Non-Parker barrels?

[Channing Greene, Sr]

I have a Parker 12ga double barrel, 26" barrels. When I had it evaluated recently, I was told that the barrels were not the originals. The serial numbers differ and the current barrels are Special Steel and Vulcan. The serial number of the actions begins with 984..; There is also a stamped "May 7-Oct 9.1889".
I need to clarify whether the barrel change, if there was one, was done by Parker, or whether Parker produced shotguns in this serial # range with other-than-Parker barrels.

[Dean Romig]

If Parker Bros. had added or changed barrels they would have numbered the barrels to the serial number of the frame.

Please post the full serial numbr of your gun's frame and the numbers of each set of barrels.






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[Bill Murphy]

How did you determine that your Vulcan and Special Steel barrels are not Parker barrels? Maybe you should link to the discussion.

[Channing Greene, Sr]

The serial number of the receiver is 94867.
The number of the barrel set is 222130. The "3" in the number is not clearly stamped. I do believe it is a "3" rather than an "8".
In rechecking the barrels, the following is stamped along the rib: "PARKER BROS.MAKERS.MERIDAN.CT.U.S.A. VULCAN STEEL".

[Channing Greene, Sr]

I had taken the gun to Cabela's to get an evaluation of the value of the gun. Their position was that the barrels are not authentic Parker barrels, unless I can get some authoritative information that Parker had either installed them originally, or more likely, that it was a change for repair.

[OH Osthaus]

If you could post some pictures of the markings it would help

From the sounds of the rib markings they are Parker barrels just not original to the gun

From the serial numbers it may be a composed gun, the barrels fitted by some one other than Parker

Some folks may think that not all of Cabela's gun experts are such

[Bill Murphy]

OH! Cabela's. That explains it all.

[Channing Greene, Sr]

Putting it all together, it appears that my gun, at some point in time, had the original barrels changed, and presumably not by Parker. Possible culprit: my father's brother was a machine shop owner and a gunsmith. But why would he change? Original barrels damaged? Change from 16 or 20 ga?(Can that even be done and keep the original action?) Unfortunately both individuals are long-deceased, taking the secret with them. I do know that Dad was quite successful in partridge population control in Vermont in the early '30s, using this weapon.
Assuming the gun is in good condition, which it is, can anyone give an idea of the price range it would bring?

[Bill Murphy]

Some pictures of the gun, serial number stamps, and barrel and action flats will tell us a lot about its originality. Obviously, the 222,000 barrels were not installed at the factory, but are factory barrels, most likely. You haven't even told us whether the other set is stamped with the original serial number or not. Pictures will give us clues about the general fit of the barrels and forends to the action.

[Keavin Nelson]

Yes, just last weekend I had one of their gun room "experts" try to tell me there was a screw you could turn to tighten a parker up!!!!!