Remington to Resume Production of the Parker Gun

By Ed Carroll

[img 1 left caption=Remington's new Parker AAHE 28-gauge gun.]In December Remington Arms Co. announced that it will bring back a very limited number of Parker Guns, and early indications are that the high-finish AAHE 28-gauge will attract enough buyers to continue the program beyond the first run.

"We're fairly certain that we have pre-sold the first year's production run," said Linda Powell, head of public relations for Remington. "It's not anticipated at this point that this will be limited to a one-year program . . . . There probably will be a waiting list."

For a bit of history, Remington purchased the Parker Gun Co. in 1934 and continued handcrafting the "Old Reliable" until the onset of World War II. In the early 1980s Remington licensed the use of the name "Parker Reproduction" for use on side-by-sides, and guns were briefly built for Winchester, under contract to the license-holders. In 1988/'89 Remington attempted to reintroduce a Parker Gun, but after taking deposits, canceled the program-although it did ultimately deliver a couple of guns.

The new Parker Gun will be built on the original Parker design by Connecticut Shotgun Mfg. Co., and it seems a fitting stablemate to Connecticut Shotgun's opulent approaches to American classics such as its A.H. Foxes and Winchester Model 21s.

For a standard offering priced at $49,000, the new Parker will come with exhibition-grade Circassian walnut and a degree of handwork in checkering and engraving comparable to the original maker's highest grades. Options will be available on forends, grips, triggers, stock dimensions and engraving patterns.

Remington is taking orders with a 50-percent deposit until the capacity for a year's production-planned at 10 to 12 guns-is sold. When that number has been reached, the company will begin putting names on a waiting list.

Powell said that the Parker reintroduction "is something that's been on the drawing board for some time."

At press time, Remington planned to show the gun at the Safari Club International Convention in Reno in January and at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas in February. For more information, visit www.parkergunmakers.com or e-mail Parker@Remington.com.

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