DH 12ga Two barrel set.

[John Powers]

I just came across a 12ga DH with two sets of barrels. On 30" and the other 26". Letter indicates ordered with both. Barrels are exceptional with 98% black and White finished Damascus with about 40% case. Made in 1897. My question and sorry if asked before, but do we have an idea of how many guns ordered with multi barrel sets Parker made at the time of order? Not one that was later fitted with another set of barrels. Thanks.

[Rich Anderson]

I don't know if there is a record like that. I have a GHE 16 ordered with two sets of barrels both 28 inches. One is skt/skt the other M/F. At one time I had a GHE 12 trap/skeet two barrel set so they are out there but how many were produced at the outset I have no idea. I didn't find anything in TPS that noted it.

[Bill Holcombe]

That is a heck of a gun John. I believe the discussion in the past has been that they were more common in damascus guns than in fluid steel guns, but they were never common.

2 barrel sets.

[Rich Anderson]

I don't think they are that uncommon. I have one and have had several others over the years. In all honesty I don't get much use out of the second set of barrels. The afore mentioned GHE 16 I have had for over 10 years and the M/F barrels have never been on the gun. An upgraded AAHE 28 has a second set of barrels from James Purdy that are M/F and I can count the times on one hand they have been on the gun.

[Bob Hayes]

I just recently found a DH with two sets of barrels ordered.Unfortunately the 2nd set are missing.First set are full/full and second set were ordered cylinder/cylinder.Damascus barrels both and its a 1903 gun.Serial number is 119728 if anyone comes across those barrels.

[Bill Murphy]

To answer your question, the Serialization Book has a code for "extra barrels". It is "1".

[Richard Flanders]

I have a near new condition original 1-1/2 frame VH12 2-bbl set, 26"/30"... both F/F of all things. I think the 3-1/2" DAH is what has kept the gun in such good condition. I like a fair bit of drop but that's a tad too much for even me. Sure is pretty though! If I had a nice D grade 2-bbl set that fit me I'd likely just get rid of everything else.