Lifter Dilema

[78CJ]

For a long time now I have been wanting to give a hammer gun a try. I am pretty flush on 12 gauges and was really only interested if it had high condition or was a higher grade. I saw this one for sale last week and figured for the price and the fact it was a grade 3 I'd give it a try. I am not a fan of cut barrels but I gave that a pass too. Book says 30" ad said 26"

Can't get the MWT measured until Monday. I ordered a letter and must say Mr. Bishop is rather quick sometimes. The letter is rather lengthy. This Parker has been returned to the factory 4 times. Twice as a trade for another gun. The fourth time was to "make shoot". The most interesting was the third time to make "10". Now I know it is not unusual to have guns re-barreled but it calls into question the originality of the barrel lengths. I measure the ends of the bore with my calipers and sure enough I get around .760. Additionally, a 12 gauge shell drops right past the extractor.

So, this has to be a 10 gauge. The ends of the barrels do not touch exactly but.....with an unstruck barrel weight of 4'4 I can't imagine they were very long to begin with?

My dilemma, I have no desire to own a 10 gauge but I might just have to change my mind if the walls are thick enough!