Barrel Weight Markings and Frame Size

[ed good]

if you weigh the barrels with the forend, it is surprising how close you sometimes come to the weight stamped on the barrel flat....

[edgarspencer]

Ed makes not only a good point, but one I can't believe I forgot to mention; The weight stamped includes the fore end.

[Eric Estes]

Well that all makes sense now. I had wondered that, seeing a similar difference on the other two I have that seemed to able to be filled in by the fore end weight. Thanks Ed and Edgar.

That leaves the remaining mystery of what the "13" signifies. Unless someone knows I suppose on this older gun before their markings became more uniform it could mean any number of things.

[Autumn Daze]

Yes it is true that 9 times out of 10 the barrel weight stamp is almost spot on when included with the forend assembly. But we know this is not the case. Its just a coincidence.

[edgarspencer]

Eric, I no longer have my copy of the TPS, but many on here do. It probably is noted in there. I would guess it's an inspectors mark.

[david weir]

Need to know if I can blue my Damascus. Barrel on.my 1878 parker

[Dean Romig]

David, why would you want to do that?

[Bindlestiff]

David,

I suggest you read and follow the links on this web page and look at how wonderful damascus barrels look. IMHO, blue has little to offer when compared to a damascus pattern!

http://parkerguns.org/pages/faq/DamascusTypes.htm

[Roundsworth]

Here is a photo of my 1877 vintage 12 gauge Lifter with 32" barrels. It also has '13' stamped on the right barrel.

[Bill Zachow]

I am sure that I have read somewheres that the 13 signifies the unfinished bore size on barrel blanks Parker purchased from Belgium or England. Parker would then bore and finish to 12 gauge.