Rust blueing

[Keith Doty]

Garth, I asked about the weep hole and was told this insured there wasn't any residual moisture between the ribs and barrels to set up rust later. If the solder seal is 100% perfect when barrels were assembled and had remained so this would never happen but evidently it's not always so. I have seen a number of reblued Parker barrels where this was done.
As to the barrel flats, this gun, which I believe to have been all original, was that way when I purchased it. I have seen this before on what I believed to be original barrels, but I could be wrong, not an expert. I have some that the fore end lug is polished off on the bottom surface as well. It is my belief that the instant you reblue, refinish, or in any other way change the gun it is no longer original. My interest in the gun is as a hunter/shooter who loves the quality and feel of the Parker, hand craftsmanship from a bygone era. To me the only thing better than a fine vintage gun in the field is a box full of puppies!