered panels were factory work, it would have been noted on the order. In my research for an article I am writing, I came across a DH grade gun that was factory checkered on the action panels and the record books do state this.
In this case the checkering was finer than the wrist was.

But no, the DH was not offered standard with checkered panels. So if you see them, they would be special order or added later. A lot of times, the quality of the work can weed out the later additions pretty quickly.

[ED J, MORGAN]

Bruce, You take nice pics. C you in Minn.

[neill mcinnis]

The dh I have been looking at is correct except for the side panels. Very clean gun and nothing to be ashamed of but the side plates makes me have reservations. I may buy it anyway.never can have too many.

[OH Osthaus]

if you know they are not correct, look closely inside the checkering for signs of dowel or wood plug that would cover a repair to the head of the stock.

[neill mcinnis]

Bruce , The DH I,m looking at have side plates quite simialer to your second pic.Its a nice honest DH but the side plates are difficult to figure. Thanks for the assistance.

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

Neill, D grades were not standard with checkered side panels, however they were about a $3 option. I have seen a few, but not many, that I believe are likely Parker side panels. Early ones were inletted with a beveled edge, later ones not necessarily inletted and beveled.

Of course posters above mentioned that checkered side panels often hide a cross stock head repair pin. Another reason is that during the 1960's and into the 70's before preservation of Parker originality became as important , it was in vogue to fancy up these old fashioned Parkers with checkered side panels like the high grade ones, and even to chop off the skeleton butt plates and add white line recoil pads. Many were done that way in upstate New York. In Kansas City, Simmons would even strip off the Parker inscribed top rib and install their special wide, flat topped ventilated rib .

Parker catalogs provide that D grades were made with "Circassian" ( Juglas regia) walnut, while late 1920's catalogs and thereafter state J. regia or black walnut ( J. nigra). The black walnut came from Parker's usual supplier in St Joseph, Missouri, now American Walnut Company.

Attached is a photo of a C with Parker inletted and beveled stock cheek panels. Notice that the checkering is fine and even. Coarse and uneven checkering would be an indicator of non Parker work.

Records do not necessarily tell all details on a Parker. A person needs to be able to tell through a variety of indicators what is correct and not. Additionally, many guns went back, records may or may not exist of that work or if existing, may be incomplete.

[C.O.B.]

I wouldn't let the checkered side panels worry me to much. I have 2 DHE 20's with them and some say it's factory some dissagree, me I just shoot them and enjoy them.

[Bruce Day]

Don't pass up a nice gun just because the checkered side panels are questionable to you. You know, some are crappily done....those are easy to reject. If they look right, why not proceed?

Several of us were looking at a buddy's new gun several weeks ago and he was pointing out a small and insignificant issue on a beautiful and uncommon gun. We likened it to having Miss America standing in front of him and him pointing out a pimple on her _____. You like the gun, it looks right, don't fuss about pimples.

[edward mccay]

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[Harold Pickens]

Can I hear an AMEN!! to the responses from Rich and BD!!

[Autumn Daze]

Here is a factory D grade stock with checkered side panels from around 1900. The letter states this was a requested addition. This is the"It's all wrong gun"