doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Project Parker GH

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.

Keith, The Parker was made in 1902 and it left the factory as a 12 gauge 30" gun with a capped pistol grip stock.A spurred butt plate is correct for the year of manufacture. Stock should be American Black Walnut and the safety parts are all the same regardless of frame size. Finding the safety parts will be a challenge buy they are out there. Hope this helps.

If you buy a used butt stock, look for a 2-Frame stock. Easier to find, and supposedly easier to fit.

Thanks guys for that very useful information. I knew going in that it would be a bit of a challenge to find the safety parts. If anyone has any suggestions of places to look, I'm sure listening. One last stupid question I've always wondered about... Parker frames are stamped V, G, D, etc., yet they are referred to as VH, GH, DH, etc. Where does the H come from and what does it mean? Thanks again.

keith

Keith, The H designates Hammerless. You may find some of the parts you need at Numerich.

OK, I lied. I do have another question. I have an old Parker buttstock that I bought some years back in a box of old stock wood. I tried it on this GH frame and it is about .050" too small all around the head where it meets the frame. It has a 0 beneath the serial number in the guard inletting. Would this 0 be the frame number, and if so, are they all so marked?

If nothing else comes up, I'm hoping I can have a blank turned oversized using this smaller butt as a pattern. Thanks again.

keith

If you interested in selling the O frame stock i have a friend needing one.....i think. Id better check with him though.

Keith, There is no hard and fast rule regarding Parker butt stocks. I have seen O frame stocks on 1 frame guns. Parker used stock sizes as part of the complete package to complete a gun of desired weight and balance. I think Replacements idea of using a 2 frame stock as a starting point makes sense.The frame at the head of the stock is the same for a 1 1/2 frame and a 2 frame gun.

Keith,

The 0 probably designates a V grade gun not the frame size.

Thanks, I'm learning a lot here. Battle, I made a note of your possible interest in my stock which is too small at the head, but at this point it may be my only option for a duplication pattern if it comes to that.

Yup, "0" in the trigger guard inletting is the grade. The frame size must be determined with calipers. Page 527 of The Parker Story will give you dimensions that will identify the frame size of your stock.

Page 45 of the Parker Gun Serial Number book will also provide that information as well.