Parker Gun Collectors Association Forums  

Go Back   Parker Gun Collectors Association Forums Non-Parker Specific & General Discussions Damascus Barrels & Steel

Notices

Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
"Twist" vs. "Plain Twist"
Unread 10-27-2011, 06:59 PM   #1
Member
Jeff Mayhew
Forum Associate

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 103
Thanks: 130
Thanked 43 Times in 28 Posts

Default "Twist" vs. "Plain Twist"

Did some searching through FAQs and damascus websites, and probably am missing this information already recorded somewhere. If so, I apologize.

Can somebody explain the difference between "twist" and "plain twist?" I ask specifically in the context of Parker guns. At first I made the assumption that "plain twist" was a subset of "twist," but this cannot be true if, as the PCGA home page indicates, Parker made 5,122 "twist" barreled guns and 49,317 "plain twist" units.

Is there a difference in construction? The quality of the steel used? Both? Is it just a naming convention that changed (i.e. a distinction based on the words inscribed in the top rib)? Sounds like "twist" came first; is it inferior to "plain twist?"

Thanks in advance! And a general thank-you to all of the experts who contribute their expertise to this forum so generously.
Jeff Mayhew is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10-27-2011, 08:31 PM   #2
Member
Drew Hause
Forum Associate
 
Drew Hause's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,084
Thanks: 323
Thanked 3,761 Times in 1,245 Posts

Default

Most barrels marked Twist are "Plain Twist", also called "English Twist" (even if made in Belgium) and "Skelp" (if made in England; and Greener called them "Wire Twist")...unless they are "Stub Twist"...which are different
It's sorta one of those 'I know what it is when I see it' deals
See http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17227428
and https://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfg2hmx7_40dxk2scc7
and some of those "Twist" barrels could have been made by Parker
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfg2hmx7_1742r4n6vcz

Just don't confuse them with "Faux Twist"..............Sorry
Drew Hause is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Drew Hause For Your Post:
Visit Drew Hause's homepage!
Unread 10-27-2011, 09:49 PM   #3
Member
Bill Murphy
PGCA Lifetime
Member Since
Second Grade

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 15,521
Thanks: 6,118
Thanked 8,780 Times in 4,716 Posts

Default

I didn't even try to decipher Reverend Drew's links. I am tired from stacking wood and just can't do it. However, twist is twist in Parker shotguns, in my opinion. Unless you are as interested in details as much as Drew and I are, it just doesn't make much if any difference. Again, in my opinion, "twist" no matter what the exact description, is safe to shoot with proper loads if in good condition with good wall thickness.
Bill Murphy is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Bill Murphy For Your Post:
Unread 10-28-2011, 05:15 PM   #4
Member
Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)
PGCA Member

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 296
Thanks: 177
Thanked 1,925 Times in 202 Posts

Default

"Twist Barrels" include several different variations and qualities. The best quality Twiwt seems to be "English Twist", made in Belgium. These tubes exibit the highest wire count with the least Butt welds. Baker used these tubes extensively.
Parker twist barrels are very high quality. The lower wire count was compensated by barrel wall thickness.
A major factor that we consider in rating twist quality is annular pitting. When pitting follows the weld lines it would indicate to me poor welds or lower quality Iron. This type of pitting is prevelant in stub twist and lower quality tubes.
The major manufacturers used the best quality, lesser manufacturers poor quality tubes. You got what you paid for.

Brad
Brad Bachelder is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Brad Bachelder For Your Post:
Visit Brad Bachelder's homepage!
Unread 10-28-2011, 07:08 PM   #5
Member
Drew Hause
Forum Associate
 
Drew Hause's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,084
Thanks: 323
Thanked 3,761 Times in 1,245 Posts

Default

"You got what you paid for."

Well said and THAT would be the bottom line - pattern welded barrel quality should be evaluated based on the quality of the gun.
Drew Hause is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Drew Hause For Your Post:
Visit Drew Hause's homepage!
Unread 10-28-2011, 08:35 PM   #6
Member
Jeff Mayhew
Forum Associate

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 103
Thanks: 130
Thanked 43 Times in 28 Posts

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Drew Hause View Post
"You got what you paid for."

Well said and THAT would be the bottom line - pattern welded barrel quality should be evaluated based on the quality of the gun.
Thanks guys. This is consistent with a conversation I had a while back with a collector friend of mine (who is far more knowledgeable about these old guns than I am) about whether my old coach gun could be safely fired with light BP shells. After some discussion about barrel composition & thickness, bore conditions and lockup, he asked "What make of gun is it?" When I said "Parker" his response was "Oh, then you shouldn't have any problems with it."

Once again, my appreciation for your expert input. Great forum!
Jeff Mayhew is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10-28-2011, 09:41 PM   #7
Member
Roundsworth
PGCA Member
 
Mark Landskov's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,452
Thanks: 1,513
Thanked 561 Times in 311 Posts

Default

Here is an example of Baker twist on my 1893 'New Baker' 10 gauge.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Baker 5.jpg (92.3 KB, 5 views)
__________________
GMC(SW)-USN, Retired
'Earnest Will'
'Desert Shield'
'Desert Storm'
'Southern Watch'
Mark Landskov is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10-28-2011, 09:45 PM   #8
Member
Roundsworth
PGCA Member
 
Mark Landskov's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,452
Thanks: 1,513
Thanked 561 Times in 311 Posts

Default

These are 1877 (possibly Parker-made) 'Plain Twist' barrels restored by Mr. Bachelder.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 008.jpg (429.4 KB, 14 views)
__________________
GMC(SW)-USN, Retired
'Earnest Will'
'Desert Shield'
'Desert Storm'
'Southern Watch'
Mark Landskov is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Mark Landskov For Your Post:
Unread 10-28-2011, 11:30 PM   #9
Member
charlie cleveland
PGCA Member

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 12,986
Thanks: 0
Thanked 7,787 Times in 3,967 Posts

Default

mighty nice pattern on them barrels no wander every body back inolden times bought those prety guns..... charlie
charlie cleveland is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10-29-2011, 01:47 PM   #10
Member
Jack Kuzepski
PGCA Member

Member Info
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 326
Thanks: 366
Thanked 176 Times in 116 Posts

Default

Brad,

How would you rate Parkers Stub Twist barrels?

Jack Kuzepski
Jack Kuzepski is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:04 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 1998 - 2023, Parkerguns.org
Copyright © 2004 Design par Megatekno
- 2008 style update 3.7 avec l'autorisation de son auteur par Stradfred.