Rib Width Question

[Bruce Day]

Here is a photo showing a pair of barrel ends. Note the rib width difference. Both are from DHE 20ga's, the top one being an original 24" from 1910 and the bottom being a 1927 32". However, I have a 28" 16ga with the narrow rib and a 32" 12 ga with the wide.

I have not seen any mention of rib width in the Parker literature, yet there are rib width differences. My research letters on these guns are silent about rib width.

Anyone have any information about this matter?

[John Truitt]

This is any interesting topic.
I have several examples of wide ribs, "normal width", and a very narrow.

My 34" 16 has the most narrow rib I have ever seen.
Some 30 "ers are very wide.

My only conclusion is somehow it relates to overall barrel weight. Just another way of achieving desired weight/ etc.

I will say I have seen more wider ribs on shorter barreled guns and the narrower ribs on the longer barrels just like your example above, Mr. Day.
Give me a day or three (more like till this weekend) and I will get some pictures of 30", 32", and 34" examples posted.

[Bindlestiff]

Yet another good Parker Pages topic! This is the kind of stuff that makes interesting reading. Until this thread, I didn't know that rib width was that much different.

[Opening Day]

That's a really good question .... It's something I never noticed before, like Robin said that would be a great article for the PP.

[Jeff Bonadurer]

Hi Bruce,
Very interesting indeed. Considering my new to me DH 20 I am curious to these rib dimensions. Please post the two width dimensions in inches. My damascus barrels from 1901 are 28" in length and the rib measures in width .530" at the breech end and .338" in width across at the brass bead.

Kind regards,

Jeff

[Double Play]

Originally Posted by John Truitt

My only conclusion is somehow it relates to overall barrel weight. Just another way of achieving desired weight/ etc.

I think John may have nailed it with his thoughts on balance and weight. The different width's might also be more visually appealing to the shooter while looking down the barrels at your target. It would be interesting to know if these various width ribs were specially ordered or just the result of Parker Brothers trying to meet the customers request for a certain weight gun?

[Dean Romig]

Two or three years ago we had quite a discussion here on this very topic. There were a good number of pictures posted by discussion participants and a lot of discussion ensued though I don't think we arrived at anything conclusive.

I'm sure someone could dredge up those old threads and link them right here.

[CHE]

They must have had quite a variety of ribs in stock. Also another one is the flat top rib versus the more common concave.

[Jean Swanson]

Dr. Truitt :

Take a picture of the rib on the VHE 34" with the odd ball forend . I called it the Parker with a railroad track rib . Allan

[Bill Murphy]

Can anyone produce a PGCA letter in which rib width or taper was mentioned? I can't recall one.