Question for you Parker experts.

[Craig Larter]

I have a 12ga Parker ( yes 12ga!) that letters with 2 7/8" chambers, #3 frame. It was patterned with #1 shot which seems very unusual, 68 pellets count fo r both barrels at 40 yards in a 30" circle. It has bores of .740/.742 with chokes of .037/.040. Oversized bores but still full plus chokes. The gun went to Jamestown North Dakota in 1916. The gun is high condition--- was Parker overboring 12ga guns during this time period?? What say you??

[John Truitt]

I have had several 12 gauges that miked at 740 bores.
All of these are documented competition guns and have 2 7/8" chambers.

These were 34" guns.

I have also had 34" guns that were close to 729 bores. (both 2 5/8 and 2 7/8" chambers). But these are not provenance comp guns like the others.

Dates were anywhere from 1915 to 1927.


Hope this helps.

PS check your wall thickness to make sure all is well.

So to answer your ? I say yes they were. I don't know if upon request or other. I am by no means an expert.

[Brian Dudley]

I would consider any overbored guns before the 1920s to be normal.