16 Gauge "PH" question

[B. Dudley]

You know what... I am going to go out on a limb here and say that this is a V grade gun that was upgraded or customized into a P grade. One begs to differ, why? But who knows. Or maybe it was a Parker Lunch Box Gun.
- The engraving that is of P grade pattern but poorly done and not Parker quality or exactly the correct style.
- The water table has been restamped. Not once, but twice. The font is not correct or matching of the S/N and the "PH" stamping is not correct.
- The gun books as a different Grade with a different grip and a different guage.
- Other things such as the barrel fit are also suspect. The barrel fit may be due to 16g. barrels being fitted to a 12g. frame? Also the barrel lug stampings look not quite right or should I say too fresh. I would be curious to see what the barrel S/N stamp looks like.

On a side note, the book specs are interesting... 27" length. Thats different. And the serial number after it has the same exact specs as this gun.

[Dean Romig]

In my opinion there is so much misinformation being posted on this thread and some disparaging remarks about Mr. Hamm's Parker, I think it best that we all wait until a research letter is procured and if there are members who continue to 'disbelieve' then an in hand inspection of the gun may yield more accurate information than a few pictures can provide.

In the meantime, thank you Mr. Hamm for providing us all with some thought-provoking information and pictures.

[Edward Hamm]

I think I'll take a cue from Mr Romig and order up a research letter. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts. I will most certainly post whatever I learn once the letter is in hand.

[Edward Hamm]

Actually, one more question...really basic. How do you measure the barrels?...from the breach to the end of the barrel or with a round in the chamber and then from the froward end of the round to the end of the barrel? I did the former.

[Dean Romig]

Right from one end to the other.