New member with a sad story...

[Matthew Nonnenmann]

Members,

First of all thanks for the PGCA! I am excited to be a member. However, I have a sad story. As a kid I always admired my dad's DH 12 bore. He was a great shot and I saw him kill 25 greenheads without a miss with his DH. When I graduated with my Ph.D. dad gave me his DH which he had restored by Mr. DelGrego. An amazing gift. The following Christmas we gave him an really nice all original VH 16 bore. He loved it. Well unfortunately I was hunting with dad and I damaged the stock of the DH...therefore I have not shot the gun since that event. I believe that some gas from the ignition blew back into the stock and damaged it. The stock is slightly separated from the receiver. I did send the gun back to Mr. Delgrego and he suggested I get a replacement stock. I respect his opinion, however putting a new stock on was expensive so I have not done it. Consequently, dad gave me his VH 16 bore to use. Well, 2 years ago I unexpectedly lost my dad to a fall from a deer stand. Very tragic and now I have no one to talk Parker guns with anymore! I hoping all of you will be able to help me.
This year I decided to shoot more often and take up some reloading to pass along what I have learned to my son. Well I reloaded some 28 bore and bought some "lil skeeters" to reduce the 16 bore to a 28 bore. This seemed to work well until today. I was out shooting and had a load that was short powder and unknown to me the wad was still in the barrel. I did not see it due to the reducers and did not even think to check...however the next shot two wads came out. I continued shooting and noticed that the sound of the shot changed a bit...more of a barrel ring to it. Then when I was cleaning the gun I noticed a small bulge on the right barrel and my heart broke. I then realized all the events leading up to the barrel damage and feel horrible. Do any of you have any advice for this Parker lover who has two Parkers that he can't shoot? Sorry for the lengthy post. However, I know many of you have the expertise to send me in the right direction.

Thanks so much.

Matt

[Bindlestiff]

Can you post some pictures of both, it would help to know how bad they are? Within reason, stocks can be repaired in a way that is almost undetectable.

[Dean Romig]

And minor bulges can be repaired as well.

You're right - that is a sad story. But you need to get those Parkers back into shooting order and continue to remember and honor your Dad by shooting and hunting with his guns.

Keep the faith.
Dean

[Matthew Nonnenmann]

Thanks so much for the replies. Here are some photos...let me know what you think. I thought the barrels were unusable, however a few posts that I have read, bring me hope.

Cheers!

Matt

[Bindlestiff]

Where are you located?

The stock, I would talk to Dave Trevallion (201) 361-1130. I know his work and you can't go wrong with David. He did an article several years ago when he and Michael McIntosh where writing Technician for Shooting Sportsman. In that article he used a large staple and glass on the inside of the stock head to pull everything back in place and made it stronger than it was to begin with. Dave is located in Sothern Maine, he may not be close to you; but USPS delivers even in Maine.

As far as the barrels, I think there is hope there too but I have little experience in that area. I'm sure someone here can recommend someone to look at them for you.

[Dean Romig]

The DH stock is quite repairable and the bulge seems to be minor and is very likely to be repairable as well. Several members here can direct you to stock specialists who can repair that stock so that it will be just as good and shootable as when it was new.
There are a few gunsmiths who also specialize in removing dents and minor bulges who either frequent this forum or possibly some members can make suggestions.

[Bindlestiff]

Here are a couple of names to try that can probably help you out with the Barrels, try:
Brad Bachelder in MI (616) 459-3636
Kirk Merrington in TX (830) 367-2937

They may be able to help you.

[Matthew Nonnenmann]

Thanks so much. I really appreciate the comments. I did feel some serious despair over this bulge today but you folks will make me sleep better tonight. I'm located in Tyler, Tx.

Cheers,

Matt

[Bindlestiff]

Good, hope it all works out for you. Let us know how you make out.

[Jeff K.]

I have had good results with Dave Wolf of Waco Tx on stock repair.
His # is 2546626451. He does wood work for Briley.
Jeff