New Member, Old Parker

[Mike McClure]

I am new to your organization and am grateful for the wealth of knowledge that you provide. I recently acquired an 1885 12ga w/twisted barrels, good condition, considering the age, and have started "rehabilitation". Inside of the barrels looks surprisingly well with clean chambers and muzzle end with only a small amount of rust spotting in the mid areas. The twist barrels, while showing rust spotting are mostly smooth but have areas of pitting on the outside. I really don't want to go through a complete refinish of both the wood and metal but would like to preserve the gun, remove the rust so it will not degrade the metal and have it look respectful. Seems 0000 steel wool is only going to make it smooth and not remove the spotting and rust.
The stock, while oil darkened, is intact and only has a very small crack in the comb.
I would appreciate any thoughts and help. Thanks.

I am located in the Dallas area and need to know if there are any Parker type gunsmiths in the area .

[Mark Riessen]

Use lots of light oil and a Frontier pad on the metal surfaces. Don't get to crazy, you want to preserve the patina as much as possible. It is not suppose to look 'new' it is 100 + years old. Have fun, Mark

[Fishtail]

If anyone tells you to 'just clean the wood with Murphy's Oil Soap'...run the other direction.

[Mike McClure]

I've heard of the consequences of the Murphy soap deal. Unfortunately the stock is in need of some serious repair and glue so necessitated stripping and refinish. Going to be a good learning experience.

[Dean Hanson]

Please use Frontier Metal Cleaning Pads with light gun oil. I cleaned up my Dads 1884 Twist Steel Parker with the pads and Hoppes #9. Used Hoppes #9 on the stock with a light coat 1 minute "soak" then wipe dry. Stock cleaning took about 6-8 total applications. The stock was not oil soaked however. You can also clean the bores by wrapping some of the Frontier Pad around a bore brush and run it through. I used a cordless drill with great success. Also have on hand toothpicks, Q-tips, and a gazillion cotton rags ohh and an air compressor with blow gun is handy. Don't be afraid to be aggressive on the metal with the Frontier pads, just wipe dry and check often. Good luck

[Mike McClure]

Just a little update on things. I have disassembled the gun for inspection and found numerous cracks in the stock.
RE: http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19109

I have touched base with Brian Dudley and am very grateful for his expertise on stocks. I currently have the stock and fore grip soaking in acetone and will then clean soak everything in alcohol gluing the cracks with CA glue. I also expect to Acraglas the interior of the stock for protection, then do so refinishing work.

[B. Dudley]

Acraglass can also be used exclusively as your glue for repairs.

[Mike McClure]

So it would be acceptable to do the repair in stages, say mix a small amount for the cracks and wrap the stock letting it dry before doing the entire inside coating?

[Dean Romig]

You may want to consider using heat to get as much oil out as possible before the acetone soakings.





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[Mike McClure]

If it doesn't look better after today I think that would be the best plan. "Yes honey it really is a gunstock in the oven." :-(