Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this absolutely stunning side-by-side shotgun for a penny-start auction; it is the Winchester Parker Reproduction DHE!
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In 1984, Reagent Chemical & Research, Inc. contracted Winchester to manufacture a new Parker shotgun, specifically the DHE model, which was initially available in 20 and 28 gauge. Fabricated in Japan to original Parker specifications, this reproduction was so authentic that most parts were interchangeable with the late Parkers produced by Remington in Ilion, NY. The DHE Grade featured 26 or 28-inch barrels, a boxlock action, ejectors, single selective or double triggers, and options for a beavertail or splinter forend, as well as straight or pistol grip stocks. It included a skeleton steel buttplate, Japanese engraving in the original DH style, a case-hardened frame, and rust-blued barrels, all supplied with a leather trunk case, a canvas and leather cover, and snap caps. The quantities manufactured for this model were as follows: 12 gauge - 2,137 units, 20 gauge - 6,050 units, and 28 gauge - 4,203 units.
This example is one of the 6,050 produced in 20 gauge! The fit and finish of this shotgun is truly remarkable. Whether you're a collector of Winchester or Parker firearms or simply seeking one of the finest doubles available, this model makes an excellent addition to any collection in America.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Olin-Kodensha, in Japan, for Winchester, Contracted by Regent Chemical & Research
Model: Parker Reproduction DHE Grade
Serial: 20-03844
Date of Manufacture: The
Caliber: 20 Gauge 2 ¾" Chambered
Finish: Blue with Color Case Hardened Frame
Barrel Length: 26" with Modified and Improved Cylinder Choke Bore
Optics/Sights: Brass Bead Front
Stock/Grips: Checkered Fancy Walnut Straight Grip Stock and Splinter Forearm
Action: Toplever, Break-Open, Side-by-Side Shotgun
Markings: Standard / Features DHE-style game scene and scroll engravings.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
In 1959, Tom Skeuse, a chemical engineer, founded Reagent Chemical & Research, Inc. in Ringoes, New Jersey, to meet the increasing demand for industrial chemicals like hydrochloric acid, essential for applications such as water purification and paper manufacturing. Twenty years later, he acquired White Flyer Targets from Olin Industries, aligning with his passion for Parker shotguns. In mid-1983, Tom discovered that the Olin-Kodensha affiliate in Japan, where Winchester’s Model 23 and Model 101 shotguns were produced, had excess manufacturing capacity. This collaboration combined American technical expertise with Japan’s modern facilities and lower production costs, creating a significant opportunity in the shotgun market.
Model: Parker Reproduction DHE Grade
Serial: 20-03844
Date of Manufacture: The
Caliber: 20 Gauge 2 ¾" Chambered
Finish: Blue with Color Case Hardened Frame
Barrel Length: 26" with Modified and Improved Cylinder Choke Bore
Optics/Sights: Brass Bead Front
Stock/Grips: Checkered Fancy Walnut Straight Grip Stock and Splinter Forearm
Action: Toplever, Break-Open, Side-by-Side Shotgun
Markings: Standard / Features DHE-style game scene and scroll engravings.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
In 1959, Tom Skeuse, a chemical engineer, founded Reagent Chemical & Research, Inc. in Ringoes, New Jersey, to meet the increasing demand for industrial chemicals like hydrochloric acid, essential for applications such as water purification and paper manufacturing. Twenty years later, he acquired White Flyer Targets from Olin Industries, aligning with his passion for Parker shotguns. In mid-1983, Tom discovered that the Olin-Kodensha affiliate in Japan, where Winchester’s Model 23 and Model 101 shotguns were produced, had excess manufacturing capacity. This collaboration combined American technical expertise with Japan’s modern facilities and lower production costs, creating a significant opportunity in the shotgun market.
In the March/April 2012 issue of Shooting Sportsman, Larry recounted a moment from the late 1970s when he and Tom stood before an exhibit of high-grade Parkers at the Houston Astro-Hall Gun Show, where Tom pondered, “Why hasn’t someone brought the production of these magnificent guns back to life?” Larry replied, “Money, Tom, just money.” This sparked Tom’s quest to resurrect the Parker shotgun, a pursuit that gained momentum upon discovering the underutilized manufacturing capacity at the Olin-Kodensha facility. Once assured that Olin wouldn't mind if he negotiated directly with Kodensha, Tom flew to Japan with a D Grade Parker from his collection. However, Kodensha's managers were initially skeptical of Tom's vision for an authentic “clone” of the Parker shotgun. He insisted that the gun meet the standards of the Parker brothers, demanding a forged receiver rather than an investment casting, and requiring that even the smallest screws and springs be manufactured to such precision that they would interchange with original Parkers.
Ultimately persuaded by Tom's confidence in their capabilities, Kodensha agreed to manufacture a prototype of the Parker shotgun. Their technicians disassembled Tom's D Grade Parker into its smallest components and created technical drawings, a process fraught with potential errors due to the conversion of U.S. Standard thread and English measurements into metric dimensions. Tom made several trips between New Jersey and Japan to ensure that Kodensha management understood the critical benchmarks they needed to achieve. When Tom returned from Japan with the first prototype, a DHE 20-bore, he visited Larry Baer to showcase the gun. While it superficially resembled a Parker Bros. shotgun, they quickly identified that the barrels, trigger guard, stock dimensions, and other features did not meet Parker standards. After outlining necessary modifications, Tom decided to return immediately to the Kodensha factory to oversee the changes rather than continuing to New Jersey. In total, five prototypes were produced before Tom was satisfied that the shotgun met the quality of those made in Meriden and Ilion. The technology and metallurgy of the early 1980s significantly outperformed those from 1869 to 1942, allowing the Japanese to replicate original Parker components with remarkable precision. Interestingly, one of the screws from Tom’s D Grade Parker was actually a replacement, yet it perfectly matched the original when reproduced at Kodensha. It was only after Larry provided original screws for comparison that the slight discrepancy was discovered.
Before Kodensha could begin production of the Parker Reproduction shotguns, Tom had to secure permission from Remington Arms, the owner of the Parker Bros. intellectual property, to use the trade name. Once permission was granted, production commenced, and each shotgun was marked with the logo “Parker Reproduction by Winchester,” typically imprinted on the top rib or engraved over the chamber area of the left barrel. Although the Winchester Repeating Arms division of Olin Industries was not directly involved with the Parker Reproduction shotguns, the first guns shipped to the U.S. in late 1983 were imported under Winchester’s import license, leading to the logo's usage. After obtaining his own import license, Tom remained dissatisfied with the quality of stock wood available in Japan and, in 1984, acquired Cali’co Hardwoods, the largest source of high-grade stock blanks, ensuring that American-sourced walnut met the quality standards of the shotguns. The imported Parker Reproductions primarily featured smaller bores, and while there were misconceptions about DHE 20-bores being fitted with 16-bore barrels as a set, Tom facilitated this customization upon request. He partnered with Krieghoff International to fit approximately 500 16-bore barrels to DHE 20-bore frames, manufactured in Germany and fitted by factory-trained gunsmiths in Pennsylvania. Tom's determination overcame production and sourcing challenges, resulting in a reproduction that matched, if not exceeded, the quality of the original Parkers. By late 1988, just five years after its introduction, about 12,000 Parker Reproductions had been imported into the U.S. However, on Christmas Eve 1988, Tom received the unexpected news that Kodensha would cease production of the Parker Reproduction by year’s end, along with the Winchester models 23 and 101. Ultimately, a total of 12,225 Parker Reproduction shotguns were imported into the U.S., according to Jack Skeuse, one of Tom’s four sons.
Contents:
This example will ship with the leather trunk case with canvas and leather cover and all other contents and accessories seen pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
