New to me semi project CHE

King Cobb · 07-20-2018, 06:29 PM

Well, ignoring the advice of one Ed Muderlack in his writings, I paid the premium to acquire my first Parker model with an E on the end. I typically agree with Mr. Muderlack regarding paying a premium for that E when it is easier to collect your shells without it, but this opportunity presented itself and there you have it.

Acquired this fine 12 ga from Patrick, and it is a nice CHE in my opinion. Has the small matter of attending to the buttstock issue and getting a Silvers pad back on it rather than that ugly ventilated recoil pad, but all in all a nice gun. Barrels are in nice shape, bluing isn't perfect but for now it doesn't bother me. Maybe long term it will get reblued, who knows. Its a 2 frame weighing in at 7lbs 15 oz, and while not as big as either of my 3 frame barrels, it does have some nice swamping to it. It was ordered by the Seattle Hardware Company in Seattle in 1904, and requested that it have ejectors, a silvers pad, and lyman sights with a LOP of 15". Some short armed wimp decided to alter that for a recoil pad.....

I really am a fan of the quality and condition of the engraving on this gun. It isn't anything dynamically different from Ds in many ways, but is better executed and seems to be somewhat deeper. If you really get into detailed comparing with a contemporary DH, the differences become more pronounced.

Anyway, the break at the wrist seems to be well repaired and solid, but the crack is still visible and there is glue in some of the checkering. I have been told it can be repaired, and I have also had some hesitance to work on a repair that has already been made. So we shall see what can be accomplished. I really have no wish or desire to replace this original stock. Its a well balanced old girl and for weighing in at 7lbs 15 oz with 30 inch barrels it seems a bit heftier than I would expect, but like I said it is well balanced.

Anyway, another project to mess with/occupy myself with.

King Cobb · 07-21-2018, 07:32 PM

Any advice on the ability to repair the stock? I am waiting for a response from a few people I have read reccomended over the years.

charlie cleveland · 07-21-2018, 08:00 PM

fine gun you have there as you said the engraving just stands out...you got a keeper for sure...charlie

TxHuntermn · 07-22-2018, 01:22 AM

Dan Wolf in Waco Tx, is a magician on stocks like that. He just sis a VH O frame 20 for me that had 9 compound fractures in the wrist. You cannot tell it is repaired, and I asked him to “keep the honest wear” on the gun....flawless....expensive....but flawless!

Kensal Rise · 07-22-2018, 10:02 AM

It's all up to you, but...

It seems the "repair" is holding well. Thus, it's a matter of cosmetics. For that, Bachelder or The Stock Doctor are superb choices. They may also be able to give you a professional assessment of the bodgered "fix."

Tom Flanigan · 07-22-2018, 12:00 PM

It was kind of a sloppy job, But if they used glass bedding compound, it will probably hold. The checkering can be fixed. A person skilled in checkering can work the pattern to the same depth overall and even checker over the compound. Applying "patina" over the recut pattern will make the compound dissappear.

If it was my gun, I would drill a hole length wise under the end of the tang and through the grip. I would fill the oversize long bolt hole with acra-glass compound and put the bolt in. That way you would know for sure that the fix is not going to break again. I would do this because I wouldn't trust the work of anyone who would leave that mess on the gun. The good news is that it is a mistake that can be easily fixed and made right. Nice gun.

Bill Murphy · 07-22-2018, 04:49 PM

Dave Wolf, Waco, TX?

Alfred Greeson · 07-23-2018, 09:42 AM

I like it. The more you hear and read about C's, the more you appreciate them. That gun has some really nice engraving. A great project, please send pics as it progresses.

davidboyles · 07-23-2018, 10:45 AM

I think you scored on a nice C. I have had numerous transactions with Patrick and he is an outstanding member of our organization. Always fair and shows all the flaws on his sale items. I think you have been given sound advice on restoring that baby.She will clean up to be a fine prized piece. Very nice wood and engraving. I've owned 2 CH guns and for some reason I have not held on to them. That's part of the disease !!!!

King Cobb · 07-23-2018, 10:47 AM

Yeah, I just always thought the first thing I would buy from Patrick would have been a gun case lol.

I believe it was Mr. Murphy who said that there is always a nicer Parker out there.