Parker Pages

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Mark Conrad

So an extra set of barrels for an A1S was $250 and an extra set for a VH was $25. And, they were the same barrels less the engraving. Wow, you can see where the profit was.

Mark, the highest grade Dave had available for analysis was Titanic, so I wouldn't make the assumption Acme and Peerless were necessarily the same specification.

[edgarspencer]

I'd like to add a thought that has been bothering me since Dave first called me to discuss the results he had gotten back.
It wouldn't be necessarily correct to make the assumption, based upon the chemistry alone, that the lower grade barrel steels were essentially the same, or fell within the same specification.
Part of the process in making steel is achieving the chemical analysis of the melt, while still in the furnace, so that it meets that portion of a specification. Another equally important portion of the manufacturers ability to meet a specification is to also heat treat the material so that it meets the physical requirements. These requirements, at a minimum, include Yield Strength, UTS (Ultimate Tensile Strength) Elongation, and Reduction of Area. These requirements are determined by heat treating with the product, a test bar from the same melt, then machining the test bar to the requirements of one of the several profiles used in Tensile Testing Machines. Varying the temperatures of heat treatment, and the method of cooling from those temps, can make one material, whose chemistry meets a plain scoop of vanilla, to a butterscotch sundae, with whipped cream, nuts and a cherry.
Our larger melt furnaces had capacities of 40,000 lbs. When the furnaces were tapped, into a ladle (hung from a 50 ton overhead crane) garden variety castings were regularly poured from the same heat as propulsion turbine cases for GE Steam Turbine. one casting may have a selling price of $2.50/lb, and another, $10, or more. There is a lot that goes into the processing of steel beyond simply meeting a chemical analysis.
Its unfortunate Dave didn't have samples of a sufficient size to also do physical testing.

[Autumn Daze]

Mark, We were only able to test samples up to Titanic Steel.If I ever get samples of Acme and Peerless they will be tested also.

Another thought that popped into my head after the article was sent to Dean was. Could Parker Bros. have decided to label the barrel steel type by the degree of finishing they perfomed on the finished barrel set? We know that as the grades went higher so did the degree of barrel finish. Just food for thought....

[Wild Skies]

It has often been stated that Parker Reproductions were better than Parker Bros. guns because they used modern steels. Wouldn't it be enlightening to know if Parker Repro steel was truly better and have them analyzed, too?

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Greg Baehman

It has often been stated that Parker Reproductions were better than Parker Bros. guns because they used modern steels. Wouldn't it be enlightening to know if Parker Repro steel was truly better and have them analyzed, too?

Remington was using chrome moly barrels on those Parkers made in Illion,but it isn't as though the repro makers had a choice as all barrel tube makers use chrome moly today. Better? Not sure that
s the word I'd use. Reliability issues for the numbers made don't support it, and they certainly have their wood issues. Until I bought my GHE 28, I was considering a repro 28, so now, I don;t think swapping any of my Parkers for any gauge/grade repro would happen.

[Wild Skies]

Originally Posted by edgarspencer

Remington was using chrome moly barrels on those Parkers made in Illion,but it isn't as though the repro makers had a choice as all barrel tube makers use chrome moly today. Better? Not sure that
s the word I'd use. Reliability issues for the numbers made don't support it, and they certainly have their wood issues. Until I bought my GHE 28, I was considering a repro 28, so now, I don;t think swapping any of my Parkers for any gauge/grade repro would happen.

Ooops, it looks like I touched on a touchy subject. Forget about the suggestion of testing Repro barrels as the findings might not yield the preferred results for some.