Dean, I measured and inspected this gun like I do all of them. The length of the chokes are what made me feel comfortable about the barrels being the original length. Early Philadelphia Foxes have nice long chokes that can be 4 inches or more. The chokes in this one do start about 4 inches back and taper from back to front like they should. If it had ben cut somewhere besides the factory, they wouldn't be that long. Unfortunately, the later Savage era Foxes don't typically have chokes this long. I've got several Sterlingworths with factory chokes that are closer to 2 inches in length. I guess you could say it was an "educated chance" that I took. Much like the Parker serialization book, it's nice to have access to the order cards to validate my assumptions.
Tom, the gun still sports the original 13 3/4 in LOP with the White Line pad. I'm considering replacing the pad with one of the current Silvers pads that are available. I'm closer to a 14 1/4 in LOP, but after shooting it the past two weekends with a jacket and my hunting vest on, I actually haven't minded the shorter length.
Daryl, I'll have quite a few to drag to the Southern this year. If I get my way, I'd like to be toting a nice 12ga Parker Hammer Gun by then. It's next on my wish list after seeing so many at the Fall Southern.
David, I think I was just meant to have this gun. I usually show up at the shows first thing in the morning when I can, before the "low hanging fruit" is snapped up. In this case, my wife was running in a race that Morning, and I couldn't make the show until about 2:00 on Saturday. The dealer said that a few people had looked at it, and three others inquired about buying it while I was standing there taking my measurements. I was certainly surprised to see that it lasted that long on the table.
Mike
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"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks." - Thomas Jefferson
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12-18-2012, 06:57 PM
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