1914 Parker Trojan 12 Gauge SXS

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pitpenz83

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I have a project that i want to undertake and would like some opinions. The gun is a 1914 Parker Trojan 12 gauge sxs. It belonged to my grandfather and since he lent it out to my stupid uncle has not been used. My uncle abused the crap out of it and even left it in the rain a few times. My dad finally got it back over 40 years ago it has been sitting in the gun safe since unuseable.


The gun needs a lot of work and i'm looking for someone who can restore it. I would like it as close to prefect as can be had and original. I'm not worried about the cost i just want it done properly.


The gun is missing a few screws and the stock is all but shot. The metal on the gun looks really good other than the pitting. Thoughts??? Should i go ahead?


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If you want it fixed up to new by the best, it would be Doug Turnbull in the US, he is mainly a restorer of Parkers, Colts and Winchesters, other than another gentalmen, who father worked for Parker ,than restored them after the company closed, then he learned to retore Parkers from his Father, I think the name was Del gario, or along those lines? If you want the best offered info. go to Parker collectors forum, there is the most up to date info you could ask for. One thing is you will never get your money back out of the gun, thats fine if you just want a beautiful made gun that was part of your families history, I understand that very well, goodluck friend, and once you own a Parker, most other guns are compared against it! cheers from NWO, Dale Z!
 
jesus... did your uncle use the shotgun as a pry bar or as a hammer????? It always pains me to see a fine firearm abused, as I'm sure it pains you as well. A Turnbull restoration is going to cost you more than the gun is worth I feel. I know it has deep sentimental value to you, but research prices on doublegunshop dot com for trojan values. Why not find a used stock and refinish it yourself to honor your dad? Just don't sink a ton of money into it before you do your research. A good 'smith could re-blue it for you, and a used stock could put lots of life back into this gun. Get on to parkerguns dot org as well. Great forum, great members.I was looking at a 20 ga trojan a while ago, and after posting pics found out the stock was replaced and a few other red flags were raised for me as well.

Good luck in whichever route you take.
 
There are Canadian Gunsmiths who can restore this gun, Ask at Ad Hominen (sp) in Orillia, just behind Epps. Mr Mark Chizler (sp) is very very knowledgeable on Parkers. SC Gunworks in Markham is on par with Turnbull, ask for Stellios the owner.
 
Your pictures do not give the detail necessary to see how badly the metal surfaces are pitted. The metal may or may not be worth (or safe to) the trouble to restore. The butt stock is not the original to begin with and appears to be crudely made from a piece of oak or similar wood. It is possible to obtain semi finished butt stocks in the original pattern in proper walnut and have it fitted. The trigger guard tang appears to broken. It can be repaired . Is there a missing piece of it still there somewhere?

Also critical is the lock up of the barrels to the action. Is it still tight or does it rattle like a castanet when you remove the fore end and give it a shake?

Just about anything is fixable if your pockets are deep enough. You need to have it evaluated by a good gunsmith to get an idea how deep the pockets have to be.
 
Nick Makinson can restore it for you. Last time I was at his place there was a very rare and interesting L.C Smith belonging to Daniel Cote (owner of Double Gun Journal) that he was working on. He knows his stuff and is very good to deal with.
 
Your Parker is in pretty rough shape. If the pitting is into the steel and not just discoloured there will be a lot of buffing before blueing. Also a 1914 16 gauge is likely short chambered,2 9/16 in., another expense. I understand sentimental value but some of the guys are right, refinish the forend and buy a replacement butt stock and get it blued. Didn't Doug Turnbull pass away or was it another restoration expert? At any rate the good resto guys are EXPENSIVE!! You should use the old butt stock to beat your uncle over the head.
 
Thanks for all the responses. In reguards to my uncle; he is an ex uncle now and if i could find him i would beat him with what is left of the gun. Believe you me. I have found a few quality guys i think would be suitable for the job. I just have to decide which one and and what exactly i want to do to the gun. There is a fellow in Leader, SK that i have herd great things about. The nice thing with him is he is only a few hour drive away. I am going to take it to him in the next couple of weeks and see what he figures. Most place want the gun shipped to them and i'm not overly sure i want to be shipping it all over Canada for a quote.

Most places are charging about $2500 labor for the stock plus the piece of wood. Then $1000 for the barrels to be blued plus prep etc etc depending on what else you want done. The metal work seems pretty close in price from gunsmith to gunsmith.


I'd like to be in the $5000 range but if i can't do it preoperly im going to leave it for the time being. I'm either going to do it up right or not at all. I want the gun to be like brand new when i'm done so i'm not having to do anything else to it down the road. Pay now or pay later i always say.
 
pitpenz83 said:
Thanks for all the responses. In reguards to my uncle; he is an ex uncle now and if i could find him i would beat him with what is left of the gun. Believe you me. I have found a few quality guys i think would be suitable for the job. I just have to decide which one and and what exactly i want to do to the gun. There is a fellow in Leader, SK that i have herd great things about. The nice thing with him is he is only a few hour drive away. I am going to take it to him in the next couple of weeks and see what he figures. Most place want the gun shipped to them and i'm not overly sure i want to be shipping it all over Canada for a quote.

Most places are charging about $2500 labor for the stock plus the piece of wood. Then $1000 for the barrels to be blued plus prep etc etc depending on what else you want done. The metal work seems pretty close in price from gunsmith to gunsmith.


I'd like to be in the $5000 range but if i can't do it preoperly im going to leave it for the time being. I'm either going to do it up right or not at all. I want the gun to be like brand new when i'm done so i'm not having to do anything else to it down the road. Pay now or pay later i always say.
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$2500 for labour to make a stock plus wood? $1000 to polish and blue the barrels? Brother, you are being gouged. It doesn't cost $1000 to blue a set of barrels, not even rust blue.
 
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