Parker Hang Tags

[John Allen]

Guys,I just wanted to let you know there are 6 Parker hang tags just listed on gunbroker.They are for serial numbers 117233 and 181314.Both are VH 16ga. The owner wants $210 for all.The GB item number is 685140457.Looks like a reasonable price,especially if you have one of the guns.I don't have any stake in them.I am just passing the word on.

[Researcher]

They didn't last long!!

[Researcher]

Interesting tags.

117233 (circa 1903) was one hefty 28-inch barrel 16-gauge at 7 pounds 4 ounces. And what is with the 2 1/2" and 2 5/8"? Were they just bracketing the "standard" 2 9/16 inch 16-gauge shell? Schultze was actually a bulk smokeless powder and should have been given in drams. 30-grains of Schultze is equal to 2 1/2 drams according to the table in my August 1903 UMC catalog.

166803 (circa 1913) a 32-inch 16-gauge that weighs the same 7 pounds 4 ounces.

181314 (circa 1918) a 32-inch 16-gauge that weighs 2 ounces more. Chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells and targeted with a load a quarter dram hotter than our ammo factories offered in those days.

Note the warning on all three tags "Brass shells should never be used with nitro powder."

[StubTwist]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

Note the warning on all three tags "Brass shells should never be used with nitro powder."

Just curious.... what was Parker's reasoning in warning people to not use nitro in brass shells?

[Researcher]

Not sure, but here is the same warning in a 1903 Baltimore Arms Co. catalog --

Recommended Loads May 1903.jpg

[J. A. EARLY]

Originally Posted by Frank Cronin

Just curious.... what was Parker's reasoning in warning people to not use nitro in brass shells?

With no crimp against the chamber area to seal the gasses, wouldn't it be blowback into the breech due to higher pressure or even splitting brass allowing gas to escape? Just a guess.

[John Cinkoske]

Thin walled brass cases could allow a larger diameter payload? Just a guess here... Will a wad cut for a brass case still fit in a paper case?

[Researcher]

In the early days of cartridge shotguns we had the A and B brass cases. One for use in guns chambered for brass cases and one for use in guns chambered for paper cases. By the mid-1880s that degree of finesse seems to have dropped by the wayside, I guess covered by the flexibility of shotgun wads.