Possible book project

[Bill Murphy]

I agree. The removal of the sear springs to get the buttstock off the gun is fairly simple. Getting the sear springs to stay in place while you reinstall the buttstock is a ridiculous endeavor for someone that doesn't do it every day.

[B. Dudley]

John and others commenting on working on Parkers. My intent is not to train any reader on the service and repair of Parkers, but to only put together a complete and comprehensive set of take down and assembly instructions as well as complete parts diagrams and lists for all types of Parker actions. The other subject I would address is interchangeability of parts between frame sizes of guns.

Some of this information is out there, but lacking greatly as I see it and not all in one place.

I have no intention of making this any sort of restoration or collectors guide manual or anything of the sort.

[Craig Larter]

Brian: I believe a very comprehensive guide to evaluating a Parker would be very helpful to the Parker collector and shooter. A mechanical and functionality check list that is illustrated. This would make a great chapter in your book. Subjects like how to check on face, ejector timing, measuring a barrel properly--all illustrated. Craig

[Robert Delk]

I'm down for at least 5 copies. I bought 10 sets of Michael Petrov's 2 volume work on custom rifles and am glad I did. I plan on giving them away to needy collectors as I meet them.I usually buy multiple copies of any really good book on subjects that interest me and have not regretted it yet.I'm probably stuck with the rest of my Parker posters that I had made but hope you have better luck with your book.Good job.

[Brian R Skeoch]

Brian, you bet. You might visit with Steven Dodd Hughes, he has been down this road.

[jsd245]

Originally Posted by John Campbell

The previous few posts present a worthy point for consideration regarding any such "how to" manual. And it involves human nature.

On one hand, it would seem generous and helpful to provide the novice with a certain level of tuition on the proper disassembly procedures required. Better to "do it right" than make a muck of it is the easy rationale.

On the other hand, it is a well-worn phrase that "just enough knowledge to be dangerous" can indeed be - dangerous. Especially when a garage gunsmith reaches the FUBAR stage on a nice Parker's takedown.

Then the sorry bits must be sent off to some professional to be put right again. If they can be.


Finally, the Parker hammerless is not a boxlock for the neophyte to be learning anything on. It's more like asking a local tech at the Goodyear garage to tune your Ferrari.

Just my opinion.

I'd have to disagree with this- I followed Brian's disassembly procedures and found it very simple to completely disassemble and reassemble these Parkers. Granted I was working on those guns that I bought that were in rough shape, screws were already buggered up and the stocks on both were in terrible condition so I had few worries about cosmetic damage. Now that I've done it a couple times i would have few worries completely stripping any parker no matter how nice. I would consider a book like this valuable. For certain folks who like to work on their own guns, at least the simple stuff like totally stripping to lubricate, having a very clear takedown guide in print could be helpful.

The only downside I'd see is that really the only people who would buy it are those who are completely invested in collecting Parker's. I don't know how many copies of the parker story were sold, but I'd imagine a book like this would probably never eclipse those numbers by any great degree, though a lesser cost would probably drive more sales. If you consider it a labor of love, hoping to cover your costs and maybe some of your time I'd say go for it.

[Bob Jurewicz]

I guess I would have to be considered one of those "garage gunsmiths". I have from time to time gone into a few of my Parkers and other brands for various reasons. I would love such a manual!!!
I would only suggest that it not only include takedown and assembly guide but a gunsmith chapter on tools, proper tools, proper tool utilization etc. to help prevent the butchery we often see on vintage firearms.
Bob Jurewicz

[edgarspencer]

While I admire and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of sharing one's knowledge in a publication, I don't agree with the suggestion several have made regarding the PGCA underwriting some of the expense. Doing so has the appearance of condoning amateur gunsmithing. There is a fuzzy area of someone working on his own firearm, and working on a "friend's gun". I can see the disclaimers already.

Some PGCA board members have stated their own personal experiences with one professional gunsmith or another, and I think in those instances, it's apparent that's what they were; personal experiences, and not Association endorsements.

The assumed safety, and reliability of a potential purchase I might be considering would have the added factor thrown in: Never been touched, worked on by only skilled gunsmiths, using proper tools, techniques and materials, and now, worked on by shade tree mechanics.

Lastly, I am reasonably confident that the reserve of funds available to the board is not limitless, and many worthy expenses have to be weighed annually, many of which get tabled.

[B. Dudley]

If I go forward with this project, It will be an independent endeavor with no partnership expected or sought from the PGCA.

[Wes Shirah]

I will purchase also!

Wes