Chances of finding Parker Trojan barrels??
 

What are my chances of finding a replacement set of barrels for my 12 gauge Parker Trojan? I have had it posted in the Parts for Sale section for a while now with no luck. It seems after I had the gun almost completely refinished I found that both barrels have holes in them from a botched attempt at installing a sling swivel to the lower rib sometime in the past (NOT ME). If you want the entire story about this it can be found on the other double gun forum.

My only real options are to find replacement barrels or purchase Briley inserts. So if finding a set of replacement barrels in like finding a needle in a haystack, it may be worth just buying a set of 20 g inserts and being done with it. I have had some say just "shoot it as is" but that just does not seem safe to me.

So for the Parker specialists, what are my actual chances?

You would probably have better luck just finding a Trojan with decent barrels but with other issues that would make it affordable.
Does yours have the rib extension?
You could even buy a set of decent fluid steel barrels from another grade and have them fitted with the Trojan forend lug and the correct rib extension (or remove it to fit a Trojan frame that is not inletted for the rib extension, depending on which style you need) but this could run into more than the gun would be worth.

If there's nothing else wrong with the barrels then you could probably have the holes TIG welded shut and shoot it just fine. I've heard of this being done but have no personal experience.

DLH

Keep an eye on Gunbroker and Auctionarms, I see trojan barrels for sale once in a while. I bought an extra set a couple years ago for my 12 trojan.
Jeff

The barrel does not have a rib extension. I though about having it tig welded bu the cost of pulling the barrels apart, welding it and relaying the ribs would be very expensive.

You have to decide how much the gun is really worth to you. The best option would be looking for a beat up Trojan with decent barrels. At gun shows these guns when encountered go for <$1000. Even on Auction Arms or Gunbroker they occassionally show up. Compared to VHs however Trojans are not that common. Then of course you must have the barrels fitted and likely blued...and only Trojan barrels will suffice due to the dolls head or lack there of and the fore end latch.Sometimes bad luck intervenes (and I have been in these situations) restorations go awry and a gun must be retired.That's why it is so important to accurately assess the soundnes of any old gun before spending $$$ on it especially the barrels on an old double. What ever you do don't shoot it. Trojan just aren't worth spending a lot of money on in any case with all the graded Parkers about but that's just MHO. Good luck

In my rather limited sample of watching sales of Parker Bros. steel barrels on the various auction sites I've never seen a sound set go for less the $600 and more often in the $1200 to $1800 range. I think I sold a set of 32-inch 20-gauge barrels to Murphy way too cheap!

P.S. I have not recorded a sale of a set of Trojan barrels.

Murphy may disagree with you on that point . . .

The next owner of those barrels was happy with them, but the pits were too much for me.

Who wouldn't be happy with a 32 inch 20 gauge? Heck even I'd like to have one.

DLH