How may A-1 Specials??

[Donovan Kirkpatrick]

Does anyone know how many A-1 Specials were mfg in the various gauges. I see Steve Barnett has one in 12 ga. and I think that is the only 12 ga I have seen in the years (7) that I have been looking at Parker Reproductions. I just looked at "TPS" and it said 350 in all with 150 being standard engraving and I suppose the others were engraved to customer specs. Do you all shoot those things or are they just for looking at.

[Reproman]

Dave Fuller posted this information on the previous forum when the same question came up in '07. It doesn't have the breakout by gauge but you may find this useful:

DHE 28 Ga - 3500
DHE 20 Ga - 5800
DHE 12 Ga - 1800
DHE 12 Ga SS - 350
DHE 12 Ga SP Clays - 125
DHE .410 Cal - 11
BHE 28 Ga - 7
BHE 20 Ga - 100
BHE 12 Ga - 100
BHE .410 Cal - 9
A-1 Factory Engrav. All Ga.s - 150
A-1 Custom Engrav. All Ga.s - 300
A-1 28/.410 Combo - 16
Plus 150 16 Ga barrell sets that fit on the 0 frame

[Bill Murphy]

That's a great list, but we probably need a little more clarification on the 16 gauge situation. How many went on guns, how many were sold off as barrels, how many were retrofitted on 20 gauge guns, who made them, how do we tell the difference between the Skeuse 16 gauge barrels and the Galazan 16 gauge barrels, who made the Galazan barrels? Who is making the present Galazan barrels? Who is the person today who could write a definitive book on the Repro? Any ideas?

[Reproman]

Well we can answer two of the questions anyway. Who made them and how they can be identified....

[Bill Murphy]

Nice job. Anyone have similar pictures of the Galazan Merkel barrels?