Early Parker 12ga hammer Disassembly HELP!

Brian Garcia · 12-04-2022, 06:49 PM

Hello everyone! I recently acquired an early model Parker double barrel hammer Shotgun. I wanted to thoroughly clean everything and remove any rust to restore it's beauty. I'm trying to figure out how to take off the lock plates so that I can disassemble and clean. Does anyone have manual or instructions? I tried taking off the trigger guard after removing the two screws and then rotating as I've seen in videos on YouTube. The trigger guard won't budge one bit. Can't even lift up a little and rotate. Is this normal?? Thank you for any and all help. Please see the pictures below for an idea of what I am working with! Thanks again!

Brian Garcia · 12-04-2022, 06:59 PM

Please see the attached pictures for reference. Thank you

todd allen · 12-04-2022, 08:11 PM

That gun may have some potential. My advice is that if you don't have some gunsmithing skills, track down someone to evaluate it.
Not meaning to be disrespectful, but screwdrivers in the wrong hands are the quickest path to hurting the value of a classic gun.

B. Dudley · 12-04-2022, 08:43 PM

Do not take this the wrong way, but If you are unable to figure how to remove the guard or locks, then stop right there. How do you plan to take down the more complicated parts of the gun if you are unable to get that far.

Get the gun to someone who knows what they are doing before you do harm.

And as an fyi, the checkering on your gun has been previously incorrectly recut. Or incorrectly cut completely. With the gun being a base grade gun, it may have not had any checkering to start with.

Brian Garcia · 12-04-2022, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

Do not take this the wrong way, but If you are unable to figure how to remove the guard or locks, then stop right there. How do you plan to take down the more complicated parts of the gun if you are unable to get that far.

Get the gun to someone who knows what they are doing before you do harm.

And as an fyi, the checkering on your gun has been previously incorrectly recut. Or incorrectly cut completely. With the gun being a base grade gun, it may have not had any checkering to start with.

I already took it to Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing. They solely specialize in high end shotguns that cost tens of thousands of dollars...and both gunsmiths (Remember, they only work on shotguns) there didn't want to try to disassemble because they were unsure how and didn't want to risk damage. Now if the guys who only specialize in shotguns can't figure it out, whats another gunsmith going to do? All the other gunsmiths in the area seem to work more with modern firearms. Cole recommended Turnbull Restoration Co. but if the shotgun is a base grade like you said, why would I spend thousands of dollars for something that isn't worth much?

Mark Britton · 12-04-2022, 10:06 PM

There are gunsmiths and there are Side by Side Gunsmiths that's the difference .

Big D · 12-04-2022, 10:56 PM

Cole's emphasize modern guns, and are Beretta dealers and repair facilities. Work they did for me was quick and good. 2 other smiths failed to fix the problem, and
Cole's fixed it in about 15 minutes

B. Dudley · 12-04-2022, 11:45 PM

Pulling the locks requires the removal of a single screw. The same as or simpler than any other sidelock gun. I dont know Coles from Adam. But If they specialize in shotguns, then there should be nothing special about it.

ArtS · 12-05-2022, 11:40 AM

Brian is correct. hose are about the easiest locks made to remove. Those look like they have been off several times. If this is a challange, the rest of it will be a problem.

I suspect that Coles just didn't want to fool with it. I own a number of Berettas, old and new, and Cole's in my opinion are the go to people in the US for them. They do a lot of custom stock work, barrel installations, parts work etc. I guarantee they could have removed the locks in 30 seconds if so inclined. Just not their business.

Rick Riddell · 12-05-2022, 12:37 PM

Hey Brian, don’t let a few sour apples ruin the bushel. There are some absolutely amazingly helpful guys on this board. I think the message that came out was a little perverted. There is a really good chance the trigger guard is seized, probably something Coles didn’t want to fuss with. A different doublegun smith can probably help with a little more attention needed. I would check out the main page under Parker grades it will give you a better idea of what you have. This link will give you a good look at what’s needed for assembly and reassembly
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SjG3Stpw0oQ They put on a whole series for restoration. Good luck!!!