The earlier thread I refer to can be found here -
http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthr...workers&page=2
This continuation is strictly for the purpose of information regarding Parker-made composite barrels.
In regard to the pictures I posted in that thread, specifically the second picture showing a D-grade lifter photographed by the people at James D. Julia Auctions.
This particular Parker currently resides in my safe and although the Laminated Steel barrels seem to have been refinished at some point we can easily see that the composite pattern of one barrel is quite different from the other, which is not especially uncommon, but that the barrel tubes are definitely formed by hammer welding two tube sections together, each approximately 15" long, to form one barrel. This is clearly illustrated in pictures 3 and 4 which show the difference in weld pattern front to rear. This is serial number 18719 and was made in 1880 and the left barrel flat has the
P stamp which many of us believe signifies the high probability of their being Parker-made barrels.
All of this evidence seems to add up to this particular gun having Parker-made Laminated Steel barrels.
This is from the research letter I received just days before the auction.
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Hello Mr. Romig,
Parker shotgun, serial number 18719, was ordered by the Simmons Hardware Co. of St. Louis MO on April 21, 1880 and shipped on August 31, 1880. According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 8, it was a $140 Dollar Grade, Lifter Action Hammer Gun, 16 gauge. It featured Damascus steel barrels with a length of 27 inches.
According to Parker Bros. Stock Book No. 7, the barrel steel was Laminated 3. The stock configuration was a pistol grip and its specifications were: Length of Pull: 14 ¼”, Drop at Heel: 3 ½”, Weight: 6 pounds and 4 ounces. The chokes were patterned RH modified and LH full.
According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 8, the gun was returned on October 20, 1880 by the Simmons Hardware Co. to put on a rubber butt. The gun was to be returned to D.W. Williams of Clarksville, TN. The price was $5.00. According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 9, the gun was returned on August 2, 1881 by D.W. Williams to take out dents and rebrown, make perfectly clean inside, and tighten up hammers. The price was $5.00.
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