I know what a junkie must feel like. I tell myself there will be no more project guns. But then I go to a gun show and another one lures me in. Yesterday, I saw two barrels poking out from under gun cases and boxes and asked if I could have a look. It was a Parker G grade serial no. 115303 that the guy had just taken in on trade the day before. No. 1 1/2 frame 12 ga. and 30" Damascus barrels with very slight pitting and one small dent 4" back from the left muzzle. The ribs are tight and they ring like chimes. It is very tight, on face and lever to the right. Some case colors remain, mostly in protected areas and the metal has no external pitting or dents. A couple screws have minor slot damage, but most look untouched. The forearm wood is sound with a few small dents, and the checkering is worn pretty smooth.
The bad news is that the buttstock is missing, and so are all of the safety parts, the screw which goes in the top tang under the top lever, and the wood screw for the trigger guard tang. Everything else is there and functional. The price was $200.00, so I couldn't leave it behind. I did manage to turn my back on an L.C. Smith hammer gun that was $175.00, but in rougher condition. There may be some hope for me.
Does anyone know when this Parker G was made? Any ideas of what the stock configuration would have been, capped pistol grip or semi pistol grip? Would it have had the spur top dog's head buttplate? Did Parker use English or Black Walnut for their gunstocks? Finally, I'd be interested in opinions of whether it would be preferable to find and fit an original 1 1/2 frame buttstock, or just go with a new one since the original equipment is gone anyway. Lastly, what is the parts interchangeability situation for my missing safety parts between the different grades and frame sizes? Thanks for any info you can provide.
