Top lever sticks when opening

[allen newell]

The top lever on a 12 ga DHE that i have is sticking when i try to open the gun up. Any thoughts on why?

[Bruce Day]

Change what you are shooting

[allen newell]

Not sure what you mean bruce. Change the gun? The loads?

[Bruce Day]

Change the cartridges . Sometimes it’s the brand , sometimes it’s the production run within the brand , sometimes reloads aren’t resized perfectly . The cartridge is usually the problem and the same cartridge may work fine in a different gun.

Much less commonly , clean the chamber if it’s gunked up.

[allen newell]

Ok, thanks.

[allen newell]

Bruce, the gun is with Dan Cullity who tells me it has to do with how the replacement barrels were fitted to this gun. Im not prepared to go into details but it will be an expensive repair. When Dan is done, I will provide a full report.

[allen newell]

Dan did say that whoever fitted the barrels to this DHE, it was not Parker, Remington or DelGrego.

[Bruce Day]

Ahhh. So that was the rest of the story!

Yes. Replacing barrels, rebluing barrels , re case coloring frames , not everything turns out as expected, or as nice as a well broken in but not abused Parker .

[allen newell]

You have that right. I think Dan called it a frankenstein barrel fitting. In any event, I'm waiting for his call to give me the estimate of repairs. Ill decide then if its worth the cost or just junk it.

[allen newell]

Here is part of the rest of the story but let me back up a bit. I bought the DHE from another member about 3 yrs ago I think. It was noted at that time that the titanic barrels on the gun were not original but had replaced the original Damascus barrels with these 31 inch barrels. I noticed at the time that the top of the breech fit slightly below the top of the face of the frame where they meet but the gun shot ok and I let it pass. Last yr I sent it out to Bachelders to have it cleaned. I shot it on trap for awhile after it came back and then I noticed that the top lever was starting to stick so I took it over to Dan Cullity in Sandwhich, Mass and who is about 9 miles from my house to take a look at it and tell me if it would be a simple fix or not. Dan is a world renown engraver and gunsmith. Dan, after evaluating it, says "its a Frankenstein fit" by whoever did this but it certainly was not Parker, Remington or DelGrego". He also noted that whoever did the fit also re-engraved the serial numbers to match the numbers on the frame and elsewhere. (I think by the way, there should be a law against doing this as in my opinion, it constitutes fraud.) In any event, Dan says too much metal had been removed on the barrel hook and elsewhere plus there were other issues, all expensive to repair. So,I put a wanted ad out and one of our members has offered to sell me a set of 30 inch frame 2 Damascus barrels in excellent condition with plenty of wall thickness, no dings, scratches, nothing that would compromise the barrels. Called Dan Cullity to have him hold off on any repairs till we see how well these Damascus barrels will fit up. These are 1902 vintage barrels, my DHE was produced in 1906 I believe. As long as there is sufficient wall thickness, I have no issue shooting Damascus and I'd rather be shooting a slightly shorter barrel set anyway. And this otherwise nice DHE came out of the factory originally with Damascus so this barrel change if it works would in spirit return it to close to the original as intended by Pafrker and I'm ok with that. The story will be continued.....

[allen newell]

Have located and purchased a nice set of DHE frame 2 barrels. Taking delivery of them this Thursday and then off to Dan Cullity's shop 10 minutes away. These barrels were made by Parker 3 yrs prior to the DHE they will be fitted to. They are clean and unmolested. I am hoping that Dan will assess that fitting will not be a major undertaking.

[Dean Romig]

Lucky guy!





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[allen newell]

The barrels are Damascus but I am told by the pgca mbr seller that there is plenty of metal. I will have Dan measure the thickness in any event. This DHE was originally produced with Damascus barrels and while these barrels are not original to the gun, returning the gun to more or less its original configuration is enough in spirit to satisfy me. And as long as the barrels are safe to shoot, I have no issue whatsoever. I would love to know the hack gunsmith who butchered the 31 inch titanic barrels and then falsified the serial numbers on those barrels.

[Dean Romig]

It is my opinion that Damascus, or most any composite barrels from a Parker or most any other American gunmaker, are as good as the fluid-pressed steel barrels they eventually adopted. Remembering the change took place because producing fluid-pressed steel barrels was a less labor intensive process (read cheaper) than composite barrels. Further, they have been shot with any number of heavy loads, both composite and fluid-pressed, that any rupture due to occlusions or flaws would have already happened. Certainly I would make sure the wall thickness is adequate, but all things considered, I have no fear of composite barrels.
Again, this is just my opinion.





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[allen newell]

Thanks Dean. See you Sat

[edgarspencer]

OK Allen, I have a problem with this story.
I took it over to Dan Cullity in Sandwhich, Mass and who is about 9 miles from my house
Then you further state:
Taking delivery of them this Thursday and then off to Dan Cullity's shop 10 minutes away.

So, Allen, how are you able to drive on the back roads of Cap Cod at over 54 MILES PER HOUR, and not break the law? Hmmm?

[Dean Romig]

See what I told you Allen....?





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[allen newell]

Yes Dean, understood.
Edgar, you're breaking my stones! Lol. I live quite close to the Canal and it really is not far for me to get to Dan's shop.

[Daniel Carter]

From Allen's house to the coffee shop is 7 minutes, from there to the end of the canal on the cape side to check for breaking fish is 9 minutes and then to the shop is 8 min. As he said it is 10 min. from his house.He travels no longer than 10 min. on any leg of the trip.

[allen newell]

Speaking of the Canal gents. The herring have been in the canal for a little over 2 weeks now. The striped bass should be showing up in numbers within 2 weeks. There are some bass in now but very spotty. In 2 weeks we will start to see some larger bass showing.

[Dean Romig]

The “Cows” are coming home.





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[edgarspencer]

Allen, My buddy lives on the canal road, and with the Sagamore bridge in between, I still don't know how you get to Sandwich in 10 minutes.
Dean, Shut up.

[allen newell]

Edgar, i live less than a mile or so from the Sagamore bridge. Once over the bridge, its not far to the exit to get to dans shop. Maybe 15 minutes. But lets not get too anal about all this. One thing for sure. Dan is alot closer than Bachelders. No offense meant.

[edgarspencer]

No Problem, Allen. Just having some fun, and I know how it pi$$es the heck out of Dean. Plus it gets his post count up.

[allen newell]

Be careful Edgar, I think Dean is shooting with us this Sat. He is known for hitting his targets. Lol

[edgarspencer]

Be careful Edgar, I think Dean is shooting with us this Sat. He is known for hitting his targets. Lol

I think he's shooting his new skeet gun. He won't want to get blood on it.

[Reggie Bishop]

Dean has a new skeet gun??

:corn:

[Dean Romig]

Come on up and shoot with us Reggie, I'll let you shoot it if you'd like. It's a 26" 28 gauge, SG, BTFE, ST, early Remington genuine Skeet gun.

Serialization book says.... V H 14 S 28 26





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[Reggie Bishop]

What a sweet sounding Parker 28! I would love to be able just to ogle it!

Now I understand why the other one is in the classifieds!

[Dean Romig]

What a sweet sounding Parker 28! I would love to be able just to ogle it!

Now I understand why the other one is in the classifieds!

Ogle away Reggie...

Some guy by the name of Spiller bought it at A&F in '43. I'm trying to find out who he was. It's been a dead end so far...


.

[Reggie Bishop]

That one is special!

[allen newell]

Congrats Dean. Looking forward to seeing it Sat.
Edgar, my gps tells me i am actually 18 minutes drive to Dan Cullity's shop. I stand corrected.

[edgarspencer]

Dean has a new skeet gun??

:corn:

That’s it Reggie. Stir the pot. Damn trouble makers

[edgarspencer]

Some guy by the name of Spiller bought it at A&F in '43.

Wouldn't that be something if it was Burt Spiller

[Dean Romig]

It’s not Burton L. but I’m wondering if he’s a relative.





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[allen newell]

Gentlemen, this thread has been highjacked.

[Mark Ray]

I bet Burt Spiller would know how to fix a sticky top lever!!!!:whistle::eek::bigbye::shock::):corn:

[allen newell]

He would and while shooting woodcock too