New collector safety question

[Frank Wilson]

I've recently acquired a 1903 Parker 16 ga 0 frame with mirror bores that ring nicely and locks up very tight on face. I bought it at the Tulsa Gun Show and the seller had never fired it but thought it to be in sound mechanical order. My question is whether a new owner of one of these old doubles should ALWAYS have the gun inspected by a qualified gunsmith before shooting or is it really necessary if there are no obvious signs of problems? As always, thanks for the great advice from this forum!

[John Campbell]

Mr. Wilson:
The critical eye of an experienced double gun 'smith is never a wasted precaution when it comes to a newly acquired gun. But he must be familiar with doubles. Not "black rifles" etc.

That being said, if the gun appears original and in good order, it is probably OK to shoot. The barrels are key. If no pits, thin walls, lengthened chambers are in evidence, you're probably OK to shoot.

[John Dallas]

Generally, folks are unwilling to give an "OK", in the unlikely event that you shot the gun, and it blew up, causing damage to you or the gun, and the next call you receive is from an ambulance-chasing lawyer

[Frank Wilson]

I completely understand and thought of that as I submitted the question. I probably should have framed the question in the context of soliciting advice on danger signs to look for or issues that might not be readily apparent to the untrained eye like barrel wall thickness, pitting etc... Just not aware of any gunsmiths in my neck of the woods that are noted experts in old doubles. If there are I would sure like to get to know them.

[Bruce Day]

George Caswell in Enid knows his guns.

[greg conomos]

It's really a situation where you are probably better off doing nothing other than shooting the gun with proper shells.

A gunsmith won't be able to do much unless he disassembles the gun...and when he does that he'd better be a top-shelf gunsmith of he'll do more damage than good. Every time a Parker's screws get turned something is lost.

Then again...if you are concerned still I'd recommend finding a guy who can measure the wall thickness of the barrels. That's probably the one area where an unknown gun could have an issue that is hidden to the naked eye.

[Bill Murphy]

A barrel micrometer and a barrel wall thickness gauge are about $90.00 each. Most gunsmiths don't even own them or know how to use them. However, you should own them and know how to use them.

[Frank Wilson]

Thanks gentlemen. I do have a few boxes of the RST light loads on the way. I will have to put a set of barrel, chamber and choke gauges on the Christmas list since this affliction doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon.

[Bruce Day]

I wish I had known all this before I shot cases of Federal , Remington and Winchester loads through my old Parkers, both fluid steel and Damascus. I would have been worried.

Here is what some believe is a heavy load.

[Rich Anderson]

Although Mr. Day shoots heavy loads through HIS Parkers and fortunately has done no damage to the guns...yet remember this, your gun is over 100 years old and if it's been properly taken care of you will be fine. THE WOOD is also over 100 years old and as a natural product it has a tendency to become oil soaked especially at the head of the stock. using heavy modern loads can weaken the stock causing it to split. You have a light gun there and a wonderful combination of 16ga and the 0 frame. Shoot the proper load for today in your gun like the RST 7/8 or even 3/4oz loadings and you'll break targets and take your share of birds. Properly taken care of your gun will outlast you.

[Frank Wilson]

Planning on sticking to the 3/4 oz #7 1/2 shells. I figure they should get the job done for clays and dove this fall and be easier on the shoulder AND the Parker. Really looking forward to shooting this gun.

[Daryl Corona]

I have to agree with Rich. I have shot the same loads that Bruce shoots through his guns, but I'm telling you that those 1oz. loads in my O frame 16's kick the snot out of me. 7/8oz. are nice but the 3/4oz. loads are just a delight to me and the gun. I still cringe when I read where someone wants a recipe for a 1 1/8oz load for his 16. Ouch!

[Bill Murphy]

I shot the 2 1/2 dram equivalent, one ounce, game loads for years, still have about two dozen flats that will be sold at my estate auction. I'm not shooting them at a great rate. Depending on wall thickness, I will continue to shoot those, or, if wall thickness is not robust, I will reload 3/4 or 7/8 ounce loads at 1200 fps or less. The Lovely Linda recently inherited a boatload of 16 gauge Super X and Remington Express 1 1/8 ounce loads, as well as a few boxes of rifled slugs. I have no idea what to do with them. They are nice fresh shells, all early plastic.

[Daryl Corona]

Bill,
You keep on mentioning your estate sale. Is there something you would like to tell us about your health? As always I hope you are in the best of health but... I do plan on being at your funeral. And if the auction of your estate is held on the same day, well I guess you know which one I will attend.:)