Steel shot special ID?

[Rod N. Gunn]

An "American Rifleman" article (sorry no date) states the barrels are 12% heavier with corresponding extra weight in the butt. Bores oversized to .733 with choke diameters of .721 and .726 providing .012 and .007 constrictions. The gun they examined weighed 7lbs 6 oz.

[Joe Bernfeld]

Thanks, Dean, me too! Jared, according to the full color, fold-out Parker Reproduction brochure (and several other brochures and newsletters I have), listed under Standard Features is: "Chrome barrel interiors". The Steel Shot Specials all have "SS" in the serial number. They did not have heavier frames, and to my knowledge had the same barrels as the ones made later that were not designated SS. My Steel Shot Special weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz. with a beavertail and pistol grip; my non-SS special weighs 7 lbs. 2 oz. with a straight stock and splinter forend so I don't see how the barrels could have been much heavier. Also, mine is choked .009" and .012" (marked IC/Mod). I have a letter (2/9/1988) from Paul Jaeger where the Steel Shot Specials were sold from (Dunn's), and it states that they are built "on a frame size of 1 1/2" and mentions all of the options available, including a weight of 7 1/4-7 1/2 lbs., with no mention of any frame reinforcement.
Joe

[Wild Skies]

Originally Posted by Dave Fuller

An "American Rifleman" article (sorry no date) states the barrels are 12% heavier with corresponding extra weight in the butt. Bores oversized to .733 with choke diameters of .721 and .726 providing .012 and .007 constrictions. The gun they examined weighed 7lbs 6 oz.

I've got a copy of that AR article, too; Dave. They (AR) reported different bore diameter and choke constrictions than what the authors reported in TPS for the SSS. Wonder who's right, or are they both wrong? I guess it really doesn't matter---unless you're one of us anal types!