Buying & flying with a new Parker

Larry the Gun Guy · 07-09-2015, 12:38 PM

Speaking of traveling with guns, I found this one last week up in the Northwest on one of my business trips. The guy that owned the gun store said he had had it about six weeks and it was getting tough to keep from showing it to anyone else. Thank goodness for the instant check system, I was able to complete the buy and make the plane. I know it’s not an AHE but it's a great little 28" VHE that hasn't been messed with.

The one thing about this gun is it says on the right barrel, near the breach, "for standard velocity only" See the 5th picture down.

Has anyone ever seen that on any other Parker?

It was made in 1929 and I have to say it survived the last 86 years pretty well.

Bindlestiff · 07-09-2015, 12:43 PM

Wow, great find! Congratulations. I guess it pays to stop in the random gun shop to just look around for guns like this one!

B. Dudley · 07-09-2015, 01:13 PM

The marking on the breech end looks to be added after the fact as a safety disclaimer of some sort. Then barrels re-blued after it was done.

Double Lab · 07-09-2015, 01:52 PM

Interesting barrel stamping. Very nice gun.

Harry Collins · 07-09-2015, 02:10 PM

Are their any proof marks on the barrels? Looks like something the Brits would do>

Researcher · 07-09-2015, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Has anyone ever seen that on any other Parker?

Yes.

Larry the Gun Guy · 07-09-2015, 02:30 PM

Here are the barrel flats and they have the typical Parker markings on them.

Dave, do you think this is a factory thing or after market?

Harry Collins · 07-09-2015, 02:48 PM

Is it a 20 gauge on an O frame with 28 gauge inserts? My 28 was an early 1900 0r so Parker on an O frame. It is my remembrance that Parker went to OO frames for 28's before the serial number on your Parker. Either way, it is a beautiful gun with dual capabilities. I am happy for your good fortune.

Kindest,
Harry

Researcher · 07-09-2015, 03:52 PM

I know that marking was pictured somewhere, but I'm not quite up to thumbing through every issue of Parker Pages to find it. As I remember it was on a 1-frame 12-gauge of about the same era as this gun.

Bob Brown · 07-09-2015, 11:14 PM

Dave, are you thinking of a Parker pictured in a DGJ article on American made lightweight 12 gauges? It had a 1/2 frame VH with the warning stamped on the barrels. It was quite a few years ago. Too many volumes to thumb through to find it, but someone with the index may find it. I didn't know they had it on 20s as well. Outstanding gun by the way, Larry.