Several Parker Questions.

[Dale Medders]

Recently acquired a 12ga Trojan made in 1914.
I have 2 sets of non matching barrels. One TROJAN steel made in 1920 choked Mod and Full
One Damascus set made in 1891 choked Cyl and Im Cyl
Previous owner has shot both barrels a fair amount with modern shells.
I have shot the steel barrels.
I would like the option of the more open Damascus barrels
I am not going to shoot the Damascus barrels with modern shells until I get the wall thickness measured.
Do I need to get the walls measured on the steel barrels?
Were the steel barrels from 1920 for blackpowder or modern powder?
I read here that 2 3/4 in shells are OK to shoot in these.
Any input will be appreciated.

[Mark Ouellette]

Dale,

Welcome to the PGCA forum.

Please heed the advice that I and other very knowledgeable persons in the SxS community provided you on the Doublegunshop.com forum:

http://doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=334249&page=1

Be safe!
Mark

[Dale Medders]

Well as you can see from my inquiry I have heeded the advice from the other site.
I appreciate your help.
Thank you,
Dale

[Brian Dudley]

Are the Damascus Barrels fitted to the Trojan? If so, the dolls head rib extension would have had to been removed or at least modified.
Being your Trojan was made in 1914, it most likely has the rounded rib extension.
Post pics if you can.

The Damascus barrels are surely shootable with low pressure shells if the bores are good and the wall thickness checks out.
Also, check the chamber length as well.

Fluid steel barrels would have been introduced for the New smokeless powders being introduced at the turn of the century.

[Bruce Day]

By about 1891-2, Parker was proofing and patterning all guns with smokeless powder.

See below for a typical patterning tag for a circa 1904 12ga, calling for 1 1/8oz at 3 dre load ( 37 grains). The diagonal red wording calls for smokeless ( nitro) powder.

If I did not feel comfortable shooting the original patterning load in a particular gun, I would not own it.

[Dave Noreen]

I have just been reviewing some old UMC Co. catalogues. I see no mention of smokeless powders for shotshells in the 1889 and 1890 catalogues. In the July 1891 catalogue they offer their factory loaded shells with American Wood or Schultze powder.

[Dave Noreen]

I have recently been reviewing some UMC Co. catalogues and price lists. No mention of smokeless powder for shotgun shells in 1889 and 1890, but the July 1891 catalogue offers their shells loaded with American Wood or Schultze smokeless powders in addition to black powders.

[Dale Medders]

Well Brian the Damscus barrels go on and have that nice click sound when you shut em.
I am not too knowledgeable and do not know Dolls Head from Red Head.
The chambers were opened up for 2 3/4.
Thank you

[Dale Medders]

And if the wall thickness is OK what do you consider a low pressure round?
Thank you

[Dean Romig]

Generally under 8,000 p.s.i. but some people wouldn't go that high.

[Bruce Day]

Parker's use of smokeless powder came in with the chambering of the new hammerless models in 1889. If a person looks at and measures the earlier chambers, they will notice the inner step intended for the brass cartridges. These brass cartridge cases could be loaded with black only, however, that does not mean that guns chambered for brass cartridges could be used only with brass, or for black only. If a person looks at and measures the barrel profile of Parker barrels made during the black era, they are thicker and less tapered than those made during the smokeless era. This is in keeping with the significantly greater initial pressure of black over the more progressive burning smokeless. During the 1890's, barrels became lighter and more tapered. I believe this was because the characteristics and advantages of the new smokeless powders became better known.

1895 Parker catalog:

[Bruce Day]

And by 1892,many organized shoots had converted to smokeless powder and were providing the new smokeless cartridges to entered shooters.

[charlie cleveland]

that last posted picture is a dandy.. charlie