Barrels

[Brian R Skeoch]

I have a #1 frame, v grade Parker that is in need of a set of barrels. Outside of the gun auctions where might I look for a reasonable priced set?

[OH Osthaus]

here, I would guess that Parker barrels show up in our members only for sale forum at least if not more often than the auction sites. You would need to join as a PGCA member to see that and other members only areas, plus- you get a discount on letters and a great magazine

also "reasonable priced" is subjective, there are only so many Parkers that get parted out, its the old supply and demand

[B. Dudley]

A set of 1 frame barrels will be less common to find than other sizes. The most commonly found frame size is 2 frame in 12g.

Keep in mind that all barrels need to be fitted. And it is a total crap shoot as to how much work is needed. Bring a VH, and if in 12g, it may not be cost effective to put another set of barrels onto it. But do some looking and see what you can come up with.

[edgarspencer]

Steve Barnett had a bunch of barrels, but I can't say whether he still does.

[Brian R Skeoch]

Thank You, will look at Steves.

[BRDHNTR]

Brian, I have an extra set of Frame #1 Damascus barrels that I purchased from Larry F. to complement the 34 inch Damascus barrels on my 1884 Parker GH. The extra barrels fit ok except that I noticed the dolls head is not completely flush with the top of the frame but is maybe 1/16 of an inch above the surface. The barrels do lock up however. Does this mean that the underside of the dolls head needs to be filed down slightly to bring it flush or does this indicate another part of the barreled action requires some fitting?

[edgarspencer]

Is the dolls head preventing a no-gap fit at the watertable, or is the water table fit, as it should be, metal to metal ?

[Dean Romig]

If the gun locks up properly then the doll's head isn't preventing anything at all. For a proper fit the gun needs to be sent to a good smith to file the doll's head (concave) to a perfect fit then re-engrave it and refinish it to match the rest of the rib.

[edgarspencer]

That was kinda my point. The dolls head isn't a true 'third fastener'. What is important is the fit at the breach face and water table, and is the bolt fully engaging.

[BRDHNTR]

Thee is no gap Edgar/Dean at the water table. It locks up tight, it's just that the dolls head is slightly elevated when closed. Right now Brad has the GH and the original barrels for some restoration work. The second barrel set is less important to me right now but may have it worked on down the road. My main thrust is to have the GH cleaned up first, then figure out the rest later.