Quality DH 16/30 SN 79,472

[Bruce Day]

1893 gun.

Some like Damascus barreled smallbores. I've shown it with a box of the type of shells I shoot through my 16's.

Its always nice to find an early gun that is still in good condition with at least some case colors, bluing, barrels bores shiny and not bored out and original chokes.

[Erick Hodge]

I just purchased a very similar gun and it has some issues (Barrel dents near muzzle and several more in the thickest area in front of the chambers that protrude into the bores, rusted to the point that some engraving detail will be lost after rust removal, traces of case colors on water table, faded original browning, some moderate pitting) One spot in the right barrel may be 23 thousandths. It is a 16 gauge DH on a "0" frame and has thirty inch Damascus barrels, 14" length of pull, and letters with its factory sling swivels. I am in my inspection period and I can still return it. Can you help me determine if I should keep it? I would have already let it go back but it handles like a wand and fits me well.

[Erick Hodge]

It has extractors and double triggers.

[Jay Gardner]

Beautiful gun. I have a DH 16/28 that could be its twin. How are the deminsions?

[Bruce Day]

Eric, that is not a question I can answer without detailed photos, or better yet, the gun in hand. Ultimately, a good barrel smith is the best person to inspect and remove the dents.

I do know that most dents can be removed and the barrel made as good as new. Two people come to mind, Brad Bachelder and Dale Edmonds. For wall thickness issues, Robin Lewis has an excellent article in the latest Parker Pages.

Jay, this is a 1 frame 16, 30" , DAH 3", thick barrels so it weighs at 7lbs. Nice tight Damascus evenly matched for each barrel and between barrels. Original bore ID with a stamped weight of 4lbs 3oz, and I'd guess the wall thickness to be in the high .030's. Shoot this one heads up and about any load a person wants to stuff in. The Parker records for 16's show a load of either 7/8 or 1oz at 2 1/2 drams , but this one could take a lot more than others I have seen. Some of those old boys must have liked heavy loads.

[Jay Gardner]

Thanks Bruce. Mine is a #1 frame but is weights just over 6-lbs. I feed it RST paper 2-1/2" loaded with 7/8 oz of 7, a good load for grouse. Shooting "heads up" is a lost art that I have trouble mastering (except when I need to get my head down and then it comes naturally).

The D's of this era that I have seen have all been fine guns with beautiful tight damascus, descent engraving and very nice wood.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n308/Doublegun_2006/16gaDH1.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Doublegun_2006/media/16gaDH1.jpg.html)

[Bill Murphy]

Erick, can you post pictures of your gun and letter, especially pictures of the sling swivels?

[Rich Anderson]

I picked this up about a year ago. Dh 16 0 frame 26 inch bbls factory choked IC/F. About 90% case color and great on Pheasants and late season Grouse using RST 2 /2 shells.

[Dennis E. Jones]

OK guys I'm green with envy and envy is a sin. I've been lusting for a G grade or better sixteen with open chokes for several years. Parkers of any gauge or grade are not common on the West coast and you are adding fuel to the fire with little hope of putting it out.

[Erick Hodge]

Bill,
I will be happy to. I don't have the gun with me right now. It is currently in the care of Jim Kelly at Darlington gun works to have the dents removed. I can get pictures the next time I make it to Darlington. How rare and/or desirable is a gun like this? It is perfectly balance and points like a wand.

Thank you,
Erick