Parker Skeet guns

[Southpaw]

My dad has a 12 gauge VH that someone cut back the barrels to 26. It is a very nice shooter. Someone might have done it to make a skeet gun. Not sure what choke or any choke is in that gun but it sure is a game getter and clay buster. Its almost not sporting, with almost being operative word.

Mike I take it your gun also has single selective trigger.

Bob your gun is also a stunner and looks like a fun gun to have in the quiver.

[Steve Hodges]

I read in the Parker Pages that the Skeet In/Skeet Out stamping on the barrel flats began in "about" 1937. So would a true factory skeet gun be made beginning in 1937 and would a letter supporting a true factory skeet gun mention the skeet choking?

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hodges

I read in the Parker Pages that the Skeet In/Skeet Out stamping on the barrel flats began in "about" 1937. So would a true factory skeet gun be made beginning in 1937 and would a letter supporting a true factory skeet gun mention the skeet choking?

Remington Skeet Gun Advertisement including Parker Skeet Gun from 1935.

[Dean Romig]

Maybe Steve, but maybe not. Remington didnt go to great lengths to record that sort of thing and it was in 1937 that the Parker operation was moved to Illion. Choke is rarely if ever recorded on the IBM cards used by Remington.





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[Steve Hodges]

Thanks Dean. The reason I ask is because I have been looking at a "Skeet" Configured gun made in 1935. It has 26" barrels, single trigger, straight stock, and beavertail forend. And has a Parker Letter supporting all of this. But the original factory choking is not mentioned in the letter, and the barrel flats are stamped Skeet In/Skeet Out. The seller is selling it as a factory skeet gun. Oh, and it was re-finished by Larry D.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hodges

Thanks Dean. The reason I ask is because I have been looking at a "Skeet" Configured gun made in 1935. It has 26" barrels, single trigger, straight stock, and beavertail forend. And has a Parker Letter supporting all of this. But the original factory choking is not mentioned in the letter, and the barrel flats are stamped Skeet In/Skeet Out. The seller is selling it as a factory skeet gun. Oh, and it was re-finished by Larry D.

Steve, any parker stamped “Skeet” refinished by Del Grego is questionable.
They upgraded a sizable number of Parkers to “Skeet” guns and many went from V grades to higher grades. Most of these guns had serial numbers only found in the “missing” books.
You are very fortunate that a research letter supports everything but the chokes.... but therein lies the big (?). There’s no way to prove it either way.

My personal opinion is that I wouldn’t pay a “Skeet Gun” price for it.

I once had the opportunity to buy a 20 gauge GHE “Skeet” configured gun from a guy at my club that I knew was a Del Grego gun, for $2K. I passed on it and a year or so later it appeared on the web page of a well-known dealer for $7500 and it didnt stay there long. Just saying - those guns are not for me.





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[Steve Hodges]

Thanks Dean, I am going to pass on the gun. Good advise.

[MD*GSP]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hodges

Thanks Dean, I am going to pass on the gun. Good advise.

Steve - I think we've looked at (and considered) the same gun. As you stated, there's a letter, which is great, but! The choke markings showing, "skeet in/out" seem to have a different font than other pcs that appear to be the genuine article. Further, the gun has a pad. We don't get the benefit of a bare checkered butt to help with verification.

All said, if indeed we're referencing the same pc; it is a nice gun and does seem to be priced accordingly considering the uncertainty(s) that exist.

*caveat - please don't hold me to the assertion of a different font stamp b/c there's alot I don't know regarding variables over time as the guns were produced.

[Dean Romig]

I've seen the gun Pete.





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[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

I've seen the gun Pete.

I know it's been awhile, what is your judgement on it's originality as a "Skeet" gun?