Very timely answer Sir- I have a "pending" deal on a 12 R Frame Ideal- extractors, double triggers 30" Barrels Mod and Full-original buttstock with pg cap and original BP (not cut or re-set for a recoil pad) and a trade with a surplus Bamboo 4/5 wt. fly rod I haven't used in some time- BUT- apparently the gun was in a LOM case, which was mis-placed and the forearm (splinter I believe- not the appendage from a deceased beaver) must have been in the extra cloth compartment usually set for a 3 pc. cleaning rod- I don't use LOM cases that much, but believe you should secure the forearm (splinter) to the barrels- SO, I need a R frame 12 gauge Field or Ideal splinter forearm with the iton intact- fortunately this is an extractor gun, but I would consider an ejector forearm, and remove the pin and ejector springs and trips and convert it- I would prefer the series with the roll release (as seen on the ejector guns, but the std. Field spring pull-off style would be OK too-lookihng for a clean one with no "boogered" checkering or cracks or splits- I have a 1896 12 O grade receiver with locks, firing pins, lever, triggers, both tangs for sale or trade- also a 1940 Field Grade 12 gauge R frame receiver intact, also for sale or trade-
I agree with your analysis- Boy Howdy, Parker sure had a lot of frame sizes, but even on those "Old Reliables" finished gun weight (and balance) can vary from gauge and frame size somewhat. I have a 1909 12 Smith 3E- DT, 28" Nitro barrels choked Mod. and Full- fits me like an Armani suit on a Goombah-perfect balance and "in hand weight" feels exactly like my hunting partner (retired Judge in our Co.) AH Fox 16 AE- and I believe I read that the Fox 16's were made on the same frame as their 20 gauge guns-
None of my Smiths have cracks anywhere in the stock-locks-tang areas- I mainly shoot lighter loads in them, except the "Pigeon Gun" a rebarreled 2E with 32" Nitro proof barrels and factory ventilated rib- 3" chambers, Full and Really Full-3 position safety, DT, splinter forearm, red solid pad 8 lbs. a friend has a Trap Grade Model 21 in this same aprox. configuration (but with single trigger) also 3" chambers but NOT a DUCK Model 21- and it weighs over 9 lbs. He is built like Dick Butkus, so that M21 "cannon" is a "candle in the wind" for him, I've shot it at Tower birds, but I can shoot that Smith 100 times better- Model 21's a indeed fine guns, but tend to be a tad heavy for their gauge, at least the few I have handled and shot- but "someday"!!
