Non-Parker barrels?

[Channing Greene, Sr]

I have a Parker 12ga double barrel, 26" barrels. When I had it evaluated recently, I was told that the barrels were not the originals. The serial numbers differ and the current barrels are Special Steel and Vulcan. The serial number of the actions begins with 984..; There is also a stamped "May 7-Oct 9.1889".
I need to clarify whether the barrel change, if there was one, was done by Parker, or whether Parker produced shotguns in this serial # range with other-than-Parker barrels.

[Dean Romig]

If Parker Bros. had added or changed barrels they would have numbered the barrels to the serial number of the frame.

Please post the full serial numbr of your gun's frame and the numbers of each set of barrels.






.

[Bill Murphy]

How did you determine that your Vulcan and Special Steel barrels are not Parker barrels? Maybe you should link to the discussion.

[Channing Greene, Sr]

The serial number of the receiver is 94867.
The number of the barrel set is 222130. The "3" in the number is not clearly stamped. I do believe it is a "3" rather than an "8".
In rechecking the barrels, the following is stamped along the rib: "PARKER BROS.MAKERS.MERIDAN.CT.U.S.A. VULCAN STEEL".

[Channing Greene, Sr]

I had taken the gun to Cabela's to get an evaluation of the value of the gun. Their position was that the barrels are not authentic Parker barrels, unless I can get some authoritative information that Parker had either installed them originally, or more likely, that it was a change for repair.

[Rick Losey]

If you could post some pictures of the markings it would help

From the sounds of the rib markings they are Parker barrels just not original to the gun

From the serial numbers it may be a composed gun, the barrels fitted by some one other than Parker

Some folks may think that not all of Cabela's gun experts are such

[Bill Murphy]

OH! Cabela's. That explains it all.

[Channing Greene, Sr]

Putting it all together, it appears that my gun, at some point in time, had the original barrels changed, and presumably not by Parker. Possible culprit: my father's brother was a machine shop owner and a gunsmith. But why would he change? Original barrels damaged? Change from 16 or 20 ga?(Can that even be done and keep the original action?) Unfortunately both individuals are long-deceased, taking the secret with them. I do know that Dad was quite successful in partridge population control in Vermont in the early '30s, using this weapon.
Assuming the gun is in good condition, which it is, can anyone give an idea of the price range it would bring?

[Bill Murphy]

Some pictures of the gun, serial number stamps, and barrel and action flats will tell us a lot about its originality. Obviously, the 222,000 barrels were not installed at the factory, but are factory barrels, most likely. You haven't even told us whether the other set is stamped with the original serial number or not. Pictures will give us clues about the general fit of the barrels and forends to the action.

[keavin nelson]

Yes, just last weekend I had one of their gun room "experts" try to tell me there was a screw you could turn to tighten a parker up!!!!!

[Channing Greene, Sr]

Checking more closely I found the markings along the rib, which included the words "VULCAN STEEL". I should have seen that before I took it in for evaluation. In essence, I have a 12ga shotgun which has a Parker action, serial numbered, and a set of barrels, also Parker marked, but with non-matching serial number.
Since this is not a "complete" Parker, how does this affect the value of the weapon?
I have no idea why the barrels may have been changed without a change of numbers. Is there any source which would show that it had been returned for some reason, resulting in new barrels with new numbers?

[Rick Losey]

new barrels fitted by Parker would have the same serial number

if fitted by Remington/Parker the number would still be the same - and a repair code as well

since the numbers are different the barrels were fitted by someone else so - unless you know who- the why is lost to history

value is of course affected

the serial number is early enough someone may have replace composite barrels, there should be a letter by the serial number on the action.

what is that?

[Jack Cronkhite]

Yes, just last weekend I had one of their gun room "experts" try to tell me there was a screw you could turn to tighten a parker up!!!!!

I'm sure many have tried to find that screw. Pretty sure most think this simple cap must be the elusive tightener. So few unturned, so many buggered.

[Russ Jackson]

Just twist that big one there with a very large Driver ,that ought to do the trick !!!!!! :rotf:

[Bill Murphy]

I am amazed. What do people thing they will find behind that screw? Of course, I have seen several early Lefevers that have had the front of the forearm pried off, apparently with a big screwdriver or tire iron, because they didn't understand that the button on the middle of the forend is the forend latch.

[greg conomos]

It's a primal instinct, when faced with a screw, to see what happens when you turn it. If it were a button, people would push it.

[Rick Losey]

It's a primal instinct, when faced with a screw, to see what happens when you turn it. If it were a button, people would push it.

at least you cannot bugger it up by pushing :rotf:

[wayne goerres]

Depends on what you push on it with.

[Bill Murphy]

Redneck machine work is entertaining, if not what we would like to see in our own guns.

[Channing Greene, Sr]

With the SN of 94867, there is the #"2" stamped over the "8" and the letter G stamped under the "8".
Also the forend has the same serial #, 94867, stamped on the metal portion.

[Jerry Harlow]

Just twist that big one there with a very large Driver ,that ought to do the trick !!!!!! :rotf:

When the barrels won't come off they think it is like the old single barrels that have a screw that comes out to disassemble. I bought a GH with a messed up screw and the guy told me that is how it happened. He never got the barrels off. I should not have told him how to get them off and would have gotten it even cheaper.

[greg conomos]

There are so many good jokes one could make, none of them appropriate....